Samuel Curtis is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and four years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at UBS Financial Services, Ally Invest, and Amazon. MML Investors Services, LLC operates as a subsidiary of MassMutual, providing financial planning and asset management services to individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm offers annual, collaborative financial planning engagements using firm-approved analytical tools and presents event-driven planning options such as divorce and estate settlement services.

Michelle Britt is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 32 years of industry experience. She has worked at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009 and has been with Citigroup Global Markets since 2006. Outside of her advisory role, she is a member of the James M Hurst Family LLC. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients with a broad range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning and estate planning strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs structured planning tools and modeling techniques as part of its financial planning process.

Alfred Darakjian is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Mass Mutual Investors Services, MassMutual Life Insurance Company, Duke University Health System, and Credit Suisse Securities LLC. He is also president of Alfred Darakjian Consulting, Inc., which provides tax and accounting services. Equitable Advisors serves individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, retirement-plan support, and access to asset management through LPL programs and third-party asset managers. The firm employs a hybrid referral and implementation model that combines advisory and brokerage/insurance channels tailored to client goals and risk tolerance.

Richard Mills is a financial advisor with Fidelity Investments based in Durham, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has three years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at First Citizens Investor Services, RGA Investments, and FedEx. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to a diverse client base including retail and institutional investors. The firm employs a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage portfolios and serves as an advisor to multiple registered investment companies and fund-of-funds.

Virginia Whitley is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. She has been with Morgan Stanley since 2009 and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2018. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer offering a wide array of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients. The firm’s financial planning includes tailored services using approved planning tools and modeling techniques, serving approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Russell Hadley is a CFP® professional with 34 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with Osaic and has prior experience at Lincoln Financial Securities Corp and Woodbury Financial Services Inc. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in selling fixed life insurance and annuities and owns Alpha Omega Wealth Partners. Osaic Wealth, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations through a large network of affiliated advisers. The firm offers brokerage and advisory services, financial planning, managed accounts, and access to third-party money managers, employing asset-allocation tools and automated rebalancing to construct portfolios across various asset classes.

Andrea Paton is a financial advisor with Fidelity Investments in Durham, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and having two years of industry experience. Her previous roles include positions at the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services and various private companies. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC offers investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, utilizing a blend of proprietary fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage discretionary and non-discretionary accounts, fund advisory, and model portfolios.

Scott Carnes is a financial advisor at Fidelity with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at various Fidelity entities since 2018, including Fidelity Brokerage Services and Fidelity Investments. Prior to that, he was employed at Workplace Options for two years. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC, where Scott provides services, offers investment management and advisory solutions to retail and institutional clients, including charitable funds and registered investment companies. The firm employs a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction, and is notable for its use of systematic methodologies, AI tools, and its advisory role with multiple registered investment companies and model portfolio delivery to intermediary platforms.

Christian Fitzhugh is a CFP® professional with 14 years of industry experience. He is currently with Fidelity Investments and has worked at Morgan Stanley, Commonwealth Financial Network, and Pathfinder Wealth Consulting. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including an IRS-qualified Charitable Gift Fund and registered investment companies. The firm employs a systematic investment process that combines proprietary research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction across mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.

Imani Thompson is a financial advisor at Fidelity with Series 63 and Series 66 designations and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Fidelity, she held various roles including positions at North Carolina Central University and Integral Resources Inc. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, utilizing a process that combines proprietary fundamental research with quantitative analysis and algorithmic portfolio construction to deliver model portfolios and discretionary management.

Chris Foster is Vice President, Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2018. He has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, having served as a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments from 2012 to 2018, a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney from 2008 to 2012, and a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones Investments from 2005 to 2008. Throughout his career, Chris has focused on working closely with clients and their families to develop and implement personalized financial plans aimed at achieving their goals. Chris's approach is centered on collaboration and trust, recognizing the effort clients have invested in saving and growing their assets. His professional experience spans multiple reputable firms, reflecting a sustained commitment to the financial advisory profession. Outside of his professional work, Chris enjoys boating, fishing, golf, reading, and traveling.

Patrick O'Neill is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he worked at Johnny's Pizza and Marco's Pizza, and has experience in education at the University of the South and Green Hope High School. He also has a background in the food service industry. Mass Mutual Investors Services is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser offering financial planning and asset management services to individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm uses firm-approved software to analyze client goals and deliver written recommendations as part of annual, collaborative financial planning engagements.

William Schumacher is a Planning Consultant with Fidelity Investments in Cary, NC, where he assists individuals in making confident financial decisions. He has a particular focus on 401(k)-specific retirement planning and has experience guiding clients on retirement savings, investment strategies, and long-term financial readiness. Since joining Fidelity Investments in 2024, William has progressed through several roles including Workplace Planning Associate, Workplace Planning Consultant I and II, before attaining his current position. His career has been dedicated to helping clients plan for their financial futures within the workplace retirement landscape. Outside of his professional work, William enjoys engaging in outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, golfing, kayaking, and exploring various food experiences.

Tyler Faggart is a CFP® professional with 11 years of industry experience, currently serving at Edward Jones since 2017. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he worked at Pruco Securities LLC for three years. Outside of his advisory role, he has participated in competitive bass fishing tournaments. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory strategies, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee programs, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Geoffrey Raynor is a CFP® with 28 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Raleigh, NC. His prior experience includes roles at Edward Jones and Ohio National Equities, Inc. He also serves on the advisory board for the Kennan Flagler Business School Alumni Chapter. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offers a wide range of advisory programs to both individual and institutional clients, employing structured financial planning tools and advisory strategies that integrate global investment insights.

Darryl Banks is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Raleigh, NC, holding CFP® and Series 66 designations and having 10 years of industry experience. He has worked at Edward Jones since 2016. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of investment advisory programs and affiliated financial products. The firm is notable for its extensive advisor and branch network and its integrated capabilities, including trust services and securities-based lending.

Travis Johanson is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and having 22 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Principal Life Insurance Company, Principal Securities Incorporated, and Waddell & Reed, Inc. Thrivent Investment Management offers Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of Financial Advisors. The firm provides holistic, goal-based financial planning covering a broad range of topics and offers clients the option to combine planning with managed-account services under a consolidated billing program called “WealthPlan.”

Robert Sander is a financial advisor at Fidelity with Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and three years of industry experience. He has worked at Fidelity Investments since 2022 and previously spent seven years at Poling & Cutler Marine Transportation. Outside of finance, he owns and maintains a pet grooming business in Raleigh, North Carolina. Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company, provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including an IRS-qualified Charitable Gift Fund and registered investment companies. The firm combines proprietary fundamental research with quantitative analysis and algorithmic portfolio construction to develop model portfolios from mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.

Stephanie Sheipline is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Raleigh, NC, with eight years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Edward Jones, Fidelity Investments, and Showmen Supplies. Since 2022, she has been with Morgan Stanley, including a role at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients with a broad range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured financial planning process supported by firm-approved tools and modeling techniques.

Louis Popielarcheck Jr. is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2012 and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in agricultural business development and manages rental properties alongside his wife. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individual and institutional clients with a variety of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning supported by structured discovery and firm-approved tools. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and offers both direct and corporate financial planning services.