Kimberly Bonini is a financial advisor at Merrill with seven years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Bank of America and Merrill since 2014. 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.

Alexander Johnson is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with six years of experience, currently affiliated with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors. He has worked at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors since 2019 and operates Capital Concepts Financial Group. Outside of advising, he is the owner and host of a podcast through BGP LLC. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base, including individuals across wealth segments, retirement plans, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory services and investment solutions delivered by independent financial professionals with access to proprietary and third-party strategies.

Brent Reynolds is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 designation, with seven years of industry experience. He has worked at Edward Jones since 2018 and previously spent five years at Verizon Wireless. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management through a nationwide network of more than 23,700 financial advisors and offers a range of advisory and investment solutions including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Susan Singleton is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 25 years of industry experience. She has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2005. Singleton serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for St. Stephens High School Class of 84. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that provides retirement planning advice focused on income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Jonathan Malcolm is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and beginning his advisory career in 2025. Prior to joining Raymond James, he held roles at firms including Daly Seven, Inc. and Vincent Valuations, and was involved with the YMCA of the Triangle. He is also associated with Elmore Financial Group, Inc., a support company based in Denver, NC. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers non-discretionary planning tailored to client goals through risk profiling and analytical tools, supporting a large network of advisors and affiliated firms.

Kaleb Covington is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with nine years of industry experience. He is currently with Cetera, having worked there and its affiliate entities since 2016. Prior to his advisory career, he spent nine years working at Rusty Rudder. Additionally, Covington is an insurance agent selling life insurance, fixed annuities, and long-term care products. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individuals across wealth segments, employer-sponsored retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and consulting services through a multi-manager platform, supporting both discretionary and non-discretionary strategies.

Joseph Rhyne III is a CFP® professional with 32 years of experience, currently serving at MassMutual Investors Services since 1996. He has worked with MassMutual Life Insurance Company for 30 years. In addition to his advisory role, he owns an LLC that manages pass-through compensation. MassMutual Investors Services, LLC is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides financial planning and asset management services to individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm emphasizes collaborative, annual financial planning engagements using firm-approved analytical tools and offers additional programs, including estate settlement and employer-sponsored planning.

William Payne is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Edward Jones in Denver, NC, with 17 years of industry experience. He has worked at Edward Jones since 2020 and previously held positions at BB&T Investments and BB&T Securities. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and supports a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Zachary Tussel is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with eight years of industry experience, currently associated with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. He has worked previously at Elmore Financial Group and New York Life. Outside of advisory work, he is a partner in non-investment businesses including Boats & Tows LLC and Clean Supreme Ventures LLC, and he is also involved in insurance sales. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning and investment consulting to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and consulting services supported by analytical tools and supports advisory programs alongside institutional consulting and portfolio management.

Mitchell Sayers is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Hickory, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 credentials and having 10 years of industry experience. He previously worked at The Vanguard Group, Inc. for one year before joining Ameriprise in 2017. Outside of his advisory role, he owns QC Somm LLC, a private sommelier and wine consulting business. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering specialized retirement income planning through its Ameriprise Premier Retirement Income service. The firm’s approach combines proprietary investment research and algorithmic tools to provide ongoing, tax-aware retirement-income recommendations within a defined investment universe influenced by affiliated product relationships.

Michele Compton is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial with 30 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Edward Jones and J.W. Cole Financial. Since 2020, she has also been associated with Signature Wealth Group as a Senior Wealth Advisor. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning and investment consulting to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary advisory services supported by advanced analytical tools and has a notable affiliation supporting municipal and public finance work.

Trudy Mullins is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. in Denver, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 32 years of industry experience. She has been with Raymond James since 2014 and is also an associate at Elmore Financial Group, where she performs administrative and financial assistant duties. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. offers financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a wide range of clients, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, institutions, and charitable organizations, utilizing risk profiling and analytical tools to inform non-discretionary planning and customized investment consulting.

Michael Gerken is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Newton, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 32 years of industry experience. He has worked with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Thrivent Investment Management since 2002. Outside of his advisory role, he is president of Gerken Enterprises, LLC. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of Financial Advisors, offering holistic, goal-based analyses and planning across a broad range of financial topics. The firm separates planning from managed-account services and does not provide portfolio management for institutional clients.

Matthew Starnes is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Hickory, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 22 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2019 and previously worked at SagePoint Financial and runs Starnes Financial Group. He is also a licensed insurance agent with experience in term life and long-term care insurance. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individual clients, retirement plans, financial institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by proprietary and third-party research.

Mark Teague is a CFP® with 16 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with LPL Financial since 2014. He is also authorized to sell Medicare supplemental, Medicare Part D, and Medicare Advantage plans to residents of North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a wide range of clients including individuals, retirement plans, and institutions, offering diverse advisory programs, financial planning, and brokerage services through a national network of investment adviser representatives.

Peter Nelson is a Series 66-credentialed financial advisor with 19 years of industry experience. He is currently with OSAIC and has previously worked at Spectrum Financial Inc. and Securities America Advisors. Outside his advisory role, Nelson serves on the board of Exodus Homes, a local nonprofit assisting individuals transitioning from rehab, jail, and prison, where he also chairs the marketing committee. OSAIC serves a wide range of retail and institutional clients, offering integrated brokerage and investment advisory services through a large network of affiliated advisors. The firm employs asset-allocation tools, risk-tolerance assessments, and automated rebalancing to construct diversified portfolios and provides access to third-party money managers and wrap programs.

Florance Johnson is a Series 66 designated advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Newton, NC, bringing two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Thrivent, Johnson held positions at Dollar General and HealthSmart Pharmacy, among other roles. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, offering goal-based analyses on various financial topics with options for one-time or ongoing planning engagements. The firm separates planning from managed-account services and does not hold discretionary trading authority for its Dedicated Planning Service.

Michael Austin is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Newton, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Thrivent, he worked at Wells Fargo for three years and served in the US Army North Carolina National Guard for 13 years. He is the Committee Chair for Shepherds for Sheepdogs, a nonprofit that provides trained service dogs to veterans and law enforcement officers with PTSD. Thrivent Investment Management offers Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits, focusing on holistic, goal-based planning across various financial topics without managing discretionary trading authority.

Terry Eskind is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Conover, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 36 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2010. Outside of advisory work, he is president of Eskind Group LLC, a company involved in owning and maintaining rental properties. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients across a broad range of financial needs, with over $1 trillion in assets under management and a nationwide network of more than 23,000 advisors. The firm offers various advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated investment products, operating under a fiduciary standard.

John Watkins is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving clients in Western North Carolina. He focuses on developing personalized financial strategies designed to help clients pursue their long-term goals through tailored wealth management approaches that adapt to changing market conditions. John's expertise encompasses areas such as college education planning, corporate benefits, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, and retirement income. He applies his knowledge to assist clients across various financial aspects, including corporate executive services, divorce transition planning, and employee benefits planning. In addition to his professional work, John is active in his community, volunteering with local organizations. He has personal interests in baseball, fishing, golfing, and hunting, reflecting his engagement with the community and leisure activities. John is committed to partnering with clients one-on-one to develop strategies aligned with their individual goals.