Carman Hicks II is a CFP® with 27 years of industry experience, currently serving at Hicks & Associates Wealth Management, LLC since 2022. He previously worked at WealthShield Partners, LLC and Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Since 2013, he has also engaged in fiduciary activities acting as attorney-in-fact, trustee, conservator, guardian, executor, or personal representative. Hicks & Associates Wealth Management primarily serves individual and high net worth clients, offering discretionary portfolio management and non-discretionary financial planning. The firm employs a Multi-Strategy Investment Management Process that integrates fundamental and technical analysis with various investment strategies overseen by an Investment Committee.

Matthew Archer is a financial advisor with AIM Advisors, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 26 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Triad Advisors, Inc. and Arkadios Capital. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved as an independent agent with The Cason Group, which focuses on life insurance and long-term care products. AIM Advisors, LLC serves individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans by providing discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan services. The firm employs a globally diversified investment approach based on modern portfolio theory, utilizing mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, bonds, and alternative investments tailored to client objectives and risk tolerances.

Emily Burgess is a financial advisor at AIM Advisors, LLC in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation. She has experience working at Campbell University and Arkadios Capital, as well as being self-employed and employed in other roles prior to joining AIM Advisors. AIM Advisors serves individuals, families, businesses, and retirement plans, providing discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan services. The firm manages approximately $138 million across about 163 client relationships, employing an investment approach based on modern portfolio theory with a focus on global diversification.

William Sloan is a CFP® professional with 33 years of experience in the financial advisory industry. He has worked at Intercarolina Financial Services, Inc. for 25 years and has been with Sound Financial Management, Inc. since 1997. Sloan holds the Series 63 license and is based in Raleigh, NC. Sound Financial Management, Inc. provides discretionary and non-discretionary asset management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $110.7 million in discretionary assets, employing both fundamental and technical analysis to tailor portfolio strategies, with regular reviews for suitability, rebalancing, and tax-loss harvesting.

Bret Tackett is a CFP® professional with 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Tackett Wealth Management, LLC since 2009, where he is one of two advisors at the firm based in Cary, NC. Tackett Wealth Management provides investment supervisory services, wealth management, and financial planning primarily to select retirees and small business owners. The firm manages approximately $62 million in client assets and employs an investment approach grounded in academic research, emphasizing broad diversification, tax efficiency, and low-cost funds.

William Sigmon III is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with Physicians Financial Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC. He has two years of industry experience, including prior work with The Wealth Group, Ltd, and a decade of service in the United States Navy. Physicians Financial Services, Inc. provides personalized wealth management, financial and tax planning, and retirement strategies for individuals, corporations, and nonprofit entities. The firm employs a contrarian, value-oriented investment approach focused on financially strong, cash-rich companies and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management tailored to client objectives.

David Hellinger is a financial advisor with Independent Wealth Advisors, LLC in Cary, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 22 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes a long tenure at LPL Financial. Independent Wealth Advisors provides portfolio management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients through its Strategic Wealth Management platform. The firm combines various analytical approaches and maintains a monthly-reviewed investment committee to tailor portfolios according to each client’s risk tolerance and time horizon.

Nicholas Ross is a CFP® professional with two years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Ark Royal Wealth Management LLC in Raleigh, NC. His prior experience includes a one-year tenure at Truist and several years in educational roles prior to entering the financial advisory field. Ark Royal Wealth Management LLC provides discretionary investment management and financial planning to individuals, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm emphasizes long-term strategies based on Modern Portfolio Theory and uses primarily passively managed funds, with tailored portfolio management and financial education seminars as part of its service offerings.

Parker Holland is a financial advisor at Capital Financial Advisory Group, LLC with 11 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation and Series 66 license. His prior work history includes roles at Sofos Investments, Inc., EQIS Capital Management, Inc., and World Equity Group, Inc. Holland is also a licensed independent insurance agent in North Carolina, incorporating insurance products as part of his financial planning. Capital Financial Advisory Group serves individuals, families, businesses, charities, and small pension clients by providing financial planning and advisory services. The firm uses a customized planning process and refers clients to select third-party managers without taking custody or direct investment discretion of assets.

Terrance Green is a CFP® with 22 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Blue Water Capital Management, LLC. He has been with Blue Water Capital Management since 2006. Blue Water Capital Management serves individual and high-net-worth clients as well as charitable organizations, offering portfolio management and financial planning tailored to client goals and risk tolerance. The firm employs modern portfolio theory and primarily invests in ETFs and mutual funds, with access to a broad range of alternative investments, and operates with institutional support from Charles Schwab.

