Richard Knudson is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group in Chattanooga, TN, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and four years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at NYLIFE Securities LLC, New York Life, and Advanced Sterilization Products. He has been with Empower Advisory Group since 2026 following work at Empower Financial Services. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as select IRA and retail brokerage clients. The firm offers integrated services connected to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms, focusing on long-term portfolio returns, annual rebalancing, and client savings rates.

Harrison Fisher is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. His prior work history includes roles at Wells Fargo Clearing, Bank of America, Merrill, and Centerra-SRS. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate and business clients, retirement plan sponsors and participants, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a combination of discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting, supported by AI-enabled research tools and an integrated inter-affiliate operating structure.

Clifford Gould is a financial advisor with GWN Securities Inc. in Soddy Daisy, TN, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He has been with GWN Securities since 2016 and has prior experience with Consolidated Retirement Services dating back to 1996. In addition to his advisory work, he is involved in managing fixed annuity and life insurance agencies and participates in business referrals related to cost segregation studies. GWN Securities is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individual and business clients through discretionary managed accounts, financial planning, and access to third-party sub-advisers. The firm offers a range of managed-account programs and model portfolios, including legacy market-timing and momentum-based strategies uncommon for firms of its size.

Judith Harkleroad is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 30 years of industry experience. She has held positions at Truist Advisory Services since 2016 and has been with Truist Investment Services, Inc. since 1998. Her professional credentials include Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a combination of discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting, supported by third-party platform arrangements and AI-enabled research tools to assist in manager selection and oversight.

Jeffrey Flowers is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group, holding a Series 66 designation and 22 years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Gwfs Equities, Inc., FTB Advisors, Inc., and LPL Financial. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage account holders. The firm uses an integrated model connected to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms, offering both single “point-in-time” financial plans and optional managed account solutions.

Brendan Hawks is a CFP® professional with seven years of industry experience, currently with Truist Advisory Services. He has been with Truist and its affiliated entities since 2019. In addition to his advisory role, he serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, teaching entry-level personal finance courses. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by third-party platforms and uses AI-enabled tools to assist in manager selection and investment oversight.

Melissa Boyd is a financial advisor at Brookstone Capital Management LLC with two years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Sagepoint Financial, Inc. and AmeriLife of Tennessee. Brookstone Capital Management provides fee-based asset management and financial planning services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, and other business entities. The firm employs strategic and dynamic asset-allocation models and offers discretionary portfolio management through a turnkey asset management platform and a wrap-fee program.

Herbert Frazier Jr. is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and eight years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Cetera Investment Services, Regions Bank, and Prudential Insurance Company of America. He is also appointed as an agent to sell non-securities insurance products for AGIA. Valic Financial Advisors serves primarily U.S. individuals, including high net worth clients and employer-sponsored retirement participants, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and discretionary unified managed accounts through a large network of investment advisors.

Joseph Parker is a financial advisor with Transamerica Retirement Advisors, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and three years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Transamerica Investors Securities Corporation, The Prudential Insurance Company of America, New York Life Insurance Company, and FedEx Ground. Transamerica Retirement Advisors serves participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans and IRA owners, offering managed advice programs and investment education that emphasize asset allocation, contribution rates, and retirement age guidance. The firm relies on Morningstar Investment Management for portfolio construction and oversight, operating at scale with over 212,000 clients and 301 advisors.

Vernon Thornton is a CFP® with eight years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC. His prior experience includes roles at Freedom Street Partners and Raymond James Financial Services. He is a board member of the nonprofit Ignite Living. Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC is an SEC-registered enterprise RIA managing approximately $36.7 billion in assets. The firm serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension plans, corporations, trusts, and charitable organizations, offering a range of investment advisory, financial planning, and managed account services.

Kayla Fortanel is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services, holding a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Ameriprise and Freedom Planning Partners. Outside of advising, she serves as treasurer for the Chattanooga Medical Group Management Association and is a board member of The Hope House. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm offers direct advisory programs, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers through various advisory and promoter arrangements.

Celeste Friend is a CFP® professional with 24 years of experience in the financial services industry. She is currently with Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. and has previously worked at firms including Valic Financial Advisors and Bellwether Investment Group. Outside of advisory services, she also holds a position as an independent insurance agent. Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. is an enterprise-scale advisory and broker-dealer firm serving individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement advisory services through a blend of in-house and third-party investment strategies, emphasizing client-centered, often non-discretionary account management.

Darius Gallaher is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc., holding a Series 66 designation and bringing six years of industry experience. He has worked with Bankers Life Securities since 2020 and has been associated with Bankers Life & Casualty since 2017, where he also serves as a unit field trainer. Gallaher is involved in insurance sales and training activities outside of his advisory role. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals through discretionary portfolio management, non-discretionary consulting, and retirement plan services. The firm employs fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to develop tailored asset allocations and portfolio management strategies aligned with clients' goals and risk tolerances.

Lucille Townsend is a financial advisor at Transamerica Financial Advisors with 2 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at JP Morgan Chase for 31 years. Townsend is also involved in selling insurance and non-insurance products affiliated with Transamerica Financial Advisors. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a diverse client base including individual investors, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm offers a range of advisory and broker-dealer services, including fee-based wrap programs, proprietary and third-party model portfolios, and commission-based insurance and brokerage products.

Kyle Hodnett is a financial advisor at Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. with six years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation along with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Kyle also serves as an insurance agent and unit sales manager, where he manages and trains a team of agents and is appointed to write business for Medicare Supplement, annuity, life, health, and long-term care insurance products. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. primarily serves mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals through discretionary portfolio management, investment consulting, and retirement plan services. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis methods to create tailored asset allocations and manages portfolios across various securities with periodic reviews and rebalancing.

Bobby Futch is a financial advisor with Foundations Investment Advisors LLC, holding a Series 65 designation and 14 years of industry experience. He has previously worked at Patton Albertson Miller Group, LLC for nine years and is currently associated with both Foundations Investment Advisors and Guardian Investment Advisors. Foundations Investment Advisors, LLC provides financial planning and portfolio management to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, and registered investment companies. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis along with model portfolios and asymmetric rebalancing, supported by a large network of affiliated offices and a range of investment and advisory services.

Julie Wilson is a financial advisor with Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. She holds Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and has 31 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at UBS Financial Services and Wells Fargo Clearing. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an integrated broker-dealer and registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm provides a range of services including wrap-fee advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, investment management consulting, brokerage services, and certain M&A advisory services.

Connor Presnell is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with one year of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Butler Lexus of South Atlanta and 27 Baseball. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to certain retail brokerage clients. The firm delivers services through an integrated model linked to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms, focusing on long-term portfolio returns and regular rebalancing.

Joseph Pollak is a financial advisor with Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc., holding a Series 63 designation and bringing 27 years of industry experience. He has worked at Benjamin F. Edwards since 2011, following prior roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an integrated broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm offers a range of services including wrap-fee advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, investment management, brokerage, insurance products, and M&A advisory services.

Sandra Dittus is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and Personal Financial Specialist™ (PFS™) with 11 years of industry experience. She is currently with Principal Financial Services and has previously worked at Raymond James Financial Services and Pinnacle Financial Partners. Dittus serves on several local investment committees, including the Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga and the Mizpah Congregation, and is Secretary/Treasurer of the Hamilton County Schools Fund for Excellence. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm offers direct advisory programs, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers through various advisory and promoter arrangements.