Mark Brackett is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Chapel Hill, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 46 years of industry experience. His career includes tenures at Bank of America, N.A. and Merrill before joining Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC in 2020. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a variety of advisory programs and tailored financial planning services supported by structured discovery and firm-approved tools. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and provides advisory services that often incorporate scenario modeling and planning but leave implementation and updates to clients.

Michael Ray is an Investment Consultant at Fidelity Investments. He serves as an advisor and foundational point of contact for clients seeking to build trusted relationships. Michael prioritizes understanding clients' goals to develop tailored financial plans and investment strategies aimed at pursuing their lifelong objectives. He has held multiple roles at Fidelity Investments, including Workplace Planning Associate in 2024, Workplace Planning Consultant I from 2024 to 2025, and Workplace Planning Consultant II from 2025 to 2026. This progression reflects his growing expertise in workplace planning and investment consultation. Outside of his professional work, Michael has interests in fitness, food, football, golf, lake activities, and traveling.

Douglas Richmond is a financial advisor at Osaic with Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 51 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Osaic in 2025, he spent 27 years at Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation. He is also licensed to offer various insurance products, including accident and health insurance, disability insurance, life settlements, premium financing, and traditional life insurance. Osaic Wealth, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations through a large network of affiliated advisers. The firm provides integrated brokerage and advisory services, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to multiple investment platforms and third-party money managers.

Sheri Lofton is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Merrill, based in Raleigh, NC, and has 18 years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill since 2008 and concurrently at Bank of America, N.A. since 2011. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program to Bank of America fiduciary clients. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Robert Alger is a CFP® with 26 years of experience in financial advising. He is associated with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. and has operated his own firm, Alger Financial, since 2012. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse clientele including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm emphasizes tailored, non-discretionary planning and consulting using risk profiling and analytical tools, and supports both wrap-fee advisory programs and institutional portfolio management.

Susan Ledford is a financial advisor at Merrill with 37 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and has been with Merrill since 1989, also working at Bank of America since 2011. 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 clients, and institutional investors.

Robert Bodmer is a Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Portfolio Manager with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designations, recognizing his expertise in investment management and retirement benefits consulting. Robert brings over two decades of experience, having joined Merrill Lynch in June 2000, and specializes in managing portfolios through personalized and defined strategies that incorporate individual securities, Merrill model portfolios, and third-party investments. As a Senior Portfolio Manager, he has the flexibility to manage client assets on a discretionary basis and collaborates with other Merrill Advisors to extend his strategies to a broader client base. Robert has professional experience in both profit and non-profit sectors and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Tampa. His practice focuses on working with affluent families, corporate executives, and business owners to address financial goals such as retirement planning, family wealth management, college education funding, and portfolio management services. He integrates financial strategies including tax-efficient investments, discretionary money management, and risk management in coordination with specialists at Bank of America and Merrill. In addition to his professional role, Robert participates in community outreach initiatives with Bank of America. He enjoys outdoor activities such as biking, boating, camping, and fishing. His approach emphasizes developing personalized financial strategies to pursue clients' long-term objectives through one-on-one collaboration.

Christine Singer is a financial advisor at Fidelity with eight years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials. Her prior work includes roles at Fidelity Brokerage Services, Cambridge Proofreading, and the State of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to a diverse client base, including retail and institutional investors. The firm combines fundamental research with quantitative analysis and algorithmic portfolio construction, offering discretionary and non-discretionary management along with fund advisory services.

Kevin Cecil is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 24 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2007 and holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in fixed insurance and annuities sales and maintains direct agent contracts with several insurance companies. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a wide range of advisory programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, supported by research and technology, including discretionary and non-discretionary management and diverse investment strategies.

Heather Green is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Chapel Hill, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and having 10 years of industry experience. Her prior firms include Stifel Nicolaus & Co Inc and SunTrust Advisory Services. She is also commissioned as a North Carolina Notary Public. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and investment advisory offerings, including financial planning and portfolio management. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services and utilizes proprietary research and model-based asset allocations to tailor client solutions.

