Megan Otlowski is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Virginia Beach, VA, holding a Series 66 designation and 16 years of industry experience. She has been with Ameriprise and its affiliate since 2012. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service designed for individuals approaching or in retirement who meet specific asset criteria, providing detailed written Recommendation Reports that cover income sources, Social Security options, and tax-smart withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis in a centralized consulting approach, serving clients primarily through Ameriprise-managed accounts.

Jeffrey Basik is a financial advisor at Cetera with 38 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. He has been with Cetera Advisors LLC since 2013 and recently joined Cetera in 2024. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as treasurer for the nonprofit Haven of Hope International, is a board member and finance chair for Hope Seeds, and chairs the finance and missions teams at Tree of Life Church. He is also involved in various community organizations including the US Military Academy Selection Board. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser that serves individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of over 10,000 advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services using multi-manager platforms with discretionary and non-discretionary program options.

Oksana Golovenets is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has prior work experience at Piraeus Bank ICB, Certis Solutions, and Randstad. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice primarily to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach and constructs portfolios mainly from Vanguard funds and ETFs, offering a range of customization options and managing a high volume of client relationships through its digital platform.

Sharon Miller is a financial advisor at Merrill with 30 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 certifications and has been with Merrill since 2009. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a board member for Trinity University’s Board of Visitors, participating in initiatives related to student body diversity and faculty recruitment. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Zachary Reece is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 66 and Series 63 designations with five years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Fidelity Investments, Merrill Lynch, and Lotus Investment Strategies. Vanguard Advisers provides both automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and retirement plan participants, using a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach that incorporates proprietary models and primarily Vanguard funds and ETFs. The firm serves a large client base through a combination of digital platforms and advisor teams.

James Burt is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 16 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016, following roles at Intl Advisory Consultants Inc. and Synergy Investment Group, LLC. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting services. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions, relying on research and analytics to support investment decisions.

David Henkel is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial in Huntersville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 21 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and Pinnacle Financial Partners. Outside of advisory work, he manages a rental property listed on VRBO in Davidson, NC. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional investors. The firm emphasizes tailored, non-discretionary planning and analytical tools to support client goals and maintains specialized programs in municipal advisory and SIMPLE IRA employer consulting.

Nicholas Aube is a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2023. In this capacity, he collaborates with clients and their Financial Consultants to develop and implement financial plans tailored to clients' evolving goals. Nicholas has been with Fidelity Investments since 2021, gaining experience in various roles including Relationship Manager, High Net Worth Service Associate II, High Net Worth Service Associate, and Customer Relationship Advocate. This progression reflects his familiarity with client service and support within the financial sector.

Kathy Day is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 35 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 63 designation and has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016, with prior experience at Wachovia Bank NA starting in 2002. She is based in Charlotte, NC. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs more than 14,000 advisors and manages approximately $671 billion in assets, offering both brokerage and advisory solutions.

Matthew Vargochik is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and accumulating three years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Better Mortgage, Ally Bank, Randstad, Angel Oak Home Loans, and Wyndham Capital Mortgage. Vanguard Advisers serves retail investors and employer-sponsored retirement plan participants through a combination of automated and human-supported investment advice. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach using proprietary models to create personalized portfolios primarily invested in Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Alexander Hoffman is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers, holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and bringing five years of industry experience. He has been with Vanguard since 2021 and previously coached hockey at Pineville Ice House. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans, using a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach that emphasizes personalized asset allocation and broad customization options.

Bennett Brooks is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 credential and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill, he worked at LPL Financial and has an extended background connected to Clemson University in various roles. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of individual and institutional clients.

Michael Fayed is a CFP® professional with 27 years of industry experience, currently serving at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors since 2018. His prior experience includes roles at Summit Financial Group, Capital Guardian Wealth Management, and Raymond James Financial Services. He serves on the boards of the Boys and Girls Club of Gaston County, the Heart Society of Gaston County, and the Gaston Community Foundation. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a wide range of individual and institutional clients, including pension and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, investment management, retirement-plan advisory, and wrap-fee programs. The firm manages a multi-billion dollar asset base through thousands of financial professionals and provides access to multiple platforms, third-party advisers, and proprietary model strategies.

Jose Amaya Crespo is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and three years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at the Internal Revenue Service, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, and Fidelity Investments. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven investment approach with portfolios primarily composed of Vanguard funds and ETFs, offering customization options and tax-aware features.

Patrick Casey is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with five years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing, Wells Fargo Bank, and Robinhood Financial. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with LSC Property Management, LLC as a landlord and owner. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach to portfolio construction, primarily using Vanguard funds and ETFs, and manages a high volume of client relationships through a combination of technology and advisor support.

Christopher Bryan is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in assisting business owners, executives, and successful families. He focuses on retirement planning, exit planning, tax-smart wealth strategies, employee benefit plans, alternative investments, and liquidity management. Drawing from over 30 years of experience across corporate accounting, mergers and acquisitions, commercial real estate, retirement planning, and wealth management, Chris brings a comprehensive perspective to his clients' financial and business challenges. Chris holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Finance from Rutgers University and is a Certified Public Accountant. His professional designations include Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Certified 401(k) Professional (CkP), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He collaborates closely with clients' CPAs and attorneys to coordinate tax, estate, retirement, and exit-planning strategies, emphasizing proactive, year-round planning to improve financial outcomes. Outside of his professional role, Chris serves as Treasurer of Project 440, an organization dedicated to mentoring young musicians and promoting financial literacy among underserved youth and families in the Philadelphia region. He shares his time between the Philadelphia and Los Angeles markets, serving clients across 21 states.

Xavier Rigail Checa is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with nine years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Wells Fargo since 2015, including positions at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm that provides investment advisory, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting services to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions.

Janay Donaldson is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 11 years of industry experience. She holds Series 65 and Series 63 designations. Prior to joining Ameriprise, she worked at LPL Financial, The Vanguard Group, and TIAA. Outside of finance, she is involved with Harold's Chicken and Ice Bar. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a specialized Premier Retirement Income service focused on retirement-income planning through written recommendation reports and ongoing advice. The firm uses proprietary research and third-party data to support its recommendations, which emphasize tax-aware withdrawal strategies and dependable income sources.

Joseph Haney is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial with one year of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked with Thompson Wealth Group and at Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Outside of his advisory role, Haney is associated with Thompson Wealth Group as a non-investment related support advisor. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. offers financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional entities. The firm emphasizes tailored, non-discretionary planning using analytical tools and supports municipal and public-finance work through a unique municipal advisor affiliation.

Bryan Labadia is a Certified Financial Planner® with 15 years of industry experience, currently serving at Vanguard Advisers. His career includes roles at The Vanguard Group and TIAA, and he has entrepreneurial experience through Labadia Enterprises LLC and Legacy Moto Apparel. Vanguard Advisers provides goal-based, algorithm-driven investment advice to retail investors and retirement plan participants, combining automated digital platforms with human support. The firm manages a large client base using proprietary models and a broad range of Vanguard funds and ETFs.