Kyle Potenski is a CFP® with 10 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Mass Mutual Investors Services in Charlotte, NC. His prior experience includes roles at Bank of America, Merrill, UBS Financial Services, and Empower Advisory Group. Mass Mutual Investors Services, LLC is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm offers financial planning, asset management, and educational seminars, focusing on collaborative, goal-based planning using firm-approved analytical tools.

Stephanie Kahl is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 25 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated since 2005. Kahl serves as a board member of the Wingate University Alumni Advisory Board, where she advises on alumni engagement and participates in guest speaking and event activities. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional accounts.

Charles Wixson is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. His background includes roles at Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, as well as work with the University of Georgia and the Office of Senator John McCain. He also has experience in the hospitality sector, having worked at two different pubs. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs focused on tailored financial planning using structured discovery conversations and firm-approved tools, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Ryan Emmons is a financial advisor at Merrill with 11 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and previously worked at UBS Financial Services Inc. for 11 years before joining Merrill in 2026. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies developed by internal and third-party teams.

Jason Wilson is a financial professional with 32 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Cetera since 2023. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked previously at Ameriprise Financial Services, Morgan Stanley, and Citigroup Global Markets. Outside of his role at Cetera, he owns JT Wilson Capital Management, a financial services business. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts through a nationwide network of over 10,000 independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services, utilizing a multi-manager platform with access to affiliated and third-party managers across various program structures.

Mark Rindner is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in Charlotte. Since beginning his financial advisory career in July 2015, Mark has served clients as a Sole Practitioner and now as a Senior Financial Advisor. He focuses on managing liquidity, liability, and risk to support families, individuals, and businesses in pursuing their long-term financial goals based on their specific needs and risk tolerance. His client expertise areas include divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, personal retirement planning, socially responsible investing, tax minimization, and retirement income. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology from the State University of New York at Farmingdale, an Associate's Degree from New York City College of Technology, and a High School Diploma from The Beekman School. He has earned several professional designations, including Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Prior to his career in financial advising, Mark worked as a mechanical inspector focused on fire safety and life safety in New York City schools. Mark and his wife Stephanie live in Ballantyne with their daughter Samantha. Outside of work, he enjoys biking, billiards, boating, cooking, scuba diving, skiing, swimming, traveling, and spending time with family. He is also actively involved in community events, including school reading and math programs, reflecting his commitment to serving and supporting the communities in which he works and lives.

Anne Wilson is a financial advisor with Merrill in Charlotte, NC. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Merrill since 2026. Her prior experience includes roles in various industries such as landscaping, realty, and parks and recreation. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations with model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

Matthew Eberwein is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he collaborates with clients to develop personalized strategies aimed at achieving their financial goals. His role involves guiding clients through various financial planning needs, including retirement planning, investment management, and navigating significant life changes. Matthew began his career at Fidelity Investments in 2022 and has held multiple positions within the company, progressing from Workplace Planning Associate to his current role as Financial Consultant. This progression reflects his experience in workplace planning and client consulting within the financial services industry.

R Stikeleather is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and has been with Bank of America since 2000. He transitioned to financial services after a ten-year career in law enforcement and has accumulated over twenty-four years of experience in the financial industry. His role focuses on developing individualized financial strategies that address comprehensive financial well-being, including asset allocation, education funding, retirement savings, insurance analysis, debt management, and leveraging banking resources to simplify clients' financial lives. Stikeleather completed both his undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and previously attended the United States Air Force Academy. He holds several professional designations, including Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA), Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA), and others. His expertise emphasizes working with affluent clients to align portfolio management with their risk tolerance and financial objectives through access to Merrill's Investment Advisory Program. He resides in the greater Charlotte area with his wife, and they have three adult children and three grandchildren. Stikeleather is involved with professional organizations such as Back Creek ARP Church, Bonclarken Conference Center, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Athletic Foundation. His community involvement includes work with Forgotten Children Ministries in Honduras. Personal interests include adventure sports, golfing, scuba diving, skydiving, spending time with family, tennis, and yoga.

