Ryan Lopez is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses with seven years of industry experience. Before joining Morgan Stanley in 2019, he worked at Brooks International for one year and was at the University of Alabama for five years. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a variety of advisory programs including financial planning and estate planning, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Marc Messer is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 20 years of industry experience. He has worked at Morgan Stanley since 2013 and has been involved with Resource & Design Associates since 1972. Messer holds a Series 66 designation. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured planning process supported by firm-approved tools and analyses.

William Giddens is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Tucson, AZ, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 17 years of industry experience. His career has been primarily with Wells Fargo entity affiliates since 2011. He has a 50% ownership interest in Wing Management, LLC, an investment-related business based in Tucson. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans 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, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related products and bank deposit sweep options in its investment menu.

Micah Cooke is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Charlotte, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been in the financial industry since 2021, previously working seven years at Red Lobster. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages roughly $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.

Deep Patel is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with two years of industry experience. He previously worked at Wells Fargo for two years and has been with LPL Financial since 2023. Patel holds the Series 66 designation. LPL Financial is a national SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and brokerage services supported by model portfolios and research from internal and third-party sources.

Bryan Haney is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings extensive experience in financial services, focusing on wealth management strategies for clients and businesses. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Appalachian State University. Bryan has earned several professional designations, including Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Bryan resides in Charlotte with his family. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf.

Michael Schweller is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors with three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Cambridge, he worked at Cetera and Ameriprise. His background includes various roles outside finance, such as positions at Sohi Grilled Sandwiches and Huntington Nursery and Florist. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and trusts. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory services through a network of independent Financial Professionals, utilizing proprietary and third-party strategies across multiple platform arrangements.

Tracee Pearson is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. She previously worked at Morgan Stanley and Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. outside of her current role. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager and fund searches, and customized performance reporting through a select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with additional market-facing registrations, delivering recommendations on a non-discretionary basis while clients retain final decision-making authority.

Chirag Patel is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 10 years of industry experience. He has worked with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and was previously associated with Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC and First Clearing. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary advice. The firm’s IPS-driven approach incorporates modern portfolio theory and includes a range of investment options such as insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep programs.

David Fanta is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Fort Mill, SC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has recently begun his career in the industry. His prior work experience includes roles at Hammer and Hammer Law and various positions during his education at the University of South Carolina. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, institutions, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of financial planning and advisory programs, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by research and model portfolios.

Kimberly Ann Loughlin is a financial advisor with Merrill in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 34 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2009. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as executor and power of attorney for her parents. Merrill, along 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 and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Katlin Moran is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and with 12 years of industry experience. She has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously worked at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC and Wells Fargo Bank NA. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, retirement consulting, and brokerage solutions. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and utilizes research and analytics to support diversified investment strategies.

Evan Clatterbuck is a financial advisor at UBS Financial Services with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Wells Fargo Bank from 2016 to 2019. He is based in Charlotte, NC. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and investment advisory offerings, including financial planning and portfolio management. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services, leveraging proprietary research and capital market assumptions to tailor investment strategies.

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 with Merrill in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 24 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2014. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a co-trustee of a private trust entity. Merrill, along 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 both model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of clients, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

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.

Melissa Clark is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and six years of industry experience. She has worked at LPL Financial since 2021 and previously held roles at Wells Fargo Securities and Wells Fargo Clearing Services. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations 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 both discretionary and non-discretionary management options supported by in-house and third-party research.

Joshua Beckham is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with three years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked for the Chester County School District for six years. Beckham is also involved in property investment as a rental property owner in South Carolina. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

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.