Eric Cohen is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his career in 2012 and joined The Liberatore Group as a Financial Advisor in 2015. In his role, Eric focuses on practice management, cash flow planning, and portfolio construction to support clients' financial objectives. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Eric is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certificant, awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., and also holds designations including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Eric has been named to the Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list for consecutive years from 2022 through 2026. He has served on the board of Urban Ministries of Wake County. Outside of his professional work, Eric enjoys travelling, watching sports, and spending time with his family and friends.

James Wyland is a CFP® professional with 20 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Edward Jones since 2006. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in specialty running shoe retail businesses in Holly Springs, NC, as a part owner and marketing manager. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth households and charitable organizations. The firm manages over $1 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a large nationwide network of advisors and branch offices.

William Miller is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and over seven years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at First Bank, Evolve Bank & Trust, Prime Mortgage Lending, and Bank of Clarke County. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions, supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branches.

Mark Avitabile is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Durham, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 15 years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and was previously with Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2010 to 2016. Avitabile holds an inactive law license from the State of Indiana. 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 advisory services. The firm’s process is IPS-driven and incorporates a range of financial products, including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Jeffrey Lane is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in assisting high net worth clients in managing their comprehensive financial affairs. With over 31 years at Merrill, he utilizes the firm's investment tools, resources, and networks to simplify wealth management planning, focusing on retirement and estate planning, tax minimization, portfolio management, and philanthropic planning among other areas. Jeff began his career with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1990 after graduating from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor's degree in Corporate Finance. He has earned several professional designations, including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Jeff emphasizes forming meaningful client relationships to prepare for both expected and unexpected life events through tailored financial strategies and consistent reviews. Beyond his professional work, Jeff has served on the Board of Directors at Wake Enterprises, supporting independence for people with disabilities, and has received a leadership award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He is also involved with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Jeff and his wife, Illyse, live in Raleigh with their two sons and a rescue dog. He enjoys golfing, ice hockey, music, running, and spending time with his family.

Amanda Penrose is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and having three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Equitable Advisors, she worked at Oakbridge Financial Group and Dillon Burdette. In addition to her advisory work, she owns and operates Amanda Michele Photography. Equitable Advisors serves individual clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations by providing financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management programs. The firm employs a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and relies on both proprietary and third-party investment solutions, including discretionary portfolio management and alternative investments.

Brandon Mendoza is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He collaborates with individuals and families to organize their financial lives, define meaningful goals, and build personalized strategies for the future. His approach involves thoughtful planning, clear communication, and a commitment to helping clients make informed financial decisions. Brandon's expertise includes general investing, retirement planning, and saving for unexpected events. He emphasizes understanding clients' priorities to develop strategies that align with their financial goals. He holds professional designations such as Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Brandon earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Outside of his professional work, he has interests in basketball, boxing, fishing, football, music, painting, running, spending time with his family, traveling, and watching movies.

Newman Townsend III is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 37 years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2026, he worked at OSAIC for three years and FSC Securities Corporation for 14 years. He is also involved in wealth management through his practice, Steward Wealth Strategies. 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 portfolio management solutions, utilizing both proprietary and third-party research, and supports over 22,800 advisors with extensive operational resources.

David White is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 33 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Lincoln Financial Securities Corp for 17 years. He is also a partner at The Capital Planning Group LLC, where he offers disability insurance, fixed annuities, long-term care insurance, premium financing, and traditional life insurance products. OSAIC serves a diverse client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm provides integrated brokerage and advisory services, utilizing asset-allocation tools, risk-tolerance assessments, and a variety of investment options for discretionary or non-discretionary account management.

Andrew Lange is a financial advisor at Fidelity with Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and two years of industry experience. He has worked at Fidelity Investments since 2023 and previously held roles at Northwestern Mutual and several other organizations. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, utilizing a blend of proprietary fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to deliver model portfolios and fund advisory services.

James Gillespie III is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 28 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at SunTrust Advisory Services and Suntrust Investment Services, Inc. He also serves as a trustee for a family trust. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary services grounded in modern portfolio theory and tailored to plan objectives and risk tolerances.

