Austin Smith is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors in Towson, MD, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. He has worked at Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. and The Legacy Group, Inc. since 2017 and previously held positions at the United States Postal Service and Trazzi and Grasso. Outside of his advisory role, he is an independent insurance agent with The Legacy Group, Inc. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered adviser serving individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and retirement-plan sponsors. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services through a network of independent professionals, utilizing proprietary and third-party model strategies with both discretionary and non-discretionary investment options.

Duray Taylor is a financial advisor at Merrill with 20 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Merrill since 2021, following seven years at UBS Financial Services Inc. before that. 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, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Robert Stauffer III is a financial advisor at Stifel with 23 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Stifel Nicolaus & Co. since 2014. Stifel serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutional clients, charitable organizations, and municipal entities, offering brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm employs a proprietary investment methodology developed by its Investment Strategy Group, providing asset allocation and planning analyses that support client decision-making.

Christina Marsalek is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Crofton, MD, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and 27 years of industry experience. She has been with Primerica Advisors since 1998 and with Primerica Financial Services since 1995. In addition to her advisory role, she is involved in the sale of loan products and home security and automation services through affiliated companies. Primerica Advisors offers discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, serving individual and high-net-worth clients with model-delivery strategies and discretionary separately managed accounts. The firm curates third-party asset managers and uses a tiered wrap fee structure, providing portfolio management focused on retail investors rather than institutional plans.

Knoll Axt is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 27 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015 and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009. His prior experience includes roles at Citigroup Global Markets and Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs that include tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and methodologies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and provides services through its Financial Advisors and Estate Planning Strategies Group.

Walter Johnson is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and over 43 years of industry experience. He has worked at Raymond James since 2020 and previously spent multiple years at Wells Fargo Advisors and Wells Fargo Clearing. Outside of his advisory role, Johnson is a partner in a family farming operation with his spouse. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to individual, high-net-worth, institutional, and nonprofit clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary consulting using risk profiling and analytical tools, and supports various advisory programs with a broad network of advisors.

John Rohe III is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Columbia, MD, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and possessing 12 years of industry experience. He has worked at Equitable Advisors since 2014 and was previously with Axa Advisors LLC. He also operates under the DBA Phoenix Private Wealth. Equitable Advisors serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutional clients, providing financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and a variety of asset-management programs. The firm utilizes a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and relies on third-party advisory models and programs to tailor solutions for clients.

Benjamin Mohan is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with Series 66 credentials and experience beginning in 2023. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2024, he worked at Rockefeller Capital Management and has an academic background including roles at Bucknell University and Sewickley Academy. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning supported by firm‑approved tools and a structured discovery process. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and delivers services both directly and through Corporate Financial Planning agreements.

Jonathan Saxon is a financial advisor with Edelman Financial Engines in Towson, MD. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 22 years of industry experience. He has worked with Edelman Financial Engines and its predecessor entities since 2010. Edelman Financial Engines provides technology-enabled investment advisory and financial planning services to individual investors, retirement-plan participants, and institutional clients. The firm uses a committee-driven modeling process combined with planner delivery and online tools, offering diversified model portfolios and both discretionary and non-discretionary investment options.

Susan Van Metre is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Baltimore, MD, holding a Series 66 designation and 14 years of industry experience. She has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2011. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service targeting individuals with at least $1,000,000 in net investable assets, providing written Recommendation Reports that address income sources, Social Security options, and tax-efficient withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax analysis to deliver non-discretionary recommendations, with an emphasis on assets held in Ameriprise Managed Accounts and a process supported by algorithmic automation and oversight committees.

Ian Weisser is a financial advisor at Osaic with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Lincoln Financial Advisors, Penn Mutual Life Insurance Co, and Hornor Townsend & Kent Inc. In addition to his advisory role, he is an owner and agent of Weisser Financial Inc., where he offers fixed annuities and traditional life insurance. Osaic Wealth, Inc. serves a diverse range of retail and institutional clients through a large network of affiliated advisers and multiple advisory platforms. The firm provides integrated brokerage and investment advisory services, including financial planning and access to third-party money managers, utilizing advanced asset-allocation tools and various investment products.

