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.

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.

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.

John Matthews is a financial advisor with Brookwood Investment Group, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 11 years of industry experience. He has held roles at several firms including Redwood Private Wealth LLC and Matthews & Co Private Wealth Advisors, where he serves as Managing Member and CEO. Outside of finance, Matthews owns The Cut Barbershop in Charlotte, NC. Brookwood Investment Group is a multi-advisor registered investment adviser managing approximately $1.06 billion for over 3,100 clients. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services, utilizing a range of investment strategies and supporting tailored portfolios with negotiated fee arrangements.

Richard Reber is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 18 years of industry experience. He is affiliated with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC and has prior experience with Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley Private Bank. Reber is also the author of "How to Talk to Your Partner About Money and Not Kill Each Other." Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, and charitable organizations, offering asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a network model of advisory representatives and integrates various portfolio management strategies along with technology platforms to support its services.

Kevin Burton is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF, holding Series 65, 66, and 63 licenses and bringing 16 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Foreside Financial Services, Primark Capital, and AlphaStar Capital Management. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as an assistant high school football coach at the Community School of Davidson. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans, often serving clients with existing relationships through employer retirement plans. The firm’s advisory model distinguishes between one-time planning services and ongoing discretionary management, employing model portfolios or customized solutions under fiduciary standards.

David Vespoli is a financial advisor with Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd, holding a Series 66 designation and 22 years of industry experience. He has been with Stratos Wealth Partners since 2010 and has also worked with LPL Financial and Osaic Wealth Inc. Outside of advisory services, he is licensed to conduct the sale and servicing of fixed insurance products including annuities, term, universal, whole life, long-term care, disability, and health and dental insurances. Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd. is an SEC-registered enterprise wealth management firm with approximately $18.6 billion in assets under management, serving over 24,000 clients through about 366 advisors. The firm offers a variety of portfolio management services and financial planning engagements using an open-architecture approach that incorporates external platforms and third-party manager programs.

Kiara Hackshaw Gary is a financial advisor with Fifth Third Securities, Inc., holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. She has been with Fifth Third Securities since 2022 and has prior experience at Fifth Third Bank, Bananas & Caviar, Rick Erwin's Dining Group, Ingles Market, and Johnson & Wales University. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved in a home-based pastry baking business in Statesville, NC. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. provides brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate and business clients, and institutional investors. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account programs and combines third-party portfolio managers with advisor-managed options, supported by services such as direct indexing and tax-overlay, operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fifth Third Bank.

Evangeline Lodwick is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with 28 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 credentials. Her prior roles include positions at Valic Financial Advisors, TIAA-CREF, and Encompass Investments. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage account holders. The firm’s services feature an integrated model linked to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms, emphasizing long-term portfolio returns and consistent rebalancing within established plan lineups.

David Weidmayer is a CFP® professional with 32 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network. He also operates Weidmayer Wealth Solutions, LLC, a firm he has led since 2014. Outside of his advisory work, he is the owner of Sun Towels of Indiana, LLC. Commonwealth Financial Network is a dual-registered broker/dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a national network of nearly 2,900 advisors and managing approximately $212.7 billion in client assets. The firm provides a broad platform that includes managed-account programs, third-party asset manager access, and retirement consulting services.

Robert Steele is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked with various Truist-affiliated firms since 2000. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, implementing advice through a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary approaches supported by third-party platforms and manager arrangements.

Robert Bogia is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services in Cornelius, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and nine years of industry experience. He has worked with Fulcrum Capital Partners since 2018 and has been affiliated with Principal Securities Inc. since 2017. Outside of his advisory role, Bogia serves as president of his homeowners association and operates an LLC for tax purposes. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm’s advisory offerings include financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager solutions through distinct adviser and promoter arrangements.