Ryan Thomsen is a financial advisor with First Oak Wealth Management, LLC in Raleigh, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has 15 years of industry experience. Thomsen previously worked at Great Lakes & Atlantic Wealth Management and Oak City Consulting, LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he has ownership in a rental property business. First Oak Wealth Management provides financial planning, investment management, and consulting services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, charitable accounts, and trusts. The firm manages approximately $316 million in discretionary assets and employs a diversified investment approach supported by an outsourced chief investment officer and AI tools for operational support.

Erin Tackett is a financial advisor at Tackett Wealth Management, LLC with 16 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and has been with the firm since 2009. Tackett Wealth Management serves primarily retirees and small business owners, managing approximately $62 million in client assets across about 50 relationships. The firm provides investment supervisory services, wealth management, and financial planning using an investment approach grounded in academic research, emphasizing small-cap and value equity exposures, broad diversification, low-cost funds, and tax efficiency.

Linda Lewis is the sole advisor at Lewis Financial Management, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 29 years of industry experience. She has worked at The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. since 2013 and has been with Lewis Financial Management since 1984. Outside of her advisory work, she hosts a radio program, "Money Matters with the Lewis Family," on WPTF AM 680, where she answers listener questions on various financial topics. Lewis Financial Management provides comprehensive financial planning and investment advice to individuals, couples, retirees, widows, and small business owners. The firm employs a research-based, long-term buy-and-hold investment approach with semi-annual portfolio reviews and focuses on non-discretionary advice tailored through a personalized financial planning database.

Taylor Holloway is a financial advisor at Ridgeline Wealth Advisors, LLC with 11 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Merrill, Jennifer Torrey, and Northwestern Mutual Investment Services LLC. Ridgeline Wealth Advisors provides discretionary asset management, financial planning, retirement-plan consulting, and IRA rollover advice to individuals and plan sponsors. The firm manages $189 million in assets for approximately 200 clients, emphasizing a long-term, diversification-focused investment approach grounded in efficient market principles and factor considerations.

William Hesmer Jr. is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with over 13 years of industry experience. He is currently with Oak Harbor Wealth Partners and Hesmer Wealth Management LLC, where he has worked since 2021 and 2026, respectively. Prior to joining Oak Harbor, he spent eight years at Raymond James & Associates. Outside of finance, Hesmer serves as a consultant to the disciplinary committee for the United Soccer League. Oak Harbor Wealth Partners is an SEC-registered investment adviser specializing in portfolio management, financial planning, and ERISA consulting, with a focus on institutional and retirement-plan services. The firm employs diversified model portfolios and third-party manager oversight as part of its investment approach.

Samantha Muncy is a financial advisor at Evergreen Wealth Advisors with 22 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at Edward Jones for 18 years and Public Holdings, Inc., where she served as Head of Customer Experience. Evergreen Wealth Advisors provides discretionary investment management and financial planning to individual and corporate clients, utilizing a Modern Portfolio Theory framework combined with tax-optimization strategies. The firm also operates a public-facing AI platform, Evergreen.ai, which offers general education and personalized advice to Registered Users.

Cristy Head is a financial advisor with Independent Wealth Advisors, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. She has been associated with Independent Wealth Advisors since 2024 and has prior experience with LPL Financial. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved with Said and Done LLC, a business she has maintained since 2007. Independent Wealth Advisors, LLC provides portfolio management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients through its Strategic Wealth Management platform. The firm uses a combination of analytical methods and a dedicated Investment Committee to develop and monitor model portfolios, offering both discretionary management and comprehensive financial planning.

Caleb Griffith is a CFP® professional with 14 years of industry experience, currently serving at Townsend Asset Management Corp. in Raleigh, NC. He has been with Townsend since 2006, contributing to a firm that manages a range of clients including individuals, trusts, corporations, and non-profits. Townsend Asset Management Corp. provides investment management, financial planning, consulting, and tax preparation services, offering a bundled wealth management approach that integrates these under a single engagement. The firm employs a disciplined, goal-oriented process utilizing both fundamental and technical analysis to manage primarily long-term portfolios, with additional strategies including short-term positions and limited options.

Malachy Joyce is a financial advisor at Based Capital Wealth LLC in Durham, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with two years of industry experience. She is also the CEO of iBC Holdings LLC, a data analytics company operating as Stocklabs, which provides financial and technical data on companies. Additionally, Joyce creates monetized financial commentary on X (formerly Twitter), earning a small portion of her income from this activity. Based Capital Wealth LLC provides portfolio management services to individual and high-net-worth clients, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary account management. The firm focuses on equities, fixed-income securities, and ETFs, employing a range of analytical methods and strategies including charting, fundamental analysis, and options trading.

Paul Yokabitus is a financial advisor at Cary Financial Planning, LLC with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and also serves as an owner and attorney at an estate planning law firm, which he has been involved with since 2018. His prior experience includes roles at Mariner Platform Solutions, NC Planning, and Stephenson Law LLP. Cary Financial Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, business owners, and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs a long-term, evidence-based investment approach focused on diversification, cost control, tax awareness, and disciplined rebalancing, utilizing mutual funds, ETFs, and factor-based funds, supported by technology including AI-assisted tools.

