Jim Charles, CFP®, CFA is the co-founder of Sanctuary Financial Planning, a flat-fee, fee-only firm specializing in retirement and major life transitions. He brings more than three decades experience in comprehensive financial planning, tax-efficient retirement income design, and evidence-based investment management. Jim is also the co-author of the best-selling book From Work to What’s Next – Designing a Life You Don’t Want to Retire From, a project rooted in his own “failed retirement.” After stepping away from work, Jim discovered firsthand that financial readiness and life readiness are two very different things. That experience inspired him to re-emerge with purpose and ultimately create Sanctuary — a firm dedicated to helping others design transitions that feel meaningful, not disorienting. At Sanctuary, clients receive ongoing financial planning, proactive tax strategy, and integrated wealth management — all for a single, transparent, flat fee. Our work focuses on: • Retirement income planning using dynamic, research-based withdrawal strategies • Tax-efficient portfolio management and multi-year tax planning • Social Security, Medicare, and transition decision support • Coordinated, ongoing financial planning across all areas of life and money Sanctuary’s model eliminates AUM fees, product sales, and asset minimums. Clients receive objective advice, continuous planning, and disciplined investment management designed to support a confident, purpose-filled transition into and through retirement — not just a financial plan, but a roadmap for what comes next.

Thomas Bengtson is a CFP® professional at Lakeshore Advisors with one year of industry experience. Before joining Lakeshore Advisors in 2026, he held various roles at PNC Bank, Nike, Northwestern Mutual, and the Georgia Tech Innovation Enterprise Institute. Lakeshore Advisors provides discretionary portfolio management and integrated financial planning to individual and high-net-worth clients, using a buy-and-hold investment approach grounded in modern portfolio theory. The firm also incorporates third-party asset managers and alternative investments and manages approximately $80.8 million across about 101 clients.

Kevin Blocker is a financial advisor at Linkside Financial LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 credentials with two years of industry experience. His prior work includes over 20 years at Horizon Investments LLC and roles at Quasar Distributors, LLC and Blocker Capital. Outside of advisory work, he is CEO and owner of multiple passive investment vehicles. Linkside Financial provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services to individual and high-net-worth clients, including former athletes, CEOs, and entrepreneurs. The firm employs a combination of technical, quantitative, and fundamental analysis for portfolio management and offers financial planning as part of its advisory services.

Maggie Smith is a financial advisor with IA Network, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and bringing 15 years of industry experience. She previously worked at FIRST Allied Securities, Inc. and Stockham Financial Services for 11 years. Outside of advisory duties, she serves as a Notary Public for Moore County. IA Network provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management and financial planning primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients, using tailored portfolio construction and a variety of analytical approaches. The firm operates as a collective of smaller advisory practices to share resources and infrastructure.

Patrick Wells is a CFA® charterholder based in Charlotte, NC, with one year of industry experience. He has worked at Broyhill Asset Management, LLC since 2024 and previously spent eight years at Pinnacle Associates Ltd. Broyhill Asset Management provides discretionary investment management to private funds, individuals, trusts, foundations, and other institutions, overseeing approximately $225 million in assets. The firm employs a value-oriented, long-term investment approach focused on fundamental analysis and concentrated equity portfolios, supplemented by external managers and diversified strategies.

Scott Cannady is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license with 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has been with Hayden Harper Wealth Advisory, LLC since 2014. Hayden Harper Wealth Advisory serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and families seeking family office support. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and comprehensive family office advisory services, utilizing internally developed asset-allocation models and a range of investment strategies including long-term holdings, short-term trading, and option-writing.

Cheryl Sherrard is a CFP® professional with 15 years of industry experience, currently serving at Clearview Wealth Management since 2013. She is based in Charlotte, NC, and is part of a four-advisor team. Clearview Wealth Management provides discretionary investment management and ongoing financial planning exclusively to individual clients, including high-net-worth households. The firm employs diversified portfolios and integrates financial planning into investment decisions while generally avoiding market timing and frequent trading.

Susan Burke is a financial advisor at iQvestment, LLC with 25 years of industry experience. She holds Series 66 and Series 63 designations. Prior to joining iQvestment in 2025, she spent 17 years at LPL Financial and briefly worked with FusionIQ, a FinTech firm providing back and middle office services to financial companies, where she occasionally assists with client servicing. iQvestment, LLC offers discretionary investment management and advisory services primarily through an online platform. The firm serves other independent advisory firms, institutional clients such as banks and credit unions, as well as individual and high-net-worth investors using model portfolios managed on a discretionary basis and rebalanced quarterly.

Justin Oxman is a financial advisor at 2pifinancial Corp. He holds a Series 65 credential and has been with the firm since 2026. Outside of his advisory role, he has operated One-on-One Tutoring LLC since 2002. 2pifinancial provides discretionary investment management and portfolio monitoring to individuals, high-net-worth individuals, trusts, small businesses, and estates. The firm uses an individualized, discretionary investment approach incorporating fundamental, technical, charting, and cyclical analysis, and manages approximately $1.5 million in assets across a small client base.

John Sanders Jr. is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license, with four years of industry experience. He has worked at Portus Wealth Advisors, LLC since 2021 and previously at SunTrust Bank and GenSpring Family Offices, LLC. Portus Wealth Advisors provides portfolio management, financial planning, and third-party manager selection for individuals, high net worth clients, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm also advises a private pooled vehicle and offers access to less-liquid investments, using firm-developed model portfolios and multiple custodial platforms to tailor investment advice to client objectives and risk tolerance.

