Tracee Pearson is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan and Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in 2025, she had brief tenure at Morgan Stanley in 2023. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients, focusing on written asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting within a non-discretionary advisory program.

Chirag Patel is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and 11 years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously with First Clearing starting in 2013. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm providing investment advisory services, financial planning, wrap‑fee programs, and retirement plan consulting to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third parties.

David Fanta is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with a Series 66 credential and less than one year of industry experience. His background includes roles outside of finance, such as work at Hammer and Hammer Law and involvement with the YMCA. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

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 at Wells Fargo Clearing with 13 years of industry experience. She holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has been with Wells Fargo Bank NA since 2011 and Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, wrap-fee programs, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions.

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 licenses and seven years of industry experience. She has worked at LPL Financial and Wells Fargo Securities in various capacities since 2016. Clark is based in Fort Mill, South Carolina. 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, and institutional platforms, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Ashley Alexander is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with nine years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at The Vanguard Group since 2017. Outside of her advisory role, she is the owner of Alexanders BBQ LLC, a restaurant based in Charlotte, NC. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice primarily to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach to asset allocation, utilizing proprietary models and offering portfolios largely composed of Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Austin Howie is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 license and eight years of industry experience. He previously worked at Commonwealth Financial Network for nine years and spent one year at Metrowest YMCA. 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, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

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® professional with 26 years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously held roles at TIAA-CREF and Ameriprise Advisor Services. 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 approximately $671 billion in assets and offers a range of brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research and analytics.

Steven Sutton is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Thomas Atkinson, Waddell & Reed, and various insurance carriers. He has also been self-employed during part of his career. 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, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

William Osman is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he focuses on helping individuals, families, and business owners make informed financial decisions and pursue their long-term goals. He works closely with clients to develop comprehensive strategies tailored to their unique circumstances, values, and objectives, providing guidance on building wealth, planning for retirement, preserving assets, creating legacies, and navigating financial transitions. His areas of expertise include corporate benefits, education planning, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, sports and entertainment, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. William holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. William earned a Bachelor's Degree from North Carolina State University and a Master's Degree with a concentration in Finance from East Carolina University. Born and raised in North Carolina, he is an Eagle Scout recipient. Outside of his professional work, William enjoys camping, cooking, football, golfing, hiking, ice hockey, music, soccer, spending time with his family, and watching movies.

Elizabeth Panos is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and bringing 10 years of industry experience. She has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and has worked at Wells Fargo Bank NA since 2015. 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 approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research and analytics.

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 in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with 18 years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously spent time at Federated Securities Corp. and Federated Investment Counseling in 2010. 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 approximately $671 billion in assets through more than 14,000 financial advisors and offers a range of brokerage and advisory solutions.

Shane Carter is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Fort Mill, SC, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC and various other firms. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a broad range of advisory and brokerage services, utilizing strategic and tactical allocations, third-party subadvisors, and technology tools to support its network of over 22,800 advisors.