Matthew Alexander is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and has been with The Rutherford Group since 2018. In his role, he helps clients create and track strategies toward financial success. Prior to joining The Rutherford Group, Alexander specialized in retirement income planning, partnering with financial advisors to provide income and protection solutions through MetLife Investors and Brighthouse Financial. Alexander holds a Bachelor's Degree from Appalachian State University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, a designation awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. He takes a holistic approach when working with clients to create, execute, and monitor wealth management plans. His areas of expertise include employee benefits planning, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, and retirement income. Outside of his professional duties, Alexander has personal interests such as boating, camping, football, golfing, music, pickleball, skiing, tennis, and spending time with his family. He has also served as a former board member of the Appalachian State University Alumni Board (Charlotte Chapter).

Olga Guin is a financial advisor at Merrill with 23 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Merrill since 2014. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as co-trustee of B S Trust in Charlotte, North Carolina. Merrill provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions program, offering a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate fiduciaries.

Melissa McGrath is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 23 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Provenance Wealth Advisors, Raymond James Financial Services, Financial Resources Group, LPL Financial, and AXA Advisors. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service focused on individuals nearing or in retirement with significant investable assets, providing detailed written recommendation reports that incorporate income sources, Social Security options, and tax-efficient withdrawal strategies. The firm combines algorithmic automation with personalized review to deliver these recommendations through a centralized consulting team.

Ashley Alexander is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and having eight years of industry experience. Prior to joining Vanguard, Ashley worked at BMO Harris Bank and has been involved in entrepreneurial activities including ownership of Alexanders BBQ LLC. Vanguard Advisers provides investment advice through a combination of automated platforms and human support, serving retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach to construct portfolios primarily from Vanguard funds and ETFs, offering various customization options and tax-aware strategies.

Michael Ruland is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he works with individuals, families, and businesses to pursue their short-, mid-, and long-term financial objectives by developing custom financial and retirement plans supported by active investment and risk management strategies. He focuses on building deep relationships based on trust and transparency to create tailored solutions that address clients’ retirement planning, business exit planning, portfolio diversification, cash flow management, and tax considerations. Michael’s areas of expertise include college education planning, equity compensation services, liquidity management, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, small business strategies, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. He collaborates with Bank of America specialists to provide clients with access to banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions as needed, ensuring comprehensive financial guidance aligned with each client’s goals. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of South Carolina System and has earned the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. Michael is bilingual in Spanish and English. Outside of work, he enjoys boating, fishing, golfing, reading, running, spending time with his family, and traveling.

Lee Willaford is a CFP® with 26 years of industry experience, currently serving at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. Prior to this, he worked at Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC from 2013 to 2016. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and is based in Charlotte, NC. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s IPS-driven advisory process incorporates modern portfolio theory and includes a broader set of financial product offerings, such as insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options, than is typical for large institutional advisers.

Steven Sutton is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with eight years of industry experience, currently affiliated with LPL Financial in Charlotte, NC. His prior roles include positions at Thomas Atkinson, Waddell & Reed, and various insurance agencies. Sutton has also worked as a self-employed advisor. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, and charitable organizations through a national network of representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting services utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by internal and third-party research.

William Osman is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on helping individuals, families, and business owners build, preserve, and transfer wealth with confidence. William employs a relationship-focused approach to financial planning, working closely with clients to align their investments, retirement strategies, risk management, and legacy goals with what matters most to them. As a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), William provides objective guidance aimed at simplifying complex financial decisions and helping clients navigate their financial futures with clarity. He is committed to delivering thoughtful counsel, proactive communication, and a disciplined investment process designed to support clients' long-term goals. William holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Carolina System and a Master's Degree from East Carolina University.

Elizabeth Panos is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and bringing nine years of industry experience. She has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and also has experience with Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC and Wells Fargo Bank NA. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients, including pension and charitable organizations. The firm offers a broad range of investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, combining research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute with diversified investment strategies.

Kyle Garrison is a financial advisor at UBS Financial Services with four years of industry experience. He has held prior roles at Bank of America, Merrill, and Black River Wealth Management Ltd., and has work experience outside finance including positions at United Parcel Service and NitroFlex Gym. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through a range of brokerage and advisory offerings, combining institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services. The firm utilizes proprietary research and model-based strategies to tailor plans according to clients' goals and risk tolerances.

Nicholas Cicci is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 17 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC and Wells Fargo Clearing since 2010. He is based in Charlotte, NC. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and incorporates modern portfolio theory, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services tailored to plan objectives and risk tolerances.

Karen Dunphy is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 32 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 1993. Merrill provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions program, offering a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate fiduciaries. The firm’s integration with Bank of America allows access to a broad array of products and services beyond typical investment management.

Judy Meyer is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 24 years of industry experience. She worked at J.P. Morgan Securities for six years before joining Wells Fargo Clearing in 2018. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and incorporates modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options among its investment offerings.

Cameron Voegele is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with seven years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. His prior experience includes roles at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company, Mutual of Omaha Advisors, UBS, and Vanguard. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services. The firm’s approach is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, incorporating a broad range of investment options including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep programs.

Nathan Sessions is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Edward Jones since 2019. Prior to that, he was employed at Integra Choice and Control and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving both individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth households, pension plans, corporate clients, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Aisha Wall is a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and three years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Fidelity Investments, The Vanguard Group, and Brinks Incorporated. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving 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 dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Damien Supple is a financial advisor at UBS Financial Services in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 11 years of industry experience, all spent at UBS. UBS Financial Services Inc. serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and investment advisory offerings, including fee-based financial planning and portfolio management. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services, utilizing proprietary research and model-based asset allocations to tailor strategies to clients’ goals and risk tolerances.

William Purgason Jr. is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 27 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2005 and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Olde Providence Civic Association in Charlotte, NC. Ameriprise provides a retirement-income planning service targeted at individuals approaching or in retirement who meet specific asset criteria, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver tailored, non-discretionary recommendations. As a large institutional firm, Ameriprise offers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through affiliated companies.

Jacob Allen is a financial advisor with LPL Enterprise in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and starting his advisory career in 2025. Prior to joining LPL Enterprise, he worked in various municipal roles in North Carolina, including positions with Union County and several cities. Allen is also involved in non-variable insurance activities related to his advisory work. LPL Enterprise serves a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, corporations, and institutional clients, offering financial planning, consulting, model portfolio management, and brokerage and insurance products through an integrated platform.

William Sullivan is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Hickory, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 12 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC and Wells Fargo Bank NA, where he has worked for over two decades. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved as a landlord in a rental property business in Lenoir, NC. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services for qualified ERISA and non‑qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non‑discretionary solutions. The firm’s investment approach is driven by investment policy statements and modern portfolio theory, with a broad offering that includes insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.