Katherine Kerns is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. She has eight years of industry experience and has worked with Members Trust Company, SECU Life Insurance Company, SECU Brokerage Services, and State Employees' Credit Union. In addition to her advisory roles, she serves as a Financial Advisory Services District Manager at State Employees' Credit Union. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management and retirement planning with a focus on low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs. The firm operates as a subsidiary of State Employees’ Credit Union and manages over $3.0 billion in non-discretionary advisory assets.

John Potter is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with Integrity Advisory Solutions, bringing 10 years of industry experience. Before joining Integrity Advisory Solutions in 2024, he worked at Strategic Planning Corporation for eight years and has been involved with The Potter Law Firm since 2012. He serves as treasurer for the North Carolina chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and provides estate planning and elder law services through his legal practice. Integrity Advisory Solutions is a multi-team firm serving individuals, trusts, estates, corporations, and business clients through about 100 independent advisors, managing approximately $1.1 billion in client assets. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, retirement consulting, and sub-advisory services, utilizing a range of asset-allocation strategies and third-party platforms to support tailored client portfolios.

Andrew Barnett is a financial advisor with AlphaStar Capital Management, holding a Series 65 credential and six years of industry experience. He has worked at AlphaStar Capital Management since 2020 and concurrently serves as Director of Technology Innovation at Financial Independence Group, LLC, where he leads software engineering efforts to develop solutions for financial professionals. AlphaStar Capital Management manages approximately $1.84 billion for a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, small businesses, and other investment advisers. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, employing a strategic asset-allocation approach combined with quantitative analysis and tactical methods.

Andrew Smith is a CFP® with 26 years of industry experience, currently serving as a managing partner at Cornerstone Wealth Group, LLC. He has held roles at Mutual Securities, Inc. and Cornerstone Financial Advisors, among others. Outside of advisory work, he is involved in management activities through CWG Management Group, LLC. Cornerstone Wealth Group is an SEC-registered multi-team advisory firm managing approximately $2.1 billion in client assets. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, retirement plans, and corporate clients, offering portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to alternative investments and affiliate private funds.

Sara Milam is a Series 65 licensed financial advisor with three years of industry experience, currently with AlphaStar Capital Management. Her prior work includes roles at Financial Independence Group, Ann Taylor LOFT, and Target Corporation. She is also a licensed insurance agent. AlphaStar Capital Management is a registered investment adviser managing approximately $1.84 billion for a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, estates, small businesses, and pension plans. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and subadvisory services, utilizing both predefined model portfolios and custom strategies based on quantitative analysis and tactical asset allocation.

Zachary Popovec is a financial advisor at AlphaStar Capital Management with seven years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at LPL Financial, Churchill Finance LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, and Man Global Private Markets. AlphaStar Capital Management manages approximately $1.84 billion for a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, estates, small businesses, and pension plans. The firm employs both predefined Model Portfolios and custom strategies that combine strategic asset allocation with quantitative and momentum-based analysis, and it provides a range of portfolio management and consulting services.

Natalia Ruiz is a financial advisor with Principal Advised Services in Dallas, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and having nine years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing Services and Wells Fargo Bank. She currently serves as a retirement consultant, providing one-on-one investment advice to Principal retirement plan participants. Principal Advised Services offers investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, combining third-party tools and proprietary models to deliver both non-discretionary recommendations and a discretionary investment management program called SimpleInvest. The firm is part of the Principal Financial Group family, integrating affiliated products and services with robust governance and supervision.

Deana Spainhour is a financial advisor at Credit Union Investment Services with 11 years of industry experience. She holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has worked at Members Trust Company, SECU Brokerage Services, SECU Life Insurance Company, and State Employees' Credit Union, where she has provided financial advisory services since 2003. Spainhour is also co-owner of a restaurant in Lincolnton, NC, where she supports administrative operations and staff management. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves individual investors in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, asset allocation advice, and retirement planning. The firm emphasizes a long-term, goals-based investment approach that relies on low-cost index funds and ETFs, with investment representatives as salaried employees of the parent credit union.

Tyler Storment is a financial advisor with Accurate Wealth Management, LLC, holding a Series 65 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Accurate Wealth Management, he worked at Everstar Asset Management, LLC. Outside of finance, he is a co-founder of Superb Spirit, an apparel and merchandise business, and is also a professional football player in the NFL, XFL, and CFL. Accurate Wealth Management serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension plans, charities, and corporations. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management and financial planning, emphasizing value, safety, quality, and risk control in its investment approach.

Scott Cislo is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor at Mariner Independent with three years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC and TIAA, with a career break between 2020 and 2024. Mariner Independent provides investment advisory, financial planning, and consulting services to a diverse client base, including individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm’s platform offers portfolio management, model portfolios, and third-party manager access, with notable integration of institutional and retirement plan resources through affiliated entities.