Meghan Porter serves as a Resident Director at Merrill, where she focuses on wealth management for high-net-worth individuals, their families, and businesses. Her role involves delivering investment insights, banking convenience, and lending solutions through Bank of America, while leveraging a global network of specialists to support clients in navigating today's changing financial markets. Meghan emphasizes a goals-based wealth management platform to develop and personalize financial strategies that align with clients' life priorities and aspirations. With a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Trust and Wealth Management from Campbell University, Meghan is a CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). She assists clients with estate planning, investments, wealth transfer, retirement income, and services related to defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Her expertise extends to institutional investment consulting, legacy planning, employee benefits, portfolio management, and strategies tailored for women and wealth. Beyond her professional commitments, Meghan is active in the community as a board member for the North Carolina Educational Scholarship Fund and a member of the Junior League of the Palm Beaches. She resides in Cary with her husband and enjoys music, family time, and traveling.

Todd Gaertner is Vice President and Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2021. He has been with Fidelity since 2007, progressing through multiple positions including Financial Consultant, Investment Consultant, Financial Representative, and Retirement Investment Services. His career in financial services dates back to 1993, with experience in stock brokering and trading at various firms such as First Hanover Securities, M S Farrell, M H Meyerson, Schwab Capital Markets, and Cummins Financial. Throughout his career, Todd has worked extensively in financial consulting, investment consulting, and retirement investment services, leveraging a comprehensive background in trading and market making. He collaborates with clients to develop personalized financial plans aimed at aligning with their needs and long-term goals while enhancing clarity and confidence in their financial decisions.

Antoinette Russell is a financial advisor at Fidelity with a Series 66 credential and one year of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at Lenovo, Greene Resources, Abrigo, ArchiveSocial, and Best Buy. Outside of advising, she operates an e-commerce business with Amway Vitality Essentials and participates as an Amazon Associate. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, utilizing a combination of proprietary fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to develop model portfolios from mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.

Matthew Desocio is a financial advisor at Fidelity with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Fidelity since 2021, with prior employment including roles at East Carolina University and Jaguar Land Rover of Raleigh. Fidelity's Strategic Advisers LLC, where Desocio is affiliated, provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including registered investment companies. The firm uses a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage discretionary and non-discretionary portfolios.

Joseph Vicars is a financial advisor with Merrill in Chapel Hill, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 45 years of industry experience. He has worked at Bank of America, N.A. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. since 2011. 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.

Stephen Reed is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Chapel Hill, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 25 years of industry experience. He has been with UBS since 2015. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through a range of brokerage and investment advisory offerings, combining institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services and utilizing proprietary research and model-based asset allocations to tailor client plans.

Adam Simpson is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with five years of industry experience. He has been with Thrivent since 2021. Prior to his financial advisory role, he worked at Riverwood Elementary from 2014 to 2021. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, focusing on comprehensive goal-based analyses and written recommendations across various financial planning topics. The firm offers these planning services separately from its managed-account program, with an emphasis on periodic reviews and client engagement.

Brian Reynolds is a CFP® with 26 years of industry experience, currently with OSAIC since 2025 after 25 years at Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. He serves on the board of the Be The Rainbow Foundation, a nonprofit supporting pediatric cancer families. Reynolds is based in Morrisville, NC. OSAIC serves a wide range of clients, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering integrated brokerage, advisory, financial planning, and retirement consulting services through a large network of advisers and multiple platforms.

Wendy Palladino is a CFP® professional with 29 years of industry experience, currently serving at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. She previously worked at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2009 to 2016. Outside of her advisory role, she owns and manages a rental property via Airbnb in Pinehurst, NC. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary solutions. The firm’s advisory process is driven by investment policy statements and modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related products and bank deposit sweep options among its investment offerings.

Michael Austin is a financial advisor at RBC Capital Markets with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at UBS Financial Services, Northwestern Mutual, and Senior Financial Services. Outside of finance, he has experience with Students and Trucks Inc. and has been affiliated with Hampden-Sydney College and T.C. Williams High School. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, serves a diverse client base including individual investors, institutions, and nonprofits. The firm offers various advisory programs that provide portfolio management, financial planning, and brokerage services tailored to clients’ risk profiles and investment preferences.