Kelly Jones is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Hickory, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. She has been with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Thrivent Investment Management since 2008. Jones serves on the Board of Directors for the Catawba Medical Foundation, a nonprofit supporting the Catawba Valley Health System. Thrivent Investment Management offers Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of financial advisors. The firm focuses on holistic, goal-based planning across a range of topics and allows integration with managed-account programs while maintaining separate planning and investment services.

Richard Buchanan IV is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Hickory, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has one year of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he was self-employed for three years and previously worked at Granite Hardwoods, Inc. for twelve years. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of financial advisors. The firm offers goal-based, holistic planning that covers a wide range of financial topics without managing client portfolios directly.

James Engelman Sr. is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Hudson, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2013. Outside of his advisory role, he is the president and owner of Little Gunpowder Creek Farm, a farming business he started in 2022. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of investment programs and affiliated services, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Cole Setzer is a Series 65 licensed advisor at XYPN Sapphire with one year of industry experience. He has held roles at XYPN Invest and Setzer Financial since 2025 and serves as a Major in the United States Army. Outside of advising, he is treasurer of Setzer Construction, a construction company. XYPN Sapphire provides investment management and financial planning to individuals, trusts, estates, business entities, and retirement plans. The firm uses a long-term, risk-based allocation approach with diversified portfolios and is piloting digital-asset management services.