Matthew Scuderi is a financial advisor at Capital Financial Advisory Group, LLC with three years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Foundations Investment Advisors and Equitable Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, he is also active as an insurance producer, reviewing and proposing insurance and annuity solutions. Capital Financial Advisory Group serves individuals and families preparing for retirement, including high-net-worth households, small pension plans, and charitable entities. The firm provides customized financial planning and advisory services, referring clients to third-party asset managers for portfolio management while also distributing insurance and annuity products.

David Clark Jr. is a financial advisor with Oak Harbor Wealth Partners in Raleigh, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Oak Harbor Wealth Partners in 2026, he worked at Stifel Financial Corp and Croatan Investments. Oak Harbor Wealth Partners is an SEC-registered investment adviser specializing in institutional and retirement-plan consulting, offering services such as portfolio management, financial planning, and ERISA fiduciary oversight. The firm emphasizes plan-level consulting and uses diversified model allocations and third-party manager oversight in its investment approach.

Joel Anderson is a financial advisor at Evergreen Wealth Advisors in Raleigh, NC, with eight years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Values Added Financial, Ameriprise Financial Services, Wells Fargo Clearing, and served eight years in the United States Navy. Evergreen Wealth Advisors provides discretionary investment management and financial planning to individual and corporate clients, including high-net-worth individuals. The firm utilizes a Modern Portfolio Theory framework with tax-optimization techniques and incorporates proprietary software and AI tools for portfolio monitoring and advice delivery.

James Tarkenton is a CFA® charterholder with seven years of industry experience. He has worked at Townsend Asset Management Corp. since 2018 and previously spent nine years at Lateef Investment Management. Townsend Asset Management Corp. serves individuals, trusts, partnerships, corporations, non-profits, and retirement plans, offering investment management, financial planning, consulting, and tax preparation services. The firm employs a disciplined process combining fundamental and technical analysis to guide portfolio management and provides both standalone services and bundled wealth management engagements.

Katherine Alepa is a CFP® with 10 years of experience in financial planning. She is currently with Ithaka Financial Planning, LLC, where she has worked since 2017. Her prior experience includes six years at Financial Planning Group, Inc. Ithaka Financial Planning, LLC serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, personal trusts, and estates with integrated financial planning and ongoing portfolio management. The firm uses Modern Portfolio Theory to design diversified portfolios, primarily favoring open-end index funds and ETFs, and offers occasional pro-bono educational seminars and workshops.

Troy Smith is a financial advisor with Wake Wealth Management Co. in Raleigh, NC, holding the CFP® designation and Series 63 and 65 licenses. He has 37 years of industry experience, including roles at LPL Financial, Grove Point Investments, and as an independent insurance agent. Outside of advising, Smith is active as an artist and musician. Wake Wealth Management Co. provides financial planning and investment advisory services to individuals, families, trusts, charitable organizations, foundations, endowments, and other institutional clients. The firm emphasizes written financial plans and primarily delivers advice on a non-discretionary basis, employing a variety of investment strategies tailored to client-specific plans.

Bryson King is a financial advisor at Capital Financial Advisory Group, LLC, holding a Series 65 credential. He has two years of industry experience, including prior roles at Capital Financial and Insurance, LLC, Zunzibar, and Duckworth's. Capital Financial Advisory Group serves individuals, families, businesses, charities, and small pension clients with financial planning and advisory services. The firm refers clients to third-party managers and pooled investment products, focusing on customized financial plans and ongoing portfolio monitoring without taking custody or direct discretion over assets.

Adam Boor is a CFP® professional with eight years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with Pursuit Wealth Strategies, LLC and has held prior positions at Raymond James Financial Services and RBC Capital Markets. His background also includes earlier roles in banking and finance. Pursuit Wealth Strategies serves individuals, high net worth clients, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations by providing investment advisory, portfolio management, and financial planning services. The firm emphasizes customized portfolios and formal investment policy statements, with regular portfolio monitoring and a structured approach to managing underperforming assets.

Jeremy Hamann is a financial advisor at Evergreen Wealth Advisors with a Series 65 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Blue Trust and CAPTRUST Financial Advisors, as well as work outside finance at Chick-fil-A and Black's Tire Service. He also has experience with The Wilds Christian Camp & Conference Center and Bob Jones University. Evergreen Wealth Advisors offers discretionary investment management and financial planning to individual and corporate clients, utilizing a Modern Portfolio Theory framework combined with tax-optimization techniques. The firm operates a public AI platform for educational purposes and manages client portfolios through proprietary software and AI tools.

Paul Richards is a CFP® professional with 16 years of industry experience. He is currently with Hicks & Associates Wealth Management, LLC, where he has worked since 2022. His prior experience includes roles at WealthShield Partners, Ameriprise Financial Services, and Edward Jones. Hicks & Associates Wealth Management serves individual and high net worth clients, including trusts, estates, IRAs, and 401(k) plans, providing discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services. The firm employs a multi-strategy investment process that integrates fundamental and technical analysis, emphasizing technical methods and incorporating various strategies overseen by an Investment Committee.