Ryan Jacobs is a financial advisor at Fidelity with a Series 66 designation and less than one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Fidelity, he held positions at Equitable Advisors and worked outside the financial sector, including as a bartender at La Terrazza in Raleigh, NC. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, utilizing a blend of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage portfolios across mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.

Stephen Hedrick is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Apex, NC, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 66 license with seven years of industry experience. He joined Edward Jones in 2019 after six years at Davis Chevrolet Buick GMC. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard and maintaining a large network of advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Kyle Jackson is a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2025. In this capacity, he collaborates with clients to develop financial plans aimed at helping them achieve their financial goals, and he creates engagement strategies tailored to each client's unique planning needs. Prior to this, Kyle held several positions within Fidelity Investments, including Investment Solutions Representative 2 and 1, as well as Customer Relationship Advocate, gaining experience across various facets of client service and investment solutions from 2023 to 2025. Outside of his professional work, Kyle is interested in baseball, beach activities, football, social events with friends, and movies.

Haley Egbert is a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where she collaborates with clients and advisors to develop personalized and holistic financial plans. She focuses on building client relationships founded on trust, honesty, integrity, and reliability, aiming to empower clients in achieving their financial goals. Prior to her current role, Haley worked as a Financial Services Representative at Fidelity Investments. She holds insurance licenses in Arkansas and California, supporting her work in financial planning and advisory services. Outside of her professional work, Haley has personal interests including boating, food, football, gardening, lake activities, and swimming.

Gordon Richardson Jr. serves as a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. With a career in the financial services industry beginning in 1983, he brings a comprehensive perspective to wealth planning and financial advice. Prior to his current role, Gordon worked as a senior tax manager at a major global accounting firm and has extensive experience in the brokerage industry. He holds several professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Gordon earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama System. He has been recognized on the Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list consecutively from 2019 through 2026 and is a member of the Richardson Team, which has been named to the Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” list multiple years.

David Stuckey is a financial advisor with Osaic, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 41 years of industry experience. He has been with Osaic since 1997 and has also worked at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company since 1984. Outside of his primary advisory role, he assists clients with life insurance, disability insurance, fixed annuities, and long-term care insurance through a sole proprietorship. Osaic Wealth, Inc. serves a diverse range of retail and institutional clients through a large network of affiliated advisers, offering brokerage, investment advisory, financial planning, and retirement consulting services. The firm uses various portfolio construction tools and supports both discretionary and non-discretionary account management, integrating multiple platforms and third-party service providers.

John Lyle is a financial advisor at Fidelity with nine years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations. His prior roles include positions at Valic Financial Advisors and experience in retail at Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store. Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company, provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients. The firm utilizes a combination of proprietary fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage discretionary and non-discretionary portfolios, including model portfolios delivered to intermediary platforms.

Emily Johnson is a financial advisor at Robert W. Baird & Co. in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 10 years of industry experience. She has been with Robert W. Baird & Co. since 2015. Outside of her advisory role, she is a member of Wellington Westwood LLC. Emily works within The DDK Group at Robert W. Baird & Co., which serves individuals, families, pensions, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutional clients. The group offers tailored financial planning, portfolio management, and brokerage services using a combination of in-house and third-party managers, including both traditional and non-traditional investment strategies.

Michael Best serves as a Resident Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since joining Merrill Lynch in 2000, he collaborates with clients to establish quantifiable financial goals and prioritize their needs. He develops customized strategies utilizing a wide range of financial instruments to assist clients in pursuing long-term objectives. His client focus includes college education planning, family wealth management, retirement planning, portfolio management, socially responsible and ESG investing, tax minimization, and retirement income strategies. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree from East Carolina University, an M.B.A. from Fayetteville State University, and an associate degree from Wayne Community College. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). A lifelong resident of eastern North Carolina, Michael is active in charitable organizations and community service. He is a past president of the Lafayette Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow, and volunteers with Liberty Point Rotary Club service projects. In his personal time, he enjoys boating, fishing, camping, cooking, football, gardening, writing, and spending time with his three children.