Stephen Fordham V is a CFA® charterholder and holds a Series 63 license with 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2011. Outside of advisory work, he is involved in managing rental properties through a property management company. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a large national network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Larsen Wharton is an Investment Solutions Representative III at Fidelity Investments, a role held since 2026. Larsen has been with Fidelity since 2021, progressing through various positions including Investment Solutions Representative II and I, High Net Worth Service Associate, and Customer Relationship Advocate. This progression reflects extensive experience in client-facing roles within the investment solutions domain. In this capacity, Larsen collaborates with clients to understand their financial goals and develop strategies to support informed decision-making. Larsen leverages both personal experience and Fidelity's resources to assist clients in navigating their financial journeys. Outside of work, Larsen's interests include beach activities, family engagements, outdoor adventures, parenthood, and skiing.

Michael Irvin is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 credential and having approximately one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2026, he worked at Equitable Advisors, LLC, and has held various roles in different sectors including event security consulting through Staff-1 Services Group. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a large nationwide network of advisors and branch offices.

Andrew Mc Ilvain is a financial advisor at Cetera with nine years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Prior to joining Cetera in 2024, he worked at ADP LLC and ADP Broker-Dealer Inc. He is also a senior retirement services consultant at Financial Directions, LLC, providing consultative services on qualified retirement plan design and employee education. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser serving a broad client base including individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and consulting services through a nationwide network of independent advisors, utilizing a multi-manager platform with various program options and custodial relationships.

Dylan Howard is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Fidelity in Durham, NC, bringing three years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at United Textile Distribution and Frank Howard's Backhoe Service. He is affiliated with Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company that offers investment management and advisory services for retail and institutional clients, utilizing a blend of proprietary research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction. The firm also provides advisory services to multiple registered investment companies and develops model portfolios for intermediary platforms.

Samuel Bogaczyk is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Coastal Federal Credit Union, CUSO Financial Services, Bank of America, Merrill, and Yadkin Bank. He serves as a board member for Overflowing Hands, Inc., a nonprofit organization. LPL Financial is a national SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves individuals, retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a broad network of investment adviser representatives. The firm provides various advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services, with access to model portfolios, research, and advanced portfolio management technologies.

Mark Brackett is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Chapel Hill, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 46 years of industry experience. His career includes tenures at Bank of America, N.A. and Merrill before joining Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC in 2020. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a variety of advisory programs and tailored financial planning services supported by structured discovery and firm-approved tools. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and provides advisory services that often incorporate scenario modeling and planning but leave implementation and updates to clients.

Michael Ray is an Investment Consultant at Fidelity Investments. He serves as an advisor and foundational point of contact for clients seeking to build trusted relationships. Michael prioritizes understanding clients' goals to develop tailored financial plans and investment strategies aimed at pursuing their lifelong objectives. He has held multiple roles at Fidelity Investments, including Workplace Planning Associate in 2024, Workplace Planning Consultant I from 2024 to 2025, and Workplace Planning Consultant II from 2025 to 2026. This progression reflects his growing expertise in workplace planning and investment consultation. Outside of his professional work, Michael has interests in fitness, food, football, golf, lake activities, and traveling.

Douglas Richmond is a financial advisor at Osaic with Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 51 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Osaic in 2025, he spent 27 years at Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation. He is also licensed to offer various insurance products, including accident and health insurance, disability insurance, life settlements, premium financing, and traditional life insurance. Osaic Wealth, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations through a large network of affiliated advisers. The firm provides integrated brokerage and advisory services, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to multiple investment platforms and third-party money managers.

Sheri Lofton is a financial advisor with Merrill in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2008 and concurrently with Bank of America, N.A. since 2011. Merrill provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions program, serving a broad client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate fiduciaries, and offers a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies integrated within Bank of America’s corporate platform.

Robert Alger is a CFP® professional with 26 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Raymond James Financial in Raleigh, NC. He has been with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. since 2012 and owns Alger Financial, an investment firm based in Raleigh. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. serves a diverse client base, including individual investors, high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, corporations, and municipal entities. The firm provides financial planning and non-discretionary investment consulting, emphasizing tailored financial plans developed through risk profiling and asset-allocation analysis.

Susan Ledford is a financial advisor with Merrill in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 37 years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill since 1989 and has also been affiliated with Bank of America, N.A. since 2011. Merrill provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions program, offering a variety of model-based, discretionary, and tax-aware investment strategies to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate fiduciaries. The firm is integrated within Bank of America’s broader corporate platform, providing access to a wide range of products and services.

