Stephen Fordham V is a CFA® charterholder and holds a Series 63 license with 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2011. Outside of advisory work, he is involved in managing rental properties through a property management company. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a large national network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Larsen Wharton is an Investment Solutions Representative III at Fidelity Investments, a role held since 2026. Larsen has been with Fidelity since 2021, progressing through various positions including Investment Solutions Representative II and I, High Net Worth Service Associate, and Customer Relationship Advocate. This progression reflects extensive experience in client-facing roles within the investment solutions domain. In this capacity, Larsen collaborates with clients to understand their financial goals and develop strategies to support informed decision-making. Larsen leverages both personal experience and Fidelity's resources to assist clients in navigating their financial journeys. Outside of work, Larsen's interests include beach activities, family engagements, outdoor adventures, parenthood, and skiing.

Michael Irvin is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. Before joining Edward Jones in 2026, he worked at several firms including Equitable Advisors, Compass Insurance Advisors, and Philadelphia American Life Insurance Company. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with Staff-1 Services Group, providing support staff and guest services for events. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Andrew Mc Ilvain is a financial advisor at Cetera with nine years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Prior to joining Cetera in 2024, he worked at ADP LLC and ADP Broker-Dealer Inc. He is also a senior retirement services consultant at Financial Directions, LLC, providing consultative services on qualified retirement plan design and employee education. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser serving a broad client base including individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and consulting services through a nationwide network of independent advisors, utilizing a multi-manager platform with various program options and custodial relationships.

Dylan Howard is a financial advisor at Fidelity with four years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. His work history includes roles at Fidelity Investments and United Textile Distribution, as well as a six-year period at Frank Howard's Backhoe Service prior to entering the financial industry. Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company, offers investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management. The firm utilizes a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to deliver model portfolios and oversees affiliated sub-advisers with an emphasis on governance and compliance.

Samuel Bogaczyk is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with eight years of industry experience. He is currently with LPL Financial and has held prior roles at Coastal Federal Credit Union, CUSO Financial Services, Merrill, Bank of America, and Yadkin Bank. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a board member for the nonprofit Overflowing Hands, Inc. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management solutions, including model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Mark Brackett is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Chapel Hill, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 46 years of industry experience. His career includes tenures at Bank of America, N.A. and Merrill before joining Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC in 2020. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a variety of advisory programs and tailored financial planning services supported by structured discovery and firm-approved tools. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and provides advisory services that often incorporate scenario modeling and planning but leave implementation and updates to clients.

Michael Ray is an Investment Consultant at Fidelity Investments. He serves as an advisor and foundational point of contact for clients seeking to build trusted relationships. Michael prioritizes understanding clients' goals to develop tailored financial plans and investment strategies aimed at pursuing their lifelong objectives. He has held multiple roles at Fidelity Investments, including Workplace Planning Associate in 2024, Workplace Planning Consultant I from 2024 to 2025, and Workplace Planning Consultant II from 2025 to 2026. This progression reflects his growing expertise in workplace planning and investment consultation. Outside of his professional work, Michael has interests in fitness, food, football, golf, lake activities, and traveling.

Douglas Richmond is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 52 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously spent 27 years with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation. Richmond is also engaged as an insurance agent offering accident, health, disability, and life insurance products. OSAIC is a large wealth management firm serving retail and institutional clients through a multi-advisor platform, providing brokerage and advisory services. Its investment approach centers on model-based asset allocation, portfolio optimization, and a variety of managed account programs supported by risk analysis and rebalancing tools.

Sheri Lofton is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Merrill, based in Raleigh, NC, and has 18 years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill since 2008 and concurrently at Bank of America, N.A. since 2011. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program to Bank of America fiduciary clients. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Robert Alger is a CFP® with 26 years of experience in financial advising. He is associated with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. and has operated his own firm, Alger Financial, since 2012. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse clientele including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm emphasizes tailored, non-discretionary planning and consulting using risk profiling and analytical tools, and supports both wrap-fee advisory programs and institutional portfolio management.

Susan Ledford is a financial advisor at Merrill with 37 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and has been with Merrill since 1989, also working at Bank of America since 2011. 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 clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Heather Green is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Chapel Hill, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and having 10 years of industry experience. Her prior firms include Stifel Nicolaus & Co Inc and SunTrust Advisory Services. She is also commissioned as a North Carolina Notary Public. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and investment advisory offerings, including financial planning and portfolio management. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services and utilizes proprietary research and model-based asset allocations to tailor client solutions.

Meghan Porter serves as a Resident Director at Merrill, where she focuses on wealth management for high-net-worth individuals, their families, and businesses. Her role involves delivering investment insights, banking convenience, and lending solutions through Bank of America, while leveraging a global network of specialists to support clients in navigating today's changing financial markets. Meghan emphasizes a goals-based wealth management platform to develop and personalize financial strategies that align with clients' life priorities and aspirations. With a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Trust and Wealth Management from Campbell University, Meghan is a CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). She assists clients with estate planning, investments, wealth transfer, retirement income, and services related to defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Her expertise extends to institutional investment consulting, legacy planning, employee benefits, portfolio management, and strategies tailored for women and wealth. Beyond her professional commitments, Meghan is active in the community as a board member for the North Carolina Educational Scholarship Fund and a member of the Junior League of the Palm Beaches. She resides in Cary with her husband and enjoys music, family time, and traveling.

Todd Gaertner is Vice President and Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2021. He has been with Fidelity since 2007, progressing through multiple positions including Financial Consultant, Investment Consultant, Financial Representative, and Retirement Investment Services. His career in financial services dates back to 1993, with experience in stock brokering and trading at various firms such as First Hanover Securities, M S Farrell, M H Meyerson, Schwab Capital Markets, and Cummins Financial. Throughout his career, Todd has worked extensively in financial consulting, investment consulting, and retirement investment services, leveraging a comprehensive background in trading and market making. He collaborates with clients to develop personalized financial plans aimed at aligning with their needs and long-term goals while enhancing clarity and confidence in their financial decisions.

Antoinette Russell is a financial advisor at Fidelity with a Series 66 credential and one year of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at Lenovo, Greene Resources, Abrigo, ArchiveSocial, and Best Buy. Outside of advising, she operates an e-commerce business with Amway Vitality Essentials and participates as an Amazon Associate. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, utilizing a combination of proprietary fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to develop model portfolios from mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.

Matthew Desocio is a financial advisor at Fidelity with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Fidelity since 2021, with prior employment including roles at East Carolina University and Jaguar Land Rover of Raleigh. Fidelity's Strategic Advisers LLC, where Desocio is affiliated, provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including registered investment companies. The firm uses a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage discretionary and non-discretionary portfolios.

Joseph Vicars is a financial advisor with Merrill in Chapel Hill, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 45 years of industry experience. He has worked at Bank of America, N.A. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. since 2011. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Stephen Reed is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Chapel Hill, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 25 years of industry experience. He has been with UBS since 2015. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through a range of brokerage and investment advisory offerings, combining institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services and utilizing proprietary research and model-based asset allocations to tailor client plans.

Brian Reynolds is a CFP® with 26 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Osaic since 2025. He spent 25 years at Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp prior to joining Osaic. Reynolds is a board member of the Be The Rainbow Foundation in Apex, NC, which supports pediatric cancer families, and he also participates in his church’s finance committee. Osaic Wealth serves a broad mix of retail and institutional clients, offering brokerage and advisory services through a multi-advisor platform. The firm emphasizes model-based asset allocation and portfolio optimization and supports a diverse range of investment programs, retirement plan consulting, and alternative investments.