Santiago Carranza is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Kingwood, TX, holding the ChFC® designation along with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has 38 years of industry experience and has been with Edward Jones since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, Carranza serves as Chair of the Humble ISD Education Foundation, where he leads board meetings and participates in fundraising efforts. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, and operates under a fiduciary standard.

Nicole Ponthieux is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Kingwood, TX, holding Series 66 and Series 63 designations and 14 years of industry experience. She has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank since 2014. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients through a non-discretionary program focused on asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm’s advisory process integrates centralized due diligence with systematic quantitative and qualitative research, incorporating ESG criteria and leveraging broader derivatives and commodities capabilities.

Yasmin Lara is a financial advisor at UBS Financial Services in Houston, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with five years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, LPL Financial, Zions Bancorporation/Amega Bank, and Aon. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and investment advisory offerings, utilizing proprietary research and model-based asset allocations to tailor financial plans. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services, providing a wide range of capital markets and advisory solutions.

Scott Dukes is a financial professional with nine years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Cetera. He holds a Series 66 credential and has worked in various roles including positions at Minnesota Life Insurance Co., Securian Financial Services, and North Star Resource Group. Dukes also volunteers with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm that serves a broad range of clients including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable entities, and institutional accounts. The firm offers diverse portfolio management and financial planning services through a nationwide network of independent advisors, utilizing a multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary program options.

Ramiro Dominguez is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Houston, TX, holding a Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Bank of America, Merrill, PHP Agency, and Aflac. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients, focusing on written asset allocation advice, investment manager and fund searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm’s advisory process combines quantitative screening and qualitative research to build model asset allocations, with recommendations limited to eligible strategies and incorporating ESG criteria where applicable.

Shahram Babamazid is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 14 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012. Prior to that, he was involved with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and had a role at Xtreme Motors. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients, focusing on non-discretionary asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm’s advisory process combines quantitative and qualitative research to build model asset allocations and incorporates a broad range of regulatory registrations and derivatives capabilities.

Selene Argao is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Charles Schwab in Houston, TX, and has 23 years of industry experience. She has worked at Charles Schwab Bank and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. since 2010. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily 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 offers both non-discretionary and discretionary investment options, supported by multi-asset model portfolios and a formal alternative-investment process.

Leticia Grant Jones is a financial advisor with Fidelity in Houston, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 22 years of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at Bank of America and Merrill from 2014 to 2021. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, utilizing a combination of proprietary research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction. The firm manages model portfolios and serves as an advisor to registered investment companies and fund-of-funds.

Gavin Carter is a Senior Financial Advisor and member of VMT Wealth Management, a nationally recognized financial advisory team headquartered in downtown Houston. He provides financial advice to entrepreneurs, retirees, executives, and their family members, drawing on his experience to address diverse client needs. As a member of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Gavin leverages its resources to develop comprehensive wealth planning strategies that include investment management, philanthropy, and wealth transfer. Gavin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Houston. He holds professional designations as a CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). His focus areas include college education planning, family wealth management strategies, services for endowments and non-profits, LGBT wealth planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, special needs planning strategies, and retirement income. Gavin has been recognized nationally, most recently appearing on the Forbes "Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors Best-in-State" 2025 list. He is a native Houstonian and remains a loyal University of Houston Cougar. Gavin is involved in community activities, including the Boy Scouts of America as an Eagle Scout and contributions to Project C.U.R.E. He serves on the University of Houston Economics Alumni Association Board. In his free time, Gavin enjoys outdoor activities such as running local Houston trails and hunting along the Texas coast. He and his wife, Pilar, also enjoy travelling, cooking, and exploring new restaurants.

James Taylor is a financial advisor with LPL Financial based in Houston, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 23 years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he worked at Wells Fargo Bank from 2013 to 2017 and has been affiliated with Zions/Amegy Bank since 2017. His other activities include serving as a relationship manager for wealth and fiduciary services at ZB, N.A. during securities trading hours. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a wide range of advisory services and investment platforms, utilizing model portfolios, third-party subadvisors, and customized strategies supported by operational tools.