Christian Backus is a financial advisor at Merrill with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Bank of America and Merrill since 2018. Prior to his financial advisory career, he was employed at Verizon Wireless for seven years. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Uka Saran is currently a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role held since 2022. In this position, Uka focuses on simplifying financial planning and developing personalized strategies that align with clients' goals using Fidelity's tools and resources. Uka has been in the financial services industry since 2014, beginning as a Client Services Specialist at TD Ameritrade. Over the years, Uka advanced through roles including Business Development Specialist, Financial Consultant, and Senior Financial Consultant at TD Ameritrade before joining Fidelity Investments. Specific details regarding Uka's education, credentials, personal interests, or community involvement were not provided.

James Mugele is a financial advisor with Robert W. Baird & Co. in Towson, MD, holding a Series 66 designation and 27 years of industry experience. He has been with Robert W. Baird & Co. since 2009. He is part of The DDK Group, a team within Robert W. Baird & Co.’s Private Wealth Management practice that serves individuals, families, pensions, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutional clients. The group offers tailored financial planning and portfolio management services, utilizing both in-house and third-party managers across a range of investment strategies.

Xander Bauguess is a financial advisor at Equitable Advisors with a Series 66 designation and approximately one year of industry experience. His background includes roles at Tri-M Group LLC, Wagner College, Hofstra University, and several entrepreneurial ventures such as an auto detailing business and a fishing charter. Equitable Advisors serves a diverse client base ranging from individual investors to institutional clients, providing financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and various asset management programs through a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and third-party sponsors.

Keith Silverstein is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management with over three decades of experience in financial advising and retirement planning. Since beginning his career in 1987 and joining Merrill in 2005, Keith has worked with self-motivated entrepreneurs, professionals, and affluent individuals and their families to develop strategic financial plans designed to withstand various market conditions. Keith holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland and a Master's degree in finance from the University of Baltimore. He has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. His expertise includes retirement planning, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, and retirement income. Keith emphasizes understanding clients' needs, goals, and risk tolerance, utilizing sophisticated Merrill tools to tailor customized investment strategies. In addition to his professional work, Keith is active in community organizations including The Associated and The Nikki Perlow Foundation. He resides in Owings Mills, MD, with his wife and enjoys personal interests such as basketball, golfing, music, skiing, tennis, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Jarrett Gounaris is a financial advisor at RBC Capital Markets with 29 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations. His career includes roles at City National Bank, Bank of America, and Merrill. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, serves a wide range of clients including individual investors, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers various wrap fee advisory programs with tailored strategies implemented through a mix of in-house and third-party managers, providing discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, custody, and brokerage services.

Derek Dimanno is a CFP® with 22 years of experience in the financial industry. He has been with LPL Financial since 2019 and previously worked at Nationwide Securities for 15 years. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with the Stastny Insurance Agency and DRD Inc., focusing on non-variable insurance products. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, retirement plans, banks, and institutions through a broad advisory platform. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management services, utilizing both proprietary research and third-party strategies.

Laura Strott is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and possessing 26 years of industry experience. She has worked at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. since 2003 and at Charles Schwab Bank since 2005. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and related managed-account and financial planning services. The firm combines non-discretionary advisory relationships with access to affiliated discretionary separately managed accounts, offering multi-asset model portfolios and alternative investment options supported by centralized operational and supervisory structures.

Tim Kecken is the Vice President Private Wealth Management Advisor at Fidelity Investments. In this role, he collaborates closely with clients to develop customized wealth strategies that focus on the growth, preservation, and transfer of their wealth. He leverages Fidelity's extensive resources, including a team of specialists, to align financial plans with the priorities and values of clients and their families. Tim has been with Fidelity Investments since 2006, holding various positions such as Wealth Management Advisor in Private Wealth Management since 2021, Vice President and Branch Leader from 2018 to 2021, Regional Planning Consultant from 2012 to 2018, Senior Portfolio Specialist from 2010 to 2012, Portfolio Specialist from 2009 to 2010, Relationship Manager in the Private Client Group from 2008 to 2009, Mutual Fund, Equity, and Options Trader from 2007 to 2008, and Financial Representative from 2006 to 2007. He holds a California Insurance License. Outside of his professional work, Tim enjoys attending concerts, cooking and baking, running, snowboarding, surfing, and traveling.