Benjamin Mc Donald is a financial advisor at Kestra Private Wealth Services, LLC with 10 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Edward Jones for six years and BGW Wealth Advisors, LLC for two years before joining Kestra in 2023. Outside of advisory work, he is the owner of a coffee shop business, Daily Ritual Coffee LLC. Kestra Private Wealth Services provides investment advisory services through a network of independent advisors and multi-advisor teams, managing approximately $13.45 billion in client assets. The firm serves individual and institutional clients with access to a broad range of investment products and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary advisory arrangements.

Patrick Hawkins is a financial advisor at Cornerstone Wealth Group with two years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked previously at Oakwood Capital Securities, 49 Wealth Management, and Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments. Hawkins is also involved with the Financial Independence Group in a fiduciary role. Cornerstone Wealth Group is an SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, trusts, estates, employer retirement plans, advisers, and corporate entities. The firm provides portfolio management and financial planning using model portfolios that include ETFs, mutual funds, stocks, and bonds, while also offering retirement plan consulting and related services.

Carmen Maria Andrews is a financial advisor with Great Valley Advisor Group, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 23 years of industry experience. She has previously worked at Sharp Advisors and Merit Financial Group, LLC, and has been affiliated with LPL Financial since 2010. Great Valley Advisor Group is an SEC-registered, multi-team investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and other entities. The firm offers personalized portfolio construction and ongoing oversight through a combination of in-house strategies and third-party managers, with a network of approximately 190 advisors.

Richard Fallon III is a financial advisor at Cornerstone Wealth with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC and JP Morgan Chase & Co. Outside of his advisory role, he works occasionally as a freelance golf caddy in Charlotte, NC. Cornerstone Wealth Group is a multi-team advisory firm managing approximately $2.1 billion in client assets. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, retirement plans, other advisers, and corporate clients, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services with an investment approach centered on model portfolios and discretionary management.

Ethan Bemis is a financial advisor at AlphaStar Capital Management with a Series 65 designation and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining AlphaStar, he held positions at Fleet Feet Huntersville, Cabarrus Country Club, and Catawba College. AlphaStar Capital Management is a registered investment adviser managing approximately $1.84 billion for individuals, trusts, small businesses, pension plans, and other advisers. The firm employs both model portfolios and custom strategies using strategic asset allocation and quantitative analysis, and it also serves as a subadviser and referral agent to other investment advisers.

Austin Lytle is a CFP® professional with three years of industry experience, currently serving at IFG Advisory, LLC. His background includes roles at BluHawk Wealth Management and LPL Financial LLC. He provides administrative support to IFG Advisory, an independent investment advisor firm. IFG Advisory offers investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm utilizes a range of investment strategies and third-party managers to tailor portfolios to client objectives, including management of held-away assets like 401(k)s and HSAs.

Robin Radovich is a financial advisor at United Brokerage Services, Inc. with 15 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at several firms including BB&T and Crescom. Radovich also serves as secretary of the Rotary Club of Lincolnton, NC. United Brokerage Services, Inc. provides investment advisory and brokerage services to individuals, corporate pension and profit-sharing plans, and trust clients through various wrap fee and advisory programs. The firm primarily manages assets on a non-discretionary basis and is affiliated with United Bank, offering a combination of banking affiliation and a primarily non-discretionary advisory model.

Cody Lewallen is a CFP® professional with five years of industry experience, currently affiliated with IFG Advisory, LLC in Mooresville, NC. His prior roles include positions at Marsh McLennan Agency, LPL Financial, and Old North State Trust. Lewallen also conducts non-investment related activities for Marsh McLennan Agency, supporting its insurance services. IFG Advisory, LLC provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm employs a variety of investment strategies using sub-advisors and third-party models, managing both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolios across a broad range of asset types.

Gregory Bennett is a financial advisor with IFG Advisory, LLC and holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. He has 29 years of industry experience, including roles at Merit Financial Group, LPL Financial, and Private Portfolio Partners. Bennett serves as a trustee for his deceased father’s trust, managing assets for family beneficiaries. IFG Advisory, LLC provides advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm employs a comprehensive investment approach that integrates fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, utilizing in-house management, sub-advisors, and third-party managers to tailor solutions aligned with client objectives.

William Ham is a financial advisor with AlphaStar Capital Management holding a Series 65 designation and eight years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Armis Advisers, Ham Asset Management, and a long-standing role with Financial Independence Group, where he serves as Vice President of Sales in the Annuity Division. AlphaStar Capital Management manages approximately $1.84 billion for a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, small businesses, and pension plans. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services, utilizing strategic asset allocation and quantitative tactical approaches.