Rodas Mekonnen is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill and Bank of America, he held positions at the University of Maryland and Designer Brands Inc./Designer Shoe Warehouse. Outside of finance, he co-owned a retail business, Tutu Hat Shop, from 2021 to 2023. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Emily Crawford is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding a Series 66 designation and 14 years of industry experience. She has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously held roles at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC and Wells Fargo Bank NA, where she has been employed since 2004. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary investment advice. The firm’s approach is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, with a broader range of financial product offerings including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Brian Griffin is a Financial Consultant currently working at Fidelity, where he has held various consultant roles since 2021. His career progression at Fidelity includes positions as a Workplace Planning Consultant, Planning Consultant, Financial Consultant 1, and currently as a Financial Consultant since 2024. Brian's professional approach centers on developing financial strategies tailored to his clients' individual needs. He emphasizes meeting clients where they are, respecting their decisions and boundaries, and collaborating to design custom financial plans. His goal is to build relationships that extend beyond professional interactions, fostering a personalized and comfortable environment. Outside of his professional work, Brian enjoys activities such as biking, fitness, hiking, kayaking, music, and parenthood.

Alexander Thomas is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Columbia, MD, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 12 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors since 2015, including prior work at Axa Advisors LLC. Equitable Advisors serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations by offering financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and various asset-management programs through a network of Investment Adviser Representatives. The firm utilizes third-party asset managers and sponsored advisory programs, covering mutual funds, ETFs, separately managed accounts, and select alternative investments, while providing ERISA fiduciary services for qualified plans.

David White is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Columbia, MD, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 11 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Equitable Advisors in 2021, he worked at New York Life Insurance Company and NYLife Securities LLC from 2015 to 2021. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in property and casualty insurance sales. Equitable Advisors provides financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management services to individual, institutional, and nonprofit clients. The firm utilizes a range of advisory models and third-party asset managers, offering investment solutions across mutual funds, ETFs, separately managed accounts, and select alternative investments.

Jesus Rodriguez is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at First Command Insurance Services and the National Security Agency. Outside of finance, he owns and operates Innovative Sprocket LLC, a business selling vehicle accessory products. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charities.

Karl Porter is a Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor, and Senior Portfolio Advisor with The Pearce Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with Merrill since 1998 and previously worked with Morgan Stanley and Dean Witter. Karl holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® designation earned in conjunction with the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and the Investments & Wealth Institute™. He is also a Retirement Benefits Consultant and a member of a specialized group of Merrill Financial Advisors registered with the Firm's Defined Contribution Investment Consulting (DCIC) platform. Karl is a member of the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) and holds the CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA) designation. His areas of expertise include family wealth management strategies, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, socially responsible investing, values-based and ESG investing, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. Prior to his career in financial services, Karl gained extensive experience in the real estate industry. He attended Boston University and received his bachelor's degree from the College of the Atlantic. Additionally, he has worked as a researcher for The Smithsonian Institution. In 2023, Karl was recognized as a member of The Pearce Group on the FORBES "Top 100 Private Wealth Teams in America" list. Outside of his professional work, Karl enjoys boating, fishing, football, reading, scuba diving, spending time with his family, and traveling.

Khloe Adams is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and four years of industry experience. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2025, she worked at T. Rowe Price for three years. Adams's background includes experience outside of finance, having held roles at Under Armour and teaching positions at Stevenson University and Sparrows Point High School, as well as involvement with Tiki Lee's Dock Bar. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and the Global Investment Committee’s analyses. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and offers planning services both directly and through corporate agreements.

Aaron Kelly is a CFP® professional with 10 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with LPL Financial since 2024. He previously worked at Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation from 2015 to 2024. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm provides a range of financial planning and investment management services through a large network of advisors and utilizes various advisory platforms and tools.

Timothy Cerny is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 30 years of industry experience. His prior work includes over two decades at Guardian Life Insurance. He is also involved in selling non-variable insurance products through several providers. 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 range of advisory and brokerage services, utilizing model portfolios, third-party subadvisors, and customized strategies supported by advanced operational tools.

Shane Smith is a financial advisor at LPL Enterprise with a Series 66 designation and less than one year of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Bethesda Wealth Planning Group and Georgetown Financial Group, as well as work in construction and education. He has also been affiliated with the University of Maryland for four years. LPL Enterprise provides investment advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, and corporate entities. The firm employs a model-driven investment approach, offering financial planning, access to third-party asset managers, and participation in wrap programs.

Joshua Ernest is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with seven years of industry experience. He currently works at J.P. Morgan Securities and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., having previously held roles at GWFS Equities, Advised Assets Group, Bank of America, and Merrill. Outside of finance, he is an owner and partner at Reefer Madness, LLC, a business involved in the sales of live coral reef animals. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice and customized performance reporting through a select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with brokerage and investment management capabilities, delivering recommendations on a non-discretionary basis while clients retain final decision-making authority.

Christopher Hutson is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Baltimore, MD, with three years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and involvement with various organizations such as SemaConnect Inc and Towson University. Outside of his advisory role, Hutson is co-founder of Moments Captured LLC, an art and culture venture, and a partner at Afternoon Delight LLC, an online retail business. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a range of advisory programs serving both individual and institutional clients, utilizing structured financial planning tools and offering investment services through its extensive network of advisors.

Tasha Williams is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 20 years of industry experience. She holds the CFP®, ChFC®, and Series 66 designations. Prior to joining LPL Financial, she spent two decades at Northwestern Mutual Investment Management. 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 range of services including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Monica Brown is a ChFC® credentialed financial advisor with 34 years of industry experience. She has worked at OSAIC since 2023 and previously spent 14 years at Fsc Securities Corporation. Outside of her advisory role, she teaches group exercise classes at the YMCA of Central Maryland. OSAIC serves a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers integrated brokerage and advisory services with various investment platforms, utilizing asset-allocation tools and third-party managers to construct portfolios tailored to client needs.

Matthew Roberts is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor at Merrill with seven years of industry experience. He has worked at Bank of America and Merrill since 2008. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Holly Tilford is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Baltimore, MD, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 29 years of industry experience. She has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank since 2015 and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009, following 12 years at Citigroup Global Markets. Tilford serves on the Investment Committee of the Thomas J O’Neill Catholic Health Care Fund. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer providing advisory programs to individuals and institutions. The firm offers tailored financial planning and manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Howard Ulmer III is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 36 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Raymond James in 2019, he worked at Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC for 14 years. Outside of his advisory role, he is an active musician, performing as a guitarist and singer. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and institutions. The firm focuses on non-discretionary planning tailored to client goals, utilizing various analytical tools and supports municipal and public-finance work alongside targeted advisory programs.

Wendy Franklin Bayley is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 12 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked previously at ClearPlan Wealth Management, Raymond James Financial Services, Marks Wealth Management, and Wells Fargo Clearing Services. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a range 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 provides both direct and employer-sponsored financial planning services.

Kevin Link is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 23 years of industry experience. He has worked with Cetera and its affiliates since 2021 and previously spent seven years at VOYA Financial Advisors. He is also the president and owner of Link Financial Corp and volunteers with the St. Agnes Hospital Charitable Foundation’s finance committee. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a wide range of clients including individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional accounts. The firm offers various portfolio management and consulting services through a multi-manager platform, supporting discretionary and non-discretionary strategies across multiple program structures and custodial relationships.