Aaron Maassel is a financial advisor at Top Rank Wealth Management, LLC with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has previously worked at CoreCap Advisors, LLC and Voyageur Financial. In addition to advising, he practices law and provides estate planning services as an attorney. Top Rank Wealth Management offers discretionary asset management and financial planning services tailored to individuals and high-net-worth clients, using technical, charting, and quantitative analysis. The firm integrates advisory services with affiliated insurance and legal planning activities.

Arne Morris Sr. is a financial advisor at Townsend Asset Management Corp. in Raleigh, NC, with 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Townsend since 2017 and previously worked for 16 years at McGladrey Wealth Management LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he is a partner and managing member of several investment firms focused on real estate holdings. Townsend Asset Management serves individuals, trusts, corporations, and non-profits, providing investment management, financial planning, consulting, and tax preparation services. The firm employs a disciplined approach using fundamental and technical analysis to manage portfolios, which are generally long-term oriented and include a range of investment strategies.

Kurt Underhill is a financial advisor with First Financial Group in Raleigh, NC, holding the Series 66 designation and bringing 22 years of industry experience. He has been with First Financial Group since 2012 and has also been involved with Mood Food Records, a record label, since 1994. First Financial Group serves individual investors, trusts, estates, and business entities, offering portfolio management and financial planning tailored to both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs a client-driven investment process that includes fundamental and cyclical analysis, customized portfolios, and may utilize non-core strategies such as option writing and margin transactions.

Brooks Nichols is a CFP® professional at LifePlan Group with three years of industry experience. He has worked at firms including Fidelity Investments and Strategic Advisers LLC before joining LifePlan Group. LifePlan Group provides financial planning and discretionary portfolio management to individuals, businesses, and employer-sponsored retirement plans, focusing on retirement planning and coordinating tax, insurance, and estate considerations. The firm uses diversified portfolio models and maintains ongoing advisory services tailored to client goals and risk tolerances.

Kenneth Stephenson is a ChFC® credentialed financial advisor with 18 years of industry experience. He is affiliated with Quest 10 Wealth Builders, Inc. and has previously worked at Global Financial Private Capital and Q3 Asset Management Corp. In addition to his advisory role, he owns and operates Willow Springs Turf, LLC, a sod farming business. Quest 10 Wealth Builders, Inc. serves individual and high-net-worth clients, corporations, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, using a range of investment strategies and conducting regular account reviews.

Robert Revels is a CFP® and CFA® with six years of experience in financial advisory roles, currently serving at PieCapital since 2024. His prior experience includes positions at Balentine and BB&T. Outside of his advisory work, he is the author of a children's book titled *Bull & Bear Grow Together*, which teaches kids about money, and serves on the unpaid board of Strong Gray Line Corporation, a nonprofit associated with the West Point Class of 2004. PieCapital provides portfolio management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients, managing approximately $69 million for 22 clients. The firm combines fundamental analysis, modern portfolio theory, and quantitative methods, employing a range of investment strategies across various asset classes within a single-advisor structure.

Nicholas Beglane is a financial advisor at Raleigh Capital Management Inc. with five years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations. His career includes roles at Quincy Wells Capital, Raleigh Wealth Solutions, Fidelity Investments, and Equitable Advisors. Raleigh Capital Management serves individuals, business entities, trusts, and retirement plans by providing financial planning, discretionary investment management, and referrals to outside money managers. The firm manages approximately $398 million in discretionary assets and typically uses a manager-of-managers approach, selecting sub-advisers and model portfolios through third-party platforms while conducting ongoing monitoring and reallocations.

Lance Ray is a CFP® with 27 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Bellwether Investment Group, LLC since 2016. He has concurrently worked as a self-employed fixed insurance sales agent since 1998, focusing on life and health insurance products. Bellwether Investment Group serves individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as businesses, trusts, and retirement plans, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services. The firm employs a combined fundamental and technical investment approach and maintains multiple offices despite its relatively small team size.

Kyle Roth is a financial advisor at Fortress Private Ledger, LLC with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and is based in Raleigh, NC. Outside of his advisory work, Roth has been involved in the dental industry for over two decades, working with Encompass Dental Practice Transitions and Carolina Dental Arts. Fortress Private Ledger serves individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and other entities, providing a range of services including financial planning, portfolio management, and Qualified Opportunity Zone advisory. The firm uses a model-driven investment process that incorporates trend identification, technical analysis, and a variety of other strategies, with portfolios monitored regularly and managed through in-house or sub-advised solutions.

Robert Bulloch is a financial advisor with SB Advisory, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 31 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Infinity Financial Services Advisory, Infinity Financial Services, LPL Financial, and Morgan Stanley. SB Advisory, LLC is a multi-team advisory firm serving individuals, businesses, and retirement plans with approximately $1.1 billion in assets under management. The firm primarily provides non-discretionary investment advice, utilizing mutual funds, ETFs, undervalued equities, and outside managers with fundamental, technical, and qualitative analysis.