Grace Kellerman is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Vanguard, she worked at Stride Spin & Fitness in a non-investment role. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice primarily to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans, utilizing a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with portfolios largely composed of Vanguard funds and ETFs. The firm is notable for its scale and digital delivery, managing a large number of client relationships with a team servicing model.

Michael Blanchard is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and possessing 27 years of industry experience. He has worked at Cetera Investment Advisors LLC and Cetera Advisors LLC since 2024 and previously spent nine years at Prospera Financial Services. Outside of his advisory role, he owns and manages a rental property business. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with a range of portfolio management and financial planning services, supported by a nationwide network of over 10,000 advisors and managing more than $256 billion in assets.

Marcus Johnson is a financial advisor with Merrill in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 14 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at LPL Financial, SpreeSocial LLC, and TIAA-CREF. He is also the owner of Top Choice Group LLC, a for-profit holding company. 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 model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth families, and institutional investors.

Zackery Hawkins is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding the CFP® designation and Series 63 and 65 licenses. He has 10 years of industry experience and has been with The Vanguard Group, Inc. since 2015. Vanguard Advisers provides both automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach using proprietary methodologies to construct portfolios primarily from Vanguard funds and ETFs, offering a variety of customization and tax-aware features.

William Swink is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and eight years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Bank since 2019, following roles at Ameriprise Financial Services, Service 1st Mortgage, and other firms. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm offering 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, utilizing research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources to support portfolio construction.

Sean Ryan is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC since 2021 and previously worked at Wells Fargo from 2017 to 2021, as well as Lowe's from 2015 to 2017. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, with investment options that include insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep programs.

Sean Olert is a financial advisor at Merrill in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 21 years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill since 2009. 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.

Mike Madrid is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license with eight years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2017 and previously served in the United States Military from 2013 to 2017 and briefly worked at Newell Brands in 2017. Based in Charlotte, NC, Madrid provides financial advisory services through Edward Jones. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management, serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated investment products, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Jack Schulte is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with five years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. His career includes roles at various Vanguard entities since 2021, as well as previous positions outside the financial industry. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm utilizes a goal-based, algorithm-driven investment approach with portfolios primarily composed of Vanguard funds and ETFs, delivering services at scale through a combination of digital platforms and a large advisory team.

James Clardy is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 28 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 66 credentials and previously worked at Bank of America, NA for eight years before joining Wells Fargo in 2018. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a trustee for a family trust and is a member of the Membership Committee for the Construction Financial Management Association in Charlotte, NC. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and incorporates modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options among its investment offerings.

Rebeca Lacayo is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 65 and Series 63 credentials and three years of industry experience. She has been with Wells Fargo-related entities since 2012 and owns several small businesses, including a door installation company and an online retail shop, and she produces DIY videos on YouTube. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients by providing investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, supported by extensive research and analytics.

Donald Irwin is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors based in Charlotte, NC. He holds the Series 66 designation and has 22 years of industry experience, including sixteen years with Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a committee member for mental health services at Sanctuary Counseling Group and is involved in his local religious organization, St. Francis United Methodist Church. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and trusts. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services through a network of independent professionals, providing a range of portfolio management solutions and model-based strategies tailored to client objectives.

Christopher Zehetmaier is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Gladstone Wealth Partners, LPL Financial, and GWN Securities Inc. Equitable Advisors serves a diverse client base, including individual, high-net-worth, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients, providing financial planning, broker-dealer services, insurance distribution, and access to third-party asset management programs. The firm operates as a dual-registered SEC investment adviser and broker-dealer and utilizes various LPL-sponsored programs and third-party managers to deliver advisory and brokerage solutions.

Melissa Saleeby is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 27 years of industry experience. She has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2015. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service focused on individuals approaching or in retirement who meet certain asset thresholds, providing written Recommendation Reports that cover income sources, Social Security options, and tax-efficient withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax analysis through a centralized consulting team to deliver tailored, non-discretionary advice.

Samuel Pennell Jr. is a Wealth Management Advisor and co-founder of the 282 Group of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Charlotte, North Carolina. In his role, he partners with individuals, families, and institutions to develop strategies focused on helping clients pursue their long-term financial goals. He applies a comprehensive advisory approach that includes investment planning, risk management, and retirement readiness. Sam works with clients across the investment spectrum, providing guidance on portfolio construction, retirement income planning, liquidity solutions, and financial goal setting tailored to individual objectives. He holds the designations of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Sam earned his Bachelor's Degree from NC State University. Outside of his professional work, Sam spends time with his wife, Ashleigh, and their two children. They support the NC State Wolfpack, enjoy hiking, visit South Carolina's beaches, and he pursues his interest in music by attending live shows and record stores. He is also actively involved in the greater Charlotte community through his church and volunteer activities.

Christopher Hart is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. His background includes service in the United States Navy and entrepreneurial involvement with Verde Mexican Nuevo Latin Fusion in Charlotte, NC. He also has experience working at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. 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 both brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.

Aminata Toure is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC. She holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Vanguard, she was involved in various self-employed roles and worked for Legion Cleaning Inc. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice serving retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm’s investment approach is goal-based and algorithm-driven, utilizing proprietary models to set personalized asset allocations primarily through Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Michael Mordenti is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial with 32 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked with various Raymond James entities since 2009. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. offers financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to individual and institutional clients. The firm provides tailored, non-discretionary planning and employs analytical tools to support client goals, with specialized services including municipal and public finance advisory and employer SIMPLE IRA consulting.

Matthew Collins is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Edward Jones in Charlotte, NC, with five years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Ameriprise, SECU Brokerage Services, SECU Life Insurance Company, State Employees' Credit Union, and Wells Fargo. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds. The firm operates under a fiduciary standard and is notable for its extensive retail advisor and branch network, as well as its affiliated trust and securities-based lending services.

Justin Plante is a financial advisor at Fisher Investments with 19 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Hennion & Walsh, Inc. and Nuveen Securities LLC. Based in Charlotte, NC, he has been with Fisher Investments since 2026. Fisher Investments serves a global mix of institutional and private clients, offering discretionary portfolio management across equity, fixed-income, and blended mandates. The firm utilizes a centralized Investment Policy Committee and employs tax-aware strategies and risk management techniques, serving a diverse client base that includes pension plans, foundations, and high-net-worth individuals.