Treven Ayers is a CFP® with 25 years of industry experience and is currently a financial advisor at Clearview Wealth Management, where he has worked since 2013. The firm provides discretionary investment management and financial planning exclusively to individual clients, including high-net-worth households. Clearview Wealth Management manages approximately $182.4 million in assets across 144 client relationships and emphasizes diversified portfolios, integrated planning, and client education through newsletters and seminars.

Charles Stockham is a financial advisor with IA Network, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 40 years of industry experience. His prior roles include extensive tenure at First Allied Securities and advisory positions at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments and First Allied Advisory Services. Outside of advisory work, he co-manages two family-owned LLCs involved in commercial real estate and farmland holdings. IA Network, LLC serves individual, high-net-worth, business, and institutional clients with discretionary and non-discretionary asset management and financial planning. The firm employs a range of analytical methods to tailor portfolios and offers access to SEI-managed separate accounts, retirement plan consulting, and plan-participant advisory services.

Samuel Di Fiore is a financial advisor at Sorfis Investments, LLC with three years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked as an analyst at Avenel Financial Group and Co/Investor Club. His prior experience includes a role with the Boston Bruins and involvement in various business activities since 2016. Sorfis Investments, LLC provides discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management and financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions. The firm employs cyclical and fundamental analysis, offering core strategies focused on diversification and absolute return, with an emphasis on risk management and tax efficiency.

Jessica Metso is a financial advisor at Arkagos Advisors & Asset Management, Inc. with four years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at Arkagos Advisors since 2020, with prior roles including positions at Brookstone Capital Management and State Farm. Outside of her advisory work, she is also licensed as an insurance producer. Arkagos Advisors and Asset Management provides portfolio management, financial planning, and advice on private investments to individual and high-net-worth clients, generally with a $750,000 minimum account threshold. The firm offers both discretionary and non-discretionary services and emphasizes private placements and private credit opportunities alongside a tailored investment approach using individual stocks and sector ETFs.

Wesley Lyon II is a CFP® professional with six years of industry experience, currently serving at Lyon Wealth Advisors Group, LLC. He previously worked at Dimensional Fund Advisors and holds leadership roles as President and CEO of McGill and Lyon Dental Advisors, a tax and business planning firm for dentists and specialists. He also speaks regularly at seminars and podcasts through The McGill & Hill Group, which focuses on professionals in the dental field. Lyon Wealth Advisors Group provides discretionary portfolio management and integrated financial planning to high net worth individuals, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm uses customized strategies based on Modern Portfolio Theory, primarily investing in low-cost mutual funds and ETFs, and is noted for its affiliation with tax and business advisory services focused on dental professionals.

Jeffrey Martin is a financial advisor at RPO Wealth Partners LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 65 designation with five years of industry experience. He has been with RPO Wealth Partners since 2020 and previously worked at Fifth Third Bank, N.A. from 2011 to 2020. RPO Wealth Partners LLC provides ongoing and standalone financial planning services to individuals and high-net-worth families, focusing exclusively on fee-for-service planning without managing client investment accounts. The firm’s approach includes a comprehensive planning framework covering a wide range of investment vehicles and maintains a small, planning-focused client base.

We specialize in working with families with portfolios in the $5M–$50M range, where strategic planning, tax efficiency, and cost management have an outsized impact. Traditional firms often rely on complex, high-cost strategies that offer questionable benefits. Our fixed-fee, planning-driven model takes a different approach: focusing on practical, high-impact financial strategies rather than unnecessary complication. We apply the right level of sophistication, using techniques like direct indexing and individual bond ladders only when we determine that they add clear value (based on portfolio size, risk profile, and tax considerations). Our financial planning and investment management approach is guided by three core principles: • Risk Management: grounded in a tailored financial plan • Tax Efficiency: ensuring strategies align with after-tax outcomes • Fee Minimization: keeping costs low to maximize long-term results Our goal is to provide a structured, transparent, and thoughtful approach - one that leads to a better long-term client experience through fair fees, strategic decision-making, and a focus on what truly matters.

Steven Abels is a financial advisor with The Financial Legacy Group in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 16 years of industry experience. He has worked at Innovation Partners LLC and Fortune Financial Services, Inc., among other firms. Abels is also a licensed life insurance sales agent. The Financial Legacy Group provides investment advisory, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, pooled investment vehicles, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm manages discretionary wrap fee portfolios primarily using exchange-traded funds, mutual funds, individual stocks, and options, and offers specialist consulting on private placements, private equity, real estate entities, and business transactions.

William Culp III is a CFP®, CFA®, and holds a Series 65 license with eight years of industry experience. He has been with Tagstone Capital, Inc. since 2011, based in Charlotte, NC. Tagstone Capital serves entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, families, and employee benefit plans, providing wealth management, portfolio management, and comprehensive planning services. The firm employs a systematic, long-term investment approach using structured asset-class mutual funds and ETFs, focusing on diversification, low fees, and tax efficiency.

Carlton Whitman is a financial advisor at Tassel Capital Management, Inc. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has 11 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Tassel Capital Management in 2015, he was with Wells Fargo Advisors LLC starting in 2014. Tassel Capital Management serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, managing approximately $266 million in discretionary assets. The firm uses a blend of modern portfolio theory and fundamental analysis to construct diversified portfolios, primarily utilizing low-cost mutual funds and ETFs while also employing individual stocks, bonds, and options when suitable.