Grady Smith is an investment advisor representative with Principal Financial Services in Garner, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 registrations and nine years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Jones Advisors, Jones Insurance Agency, Hornor Townsend & Kent Inc, and Penn Mutual Life Insurance Co. He is also engaged in the sale of fixed insurance products such as life, disability, long-term care insurance, and fixed annuities. 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, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager solutions.

Edward Parent Jr. is a financial advisor at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has worked previously at LPL Financial, Independent Advisor Alliance, and Commonwealth Financial Network. He serves on the Finance Committee of Friendly Avenue Baptist Church. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and businesses, offering portfolio management, wrap programs, and financial planning. The firm emphasizes IAR-led financial assessments and employs various analytical methods to manage diversified investment portfolios.

Jazmine Stewart is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. She holds a Series 66 designation and has two years of industry experience. Prior to joining her current firm, she worked at Sage Rutty & Company, Inc. and Allstate. Outside of advisory work, she owns a natural skincare products business called Khyra Sapphire. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. serves individual, pension, charitable, and corporate clients through advisory and brokerage services, offering portfolio management, automated investing platforms, tax-aware strategies, and financial planning. The firm’s investment approach includes assessments of client needs and risk tolerance and utilizes a mix of fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis.

Robert Greer Jr. is a CFA® charterholder and Series 66 licensee with one year of experience in financial advisory. He currently works at Truist Advisory Services, where he has been employed since 2024. Previously, he spent 11 years at Bank of America. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a combination of discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting, supported by third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools, to deliver its investment solutions.

H. Hughes is a CFP® professional with 14 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network. Their career includes five years at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. and multiple roles within Commonwealth Financial Network and Pathfinder Wealth Consulting. Outside of advisory work, Hughes is involved in fixed insurance sales through an activity called Cross Bridge. Commonwealth Financial Network is a dual-registered broker/dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,900 advisors and managing about $212.7 billion in client assets. The firm offers a range of advisory support services including managed-account programs, third-party asset manager access, and custody services.

Janet Pearson is a financial advisor at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with 29 years of industry experience. She has been with First Citizens Investor Services in various capacities since 1994, except for a two-year period of unemployment from 2021 to 2023. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm employs a client-focused process that includes comprehensive financial assessments and a diversified investment approach across equities, fixed income, mutual funds, and ETFs.

Ashok Tapadia is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 31 years of industry experience. He has been with Primerica Advisors since 1999 and has concurrent roles with CP Advisory Services, Inc. and Guardian Life Insurance Company since 1993. Tapadia is also involved in insurance services beyond Guardian and has a real estate-related business activity with Fathom Realty. Primerica Advisors is part of an enterprise firm serving a broad retail client base, offering brokerage and advisory services along with financial and business consulting. The firm utilizes a range of investment strategies through proprietary and third-party platforms and supports various account-level services including lending solutions and donor-advised funds.

Destiney Deschaines is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Primerica Advisors with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Primerica, she held roles at Guardian Life Insurance Company and Equitable Advisors. She is also a co-owner of J&D Cutter Row, LLC, a family business focused on real estate. Primerica Advisors serves a broad retail client base, offering brokerage and advisory services, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting through a variety of proprietary and third-party investment programs.

Stephanie Bruneau is a financial advisor with Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing six years of industry experience. She has worked at Ameritas since 2020 in various affiliated entities and is currently associated with Generations Wealth Management. In addition to her advisory role, she serves as a Senior Account Executive at Boston 128 Insurancy Agency Inc., focusing on fixed insurance products. Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm utilizes a range of investment products and program platforms to build customized portfolios and incorporates affiliated entities in its mutual holding company structure.

Johnna Kendrick is a financial advisor at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 16 years of industry experience. Her prior work includes positions at Edward Jones, BB&T Investments, and various entities within the First Citizens organization. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. serves individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients, offering advisory and brokerage services with a range of portfolio management and financial planning solutions. The firm’s approach combines fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis tailored through IAR-led client assessments.

Jesse Bencivenga is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 12 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Wells Fargo Advisors, Wells Fargo Bank, and First Citizens Bank. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities, offering portfolio management, model portfolios, and financial planning through a process that incorporates fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to allocate across asset classes.

James Baker is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc., holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He previously worked at LPL Financial for seven years before joining First Citizens Investor Services in 2020. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the board of his condominium homeowners association. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm employs a client process focused on financial needs assessment and diversified portfolio allocation, offering products such as unified managed accounts, wrap programs, and tax-aware services.

Thomas Smith is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at First Citizens Bank, Oak Valley Golf Course, North Carolina State University, YMCA, Members Credit Union, and Davie County Schools. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm employs a client-centered process using fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to manage portfolios across various asset classes.

James Phillips III is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and three years of industry experience. Prior to his advisory role, he spent ten years managing operations at Clyde Phillips Seafood, where he remains involved in the business’s apparel sales as a sole proprietor. First Citizens Investor Services serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, and charitable organizations, providing advisory and brokerage services through various portfolio management options and financial planning. The firm emphasizes IAR-led client assessments and employs fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis in asset allocation across multiple investment vehicles.

Jessie Harris is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 12 years of industry experience. She is currently affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network and is co-owner of Cardinal Hill Wealth Management. Prior to her current roles, she worked at Edward Jones for eight years. Commonwealth Financial Network is a dual-registered broker/dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,900 advisors and managing about $212.7 billion in client assets. The firm provides a comprehensive adviser-support platform, including managed account programs, third-party asset manager access, and custody/clearing services.

Angela Novak is a financial advisor at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses with 17 years of industry experience. Her career includes roles at Wells Fargo Bank and Wells Fargo Clearing from 2008 to 2023 before joining First Citizens in 2023. First Citizens Investor Services serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and businesses, providing advisory and brokerage services through various portfolio management and financial planning solutions. The firm emphasizes IAR-led assessments and a combination of fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis for portfolio allocation.

Quinton Libsack is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 credential and one year of industry experience. His previous roles include positions at Cetera Investment Advisors, Cetera Wealth Services, and The John R. McAdams Company, Inc. He also serves as a board member for the Washington Terrace Homeowners Association. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm employs a client-centered process integrating fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to allocate investments across various asset classes.

Fredena James is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Raleigh, NC. She holds the Series 66 designation and has 17 years of industry experience. Ms. James has been with First Citizens Investor Services since 2001. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities by providing advisory and brokerage services. The firm’s investment approach includes IAR-led assessments and a combination of fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis across various asset classes.

Amber Vaughn is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. with three years of industry experience. Prior to joining First Citizens Investor Services, she held roles at Havoc Brewing LLC and Equitable Advisors. Vaughn has also worked in education and community organizations, including Roanoke College and the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate/business entities. The firm offers portfolio management, automated investing platforms, and financial planning, using fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to guide investment decisions.

Douglas Ebner is a financial advisor with Independent Financial Partners, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 31 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Money Concepts Capital Corp., Triad Advisors, and operating the Ebner Financial Group for over a decade. Outside of advisory work, he is involved in health and dental sales and service through Ebner Financial Group and is a partner in a bitcoin mining venture, Krush Technologies. Independent Financial Partners provides investment advisory, financial planning, trust, and retirement plan services through a nationwide network of independent Investment Adviser Representatives. The firm supports a multi-advisor platform serving individual, charitable, corporate, and high-net-worth clients, with a notable focus on retirement-plan advisory and pension consulting services.