Robert Bodmer is a Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Portfolio Manager with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designations, recognizing his expertise in investment management and retirement benefits consulting. Robert brings over two decades of experience, having joined Merrill Lynch in June 2000, and specializes in managing portfolios through personalized and defined strategies that incorporate individual securities, Merrill model portfolios, and third-party investments. As a Senior Portfolio Manager, he has the flexibility to manage client assets on a discretionary basis and collaborates with other Merrill Advisors to extend his strategies to a broader client base. Robert has professional experience in both profit and non-profit sectors and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Tampa. His practice focuses on working with affluent families, corporate executives, and business owners to address financial goals such as retirement planning, family wealth management, college education funding, and portfolio management services. He integrates financial strategies including tax-efficient investments, discretionary money management, and risk management in coordination with specialists at Bank of America and Merrill. In addition to his professional role, Robert participates in community outreach initiatives with Bank of America. He enjoys outdoor activities such as biking, boating, camping, and fishing. His approach emphasizes developing personalized financial strategies to pursue clients' long-term objectives through one-on-one collaboration.

Christine Singer is a financial advisor at Fidelity with eight years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials. Her prior work includes roles at Fidelity Brokerage Services, Cambridge Proofreading, and the State of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to a diverse client base, including retail and institutional investors. The firm combines fundamental research with quantitative analysis and algorithmic portfolio construction, offering discretionary and non-discretionary management along with fund advisory services.

Kevin Cecil is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 24 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2007 and holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in fixed insurance and annuities sales and maintains direct agent contracts with several insurance companies. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a wide range of advisory programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, supported by research and technology, including discretionary and non-discretionary management and diverse investment strategies.

Heather Green is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Chapel Hill, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and having 10 years of industry experience. Her prior firms include Stifel Nicolaus & Co Inc and SunTrust Advisory Services. She is also commissioned as a North Carolina Notary Public. 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 and utilizes proprietary research and model-based asset allocations to tailor client solutions.

Meghan Porter serves as a Resident Director at Merrill, where she focuses on wealth management for high-net-worth individuals, their families, and businesses. Her role involves delivering investment insights, banking convenience, and lending solutions through Bank of America, while leveraging a global network of specialists to support clients in navigating today's changing financial markets. Meghan emphasizes a goals-based wealth management platform to develop and personalize financial strategies that align with clients' life priorities and aspirations. With a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Trust and Wealth Management from Campbell University, Meghan is a CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). She assists clients with estate planning, investments, wealth transfer, retirement income, and services related to defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Her expertise extends to institutional investment consulting, legacy planning, employee benefits, portfolio management, and strategies tailored for women and wealth. Beyond her professional commitments, Meghan is active in the community as a board member for the North Carolina Educational Scholarship Fund and a member of the Junior League of the Palm Beaches. She resides in Cary with her husband and enjoys music, family time, and traveling.

Todd Gaertner is Vice President and Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2021. He has been with Fidelity since 2007, progressing through multiple positions including Financial Consultant, Investment Consultant, Financial Representative, and Retirement Investment Services. His career in financial services dates back to 1993, with experience in stock brokering and trading at various firms such as First Hanover Securities, M S Farrell, M H Meyerson, Schwab Capital Markets, and Cummins Financial. Throughout his career, Todd has worked extensively in financial consulting, investment consulting, and retirement investment services, leveraging a comprehensive background in trading and market making. He collaborates with clients to develop personalized financial plans aimed at aligning with their needs and long-term goals while enhancing clarity and confidence in their financial decisions.

Antoinette Russell is a financial advisor at Fidelity with a Series 66 credential and one year of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at Lenovo, Greene Resources, Abrigo, ArchiveSocial, and Best Buy. Outside of advising, she operates an e-commerce business with Amway Vitality Essentials and participates as an Amazon Associate. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, utilizing a combination of proprietary fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to develop model portfolios from mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.

Matthew Desocio is a financial advisor at Fidelity with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Fidelity since 2021, with prior employment including roles at East Carolina University and Jaguar Land Rover of Raleigh. Fidelity's Strategic Advisers LLC, where Desocio is affiliated, provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including registered investment companies. The firm uses a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage discretionary and non-discretionary portfolios.