Harry Perrin is a financial advisor at LPL Enterprise with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Apple Inc. for nine years. Outside of his advisory role, Perrin is active as an artist and musician. LPL Enterprise provides investment advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, and corporate and charitable entities. The firm employs a model-driven investment approach and offers access to third-party asset managers, financial planning, and various affiliated non-securities services.

Angeles Molina is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Houston, TX. She holds a Series 66 designation and has prior experience at The Antioch Partners and Memorial Tax Advisors. Her background also includes roles in education and insurance. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits through a network of financial advisors. The firm offers goal-based planning on a broad range of topics without discretionary portfolio management and allows clients to combine planning with managed accounts under a consolidated billing option.

Mario Walker is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with six years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Regions Bank, BBVA Compass, New York Life Insurance Company, and Family Heritage. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers a broad range of brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.

Michael Fuller Jr. is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab in Houston, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 19 years of industry experience. He has been with Charles Schwab and Charles Schwab Bank Ssb since 2014. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily 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 a non-discretionary client relationship model with access to discretionary separately managed accounts and offers multi-asset model portfolios supported by centralized supervisory and custody arrangements.

Melissa Hughes is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and nine years of industry experience. She has worked at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and J.P. Morgan Securities since 2017, and previously spent 13 years with Allstate Sapp Insurance. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients through a program focused on written asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm’s advisory approach is supported by centralized due diligence combining quantitative and qualitative research, with recommendations incorporating an ESG eligibility framework.

Gregory Eknoyan is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Houston, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He has been with UBS since 2006. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients, offering brokerage and investment advisory services including financial planning, portfolio management, and distribution of mutual funds and alternative products. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management and uses proprietary research and model-based asset allocations to tailor client strategies.

Cristin Bera is a Private Wealth Advisor with Merrill Private Wealth Management and a co-founder of Bera Dewhurst & Associates, established in 2002. He began his financial services career at Morgan Stanley in 2001. In his current role, Cristin advises ultra-high-net-worth clients on complex wealth management matters and leads his team in due diligence and selection of external long-only investment managers. He also designs customized investment strategies aligned with client objectives, risk tolerance, and liquidity requirements. As a qualified Portfolio Manager within Merrill's Investment Advisory Program, Cristin is authorized to develop and implement discretionary investment strategies using individual equities, fixed income securities, Merrill model portfolios, and third-party investment approaches. He leads his team's insurance advisory efforts by integrating risk management solutions into broader wealth plans. Prior to his financial career, Cristin worked as an engineer and served in the military, including roles in the US Army Reserve as a Military Police officer and in the US Air Force Reserve Office of Special Investigation. Cristin holds an MBA with concentrations in Finance and Economics from the University of Chicago and earned dual bachelor's degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Humanities & History from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has been involved in his community through over a decade of service as a Director and President of Neartown Little League. He lives with his wife and their three sons.

Allen Johnson is a Series 66-registered financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with three years of industry experience. He has worked within various divisions of JPMorgan Chase since 2022 and previously spent six years at Milwaukee Tool Company. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients through a non-discretionary program focused on asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting.

Cain Cunningham is a financial advisor with Ameriprise, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 1995. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in business ownership through Ronin Services LLC and provides consulting services related to automobile purchases. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service targeted at individuals approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets, delivering customized recommendation reports that incorporate research-driven modeling and tax-efficient strategies. As a large institutional firm, Ameriprise provides a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through its affiliated entities.

Adan Montoya is an International Wealth Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in guiding clients through complex financial landscapes, focusing on areas such as college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, international wealth management, legacy planning, LGBT wealth planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, small business strategies, and women and wealth. Adan brings extensive expertise to his role, supporting entrepreneurs, multinational families, and individuals with tailored wealth management plans. His approach emphasizes comprehensive financial planning to empower clients in achieving their life goals. He holds several professional certifications, including the Certified Exit Planning Advisor® (CEPA) designation from the Exit Planning Institute, the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA), and Retirement Management Advisor® (RMA) designations from the Investments & Wealth Institute™. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Adan engages in personal interests such as cooking, hiking, reading, traveling, writing, and yoga. He is involved in community activities, including service on the Southeast Alumni Council of his alma mater, Lafayette College.