Jacklyn Hernandez Moran is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 11 years of industry experience. Her work history includes multiple roles at Charles Schwab and Fidelity Brokerage Services. Outside of her advisory work, she is involved as a consultant promoting clean wellness products through Arbonne. Charles Schwab serves a large client base primarily composed of high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and affiliated managed-account and financial planning services. The firm combines non-discretionary advisory relationships with access to discretionary separately managed accounts, offering multi-asset model portfolios and alternative investment options.

Matthew Armendaris is a financial advisor at Edelman Financial Engines with six years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at West Financial Services, Inc., Ameritas Investment Corp, Incisive Financial Group, and Business Benefits Group. Edelman Financial Engines provides technology-enabled investment advisory and financial planning services to individual investors, retirement-plan participants, and institutional clients. The firm combines a committee-driven proprietary modeling process with planner delivery and online tools, offering diversified model portfolios, discretionary and non-discretionary management, and operates as a fiduciary under ERISA and DOL guidelines.

Julie Stout is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with six years of industry experience. She is currently with LPL Financial and has previously worked at FTB Advisors and Park Sterling Bank. Stout also serves as a senior vice president at First Horizon Bank. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a broad range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Violeta Emmanuel is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 22 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Merrill for 16 years and The Vanguard Group for seven years. She is also the owner of Innerarity Enterprise, an LLC. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that provides written recommendation reports and ongoing retirement-income planning advice focused on dependable income and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Drue Garrison is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with 25 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Mass Mutual Investors Services in Charlotte, NC. He has been with Mass Mutual Investors Services and MassMutual Life Insurance Company since 2001. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in individual life insurance sales. Mass Mutual Investors Services is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm offers financial planning, asset management, and educational seminars, with planning engagements structured as collaborative annual relationships.

Kelly Hughes is a financial advisor with RBC Capital Markets in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 14 years of industry experience. He has worked at RBC Capital Markets since 2017 and was previously with Voya Financial Advisors from 2014 to 2016. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, serves a diverse client base including individual and institutional investors, offering advisory programs that provide portfolio management, financial planning, custody, and brokerage services. The firm customizes investment strategies based on clients’ risk profiles and utilizes both in-house and third-party managers to implement portfolios.

Ryan Byrns is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he has been involved in entrepreneurial activities, including operating Club West Brewing, LLC. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, with a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that offers written recommendation reports and ongoing retirement-income planning advice focused on dependable income and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Christopher Hess is a CFP® professional at LPL Financial with 32 years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2025, he spent 26 years at Ryan Hess Morais Financial Advisors, Inc. He has also worked with Ic Advisory Services Inc and The Investment Center Inc. Hess engages in insurance sales, including life, long-term care, disability, and health insurance. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management services, utilizing both proprietary and third-party strategies, supported by technology tools for advisors.

Michael Claiborne is a CFP® with four years of industry experience, currently serving at Raymond James & Associates. Prior to this role, he worked at Equitable and spent several years with the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Raymond James & Associates is a large broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, and municipal entities, offering financial planning and consulting with a non-discretionary approach supported by extensive research and multiple portfolio management styles.

David Prewette is a financial advisor with Cetera in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 35 years of industry experience. He has worked at several firms, including Center Street Advisors and Arete Wealth Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, he owns a real estate company he uses for family property and occasional referral fees, and is involved in providing brokerage and advisory services through his own DBA. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a multi-manager platform enabling advisors to implement a variety of model portfolios, bespoke strategies, and program options across discretionary and non-discretionary accounts, managing over $256 billion in assets through a nationwide network of more than 10,000 advisors.

Jiaihdi Turner is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and having 16 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Wells Fargo Clearing in 2013, Turner worked at Edward Jones from 2008 to 2009. Outside of advising, Turner works part-time as a package handler for FedEx. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm that offers investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and provides both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.