Michael Palazzo is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Bethesda, MD, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2017 and previously worked at Capital One Advisors, LLC and Capital One Investing, LLC from 2015 to 2017. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary options. The firm’s advisory process is driven by investment policy statements and modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options among its investment offerings.

Pratik Bhavsar is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Ellicott City, MD, holding Series 65 and Series 63 credentials and five years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Northwestern Mutual and PNC Bank, among others. Bhavsar is also a commissioned notary in Ellicott City. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, retirement consulting, and brokerage services, utilizing model portfolios, research resources, and both discretionary and non-discretionary management approaches.

Phillip Cecil is a financial advisor at Ameriprise in Washington, DC, holding a Series 66 designation with two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Ameriprise, he worked at Budget Blinds. Ameriprise is a large institutional firm offering a retirement-income planning service aimed at individuals approaching or in retirement who meet certain asset criteria. The firm provides written Recommendation Reports that address income sources, Social Security options, and tax-smart withdrawal strategies, combining research and modeling with algorithmic automation overseen by a specialized consulting team.

Jeremiah Smith is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and beginning his advisory career in 2025. His prior work experience includes roles at Wells Fargo Bank, FedEx, Macy’s, Kohl’s, and several educational institutions. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting services. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and employs more than 14,000 financial advisors, offering both brokerage and advisory solutions.

Rongxia Zhu is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 20 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Truist Investment Services and Globalink Securities. She is currently based in Kensington, MD. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting through its Wealth Advisors. The firm combines institutional advisory operations with brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities.

James Strother is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 25 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has worked at LPL Financial since 2013, as well as Global Retirement Partners, LLC since 2017. Strother also conducts investment-related seminars at colleges. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, corporations, and nonprofits through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services, with discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by research from LPL Research and third-party subadvisors.

Nyanya Joof is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. She has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and was previously with Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2009 to 2016. 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 advisory process is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, with a broader range of financial product offerings that include insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Adam Shams is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Bethesda, MD, holding a Series 66 designation and with one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Caruso's Grocery, Sunglass Hut, Walter Johnson High School, and Masorti School. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients, offering brokerage and investment advisory services such as fee-based financial planning, portfolio management, and distribution of mutual funds and alternative products through a platform that integrates institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services.

Brian Avrunin is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Columbia, MD, holding a Series 66 designation and 25 years of industry experience. He has worked at Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2005. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as Treasurer for the Friends of Scott Berkowitz, MD campaign, managing campaign finance reporting independently of Ameriprise. Ameriprise offers retirement-income planning services targeting individuals approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficient strategies to provide non-discretionary, personalized recommendations. The firm also delivers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through its affiliated companies.

Brandon Mazur is a financial advisor at UBS Financial Services with 25 years of industry experience. He has been with UBS since 2000 and holds a Series 66 designation. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and investment advisory offerings, combining institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services. The firm provides discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to alternative products using proprietary research and model-based asset allocations.

Alexander Gross is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previous work experience at The Motley Fool and several other companies. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a specialized Premier Retirement Income service focused on dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies for clients nearing or in retirement.

John Pagano is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors in Bethesda, MD, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and Morgan Stanley Private Bank. He is also involved in investment-related business activities through his ownership of PAGANO72, LLC and PAGANO GP, LLC. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network offers investment and fee-based financial planning services to individuals, trusts, and institutional clients, using Wells Fargo research and planning tools to develop tailored recommendations. The firm’s comprehensive planning services address areas such as retirement, education, risk, and specialized needs like business-owner transitions and divorce planning.

Connor Walsh is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Ellicott City, MD, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. He has worked at Ameriprise since 2020 and is involved in Business Networking International, where he is set to become chapter president in November. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering specialized retirement income planning that includes written Recommendation Reports and ongoing advice focused on income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Ahmon Smallwood is an Investment Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he has been serving since 2025. In this role, he collaborates with clients to develop comprehensive financial plans, focusing on investments, insurance, retirement, and wealth planning to support clients' short and long-term financial objectives. Prior to his current position, Ahmon held roles as a Relationship Manager and Financial Representative at Fidelity Investments from 2022 to 2025. Before joining Fidelity, he worked as a Relationship Banker at Bank of America from 2021 to 2022. Throughout his career, Ahmon has gained experience in financial services across various client-focused roles, enabling him to provide strategic guidance tailored to individual financial goals. Outside of his professional work, he has interests in comedy, family activities, fitness, football, reading, and running.

Brian Clifford is a financial advisor at Mass Mutual Investors Services with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Mass Mutual Investors Services since 2017. His prior experience includes roles at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company and Metlife Securities Inc. Clifford is also active as a licensed life insurance and health agent. Mass Mutual Investors Services is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm offers financial planning, asset management, and educational seminars, emphasizing collaborative, goal-oriented planning supported by advanced analytical tools.

Jeffrey Carlson is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with nine years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Ameriprise in various capacities since 2016. Carlson is also the owner of CAWM Services LLC, through which he manages his advisory business. Ameriprise serves clients primarily through its retirement-income planning service aimed at individuals approaching or in retirement who meet specific asset criteria. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to provide tailored, non-discretionary recommendations delivered in partnership with clients’ Ameriprise financial advisors.

Jeffrey Corvin is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab based in Bethesda, MD, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 16 years of industry experience. He has been with Charles Schwab and Charles Schwab Bank SSb since 2017. Outside of finance, he creates and sells mixed media art and photography through Dane Fine Art.com and works as a florist sales processor and rideshare driver. Charles Schwab serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary investment options. The firm provides integrated advisory, brokerage, custody, and financial planning services supported by strategic asset allocation models and a centralized operational structure.

Richard Gerber is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 33 years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill since 2009 and has worked at Bank of America, N.A. since 1981. Outside of his advisory role, he is a co-owner of a rental property investment in Bethany Beach, Delaware. 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 plans, charitable organizations, and corporate fiduciaries.

Dawn Durbin is a financial advisor at Merrill with 24 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated since 2014. 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.

Reed Eliff is a financial advisor at Merrill with nine years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Merrill since 2014. 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 plans, charitable organizations, and corporate fiduciaries. The firm is integrated into Bank of America’s broader platform, providing access to a wide array of products and services beyond traditional investment management.