Ross Vaden is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services in Greensboro, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Mass Mutual in 2025, he worked for Southeastern Freight Lines for 12 years. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in managing a storage unit business, Avalon Suites LLC, as a member and manager. Mass Mutual Investors Services, LLC is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm provides financial planning, asset management, and educational seminars, using firm-approved software to develop written recommendations tailored to client goals.

John Nee is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Greensboro, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 41 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors and its predecessor, AXA Advisors, since 1999. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as Vice Chair of Deacons at Friendly Avenue Baptist Church. Equitable Advisors provides financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset management services to individuals, plans, corporations, and institutions, utilizing a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and a variety of program models and third-party managers.

Martin Mc Farling is a financial advisor with Ameriprise, holding a Series 66 designation and 26 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliates since 2005. Outside of his advisory work, Mc Farling serves as treasurer on the board of directors for Guilford Crossing Professional Center POA and is involved in sign installation and photography services for auction.com properties. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that provides written recommendation reports and ongoing retirement-income planning advice focused on income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Kevin Gunter is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Greensboro, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 22 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its predecessor entities since 2004. Outside of advisory services, he serves as president of The Gunter Group Inc., an S-Corp established for a teaming arrangement with another Ameriprise advisor, and is also listed as secretary for a separate non-investment-related health coaching business owned by his wife. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients. It offers a specialized Premier Retirement Income service focused on retirement-income planning, tax-aware withdrawal strategies, and dependable income sources.

Josiah White is a CFP® and Series 66-registered financial advisor with Edward Jones, based in Graham, NC. He has nine years of industry experience, including a prior role with North Carolina State University Recreation. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, supported by a nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Kacie Loye is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Burlington, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, she worked in various roles including positions at Lomax Construction Inc and Leeper, Kean & Rumley LLP. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of investment strategies and services, operates under a fiduciary standard, and manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets with a large network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Maria Aileen Rio is a financial advisor at Merrill with eight years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at CitiBank for thirteen years. 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 a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Ashley Cook is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with one year of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Lincoln Financial Group and Bell Partners Inc. Cook is based in Greensboro, NC. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that provides written recommendation reports and ongoing annual retirement-income planning advice focusing on dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Matthew Garcia is a CFP® professional with five years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at LPL Financial since 2024. Prior to this, he worked at The Vanguard Group for three years and Northwestern Mutual for one year. Outside of finance, he is the owner of a local lawn care business. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser offering advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm provides a range of financial planning and investment management options through a large network of advisors, utilizing various model portfolios, third-party subadvisors, and customized strategies.

Hannah Zogzas is a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where she focuses on delivering customer service, building client relationships, and supporting financial planning. She aims to assist clients in making informed financial decisions with confidence. Her professional experience includes roles at Fidelity Investments since 2020, starting as an Investment Consultant before becoming a Planning Consultant. Prior to this, she worked at UBS Financial Services from 2016 to 2020, progressing from Client Service Associate to Senior Wealth Planning Strategist. She also held a Client Service Associate position at Merrill Lynch from 2013 to 2016. Outside of her professional work, Hannah enjoys activities such as beach outings, family activities, hiking, outdoor adventures, parenthood, and traveling.

Logan Sharpe is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 15 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and previously worked at TIAA-CREF from 2010 to 2018. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a board member for The Burlington School and works as a spin class instructor. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Preston Neal is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with LPL Financial, based in Greensboro, NC, and has five years of industry experience. He previously worked at Fidelity Investments for seven years and held earlier positions at LPL Financial and Private Advisor Group, LLC. Neal serves as a regional council member on the board of the nonprofit New Israel Fund. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management solutions, utilizing model portfolios, third-party subadvisors, and customized strategies supported by advanced operational and research tools.

Robert Hargrove is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Greensboro, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 31 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Truliant Federal Credit Union, The Prudential Insurance Company of America, and Wells Fargo Clearing. He is involved in Truliant Financial Advisors, a DBA for his LPL business. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, utilizing model portfolios, third-party subadvisors, and customized strategies, supported by extensive technology and a broad platform of financial activities.

Joel Williamson is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with six years of industry experience. He holds the CFP® designation and Series 66 license. His prior experience includes five years at Edward Jones and roles at General Motors and the Evangelical Fellowship Church. Williamson is also the owner of Financial Educators LLC, a financial education business. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Mayco Saucedo Hernandez is a financial advisor with Fidelity in Durham, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and having two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Fidelity, he worked in various roles across multiple industries, including logistics, real estate, and retail. Outside of his advisory role, he works as a food delivery driver for DoorDash. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to a broad range of clients, including retail and institutional investors, through a process that combines fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction. The firm manages discretionary and non-discretionary portfolios, offering multi-manager and fund-of-funds advisory services, and utilizes systematic methodologies and long-term asset allocation benchmarks.

Culbert Mclean Jr. is a financial advisor with LPL Financial who holds a Series 66 designation and has 23 years of industry experience. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2008 and is also a managing partner at S. Preston Douglas & Associates LLP, a CPA firm. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as Director and President of Pinecrest Country Club, a nonprofit private country club. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that offers financial planning, asset management, and retirement services to individuals, institutions, and other clients through a large network of investment adviser representatives. The firm combines advisory platforms with a broad range of financial services and oversight of substantial discretionary assets.

James Capps IV is a financial advisor at Merrill with three years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has previously worked at Fidelity Investments, Bank of America, and Jos. A. Bank. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers both model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by its internal Chief Investment Office and third-party managers.

Ruth Petty is a ChFC® credentialed financial advisor with 44 years of industry experience, currently serving at OSAIC since 2024. Her prior experience includes nine years at Securities America Advisors and eight years at Signator Investors, Inc. Outside of her advisory role, she is President of the Streamside Homeowners Association and serves as a Director for Business Professional Network, a mission organization focused on economic development in underdeveloped countries. OSAIC Wealth serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, charities, and corporate clients. The firm offers a range of brokerage and advisory services supported by model-based asset allocation and portfolio optimization, with a platform notable for its scale, consolidation activity, and complex affiliate network.

Jill Middleton is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial with 14 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. since 2016, with a five-year period at Commonwealth Financial Network in between. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and institutional investors. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning using risk profiling and analytical tools, and supports municipal and public finance work through its affiliation with a municipal advisor.

Joseph Nelson is a financial advisor with Fidelity in Greensboro, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 11 years of industry experience. He has been with various Fidelity entities since 2015, including Fidelity Personal and Workplace Advisors and Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC. Outside of his advisory role, Nelson is involved in a real estate business focused on buying, building, renovating, and selling properties. He is part of Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company that provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients. The firm utilizes a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to develop model portfolios from mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.