Carl Bender is a CFP® professional with four years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers in Plano, TX. He has held roles within various organizations, including Vanguard Marketing Corporation and The Vanguard Group, Inc., since 2022, and previously worked at AI Data Innovations and Heb. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice primarily to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach using proprietary models to deliver personalized asset allocations, constructing portfolios mainly from Vanguard funds and ETFs with options for tax-aware strategies and customization.

Shruti Mehta is an Investment Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where she has been working since 2025. She has a professional background spanning 17 years in the financial services industry, specializing in personalized financial planning to help clients pursue financial freedom and peace of mind. Shruti's experience includes roles such as Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments from 2021 to 2025, AVP-Relationship Manager at BBVA USA from 2015 to 2020, Tax Advisor at H&R Block in the United States from 2014 to 2015, and various positions in the Indian financial sector including Senior Manager-Premier Banking at Kotak Mahindra Bank, Manager at IDBI Bank, Financial Consultant at Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company, and Sales Consultant at ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company. Outside of her professional career, Shruti is interested in fitness, singing, and yoga.

Benjamin Reyes is a financial advisor at Merrill with eight years of industry experience. He holds the Series 65 and Series 63 designations and has worked previously at BBVA Securities Inc., BBVA Wealth Solutions Inc., BBVA USA, BBVA Insurance Agency, Inc., Wells Fargo Clearing, and Wells Fargo Bank, NA. Reyes is also the sole owner of an unrelated business entity. 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 serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

TJ Gawalis is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2025. He has been with Fidelity Investments since 2019, progressing through various positions including Financial Consultant I, Investment Consultant, PAS Portfolio Specialist, PAS Client Management Representative, Workplace Planning Consultant, and Workplace Planning Associate. This progression reflects his growing experience and expertise in financial consulting and investment management. In his current role, TJ works with clients to develop financial plans aimed at building, preserving, and distributing wealth. His objective is to help clients feel more comfortable and confident as they work towards their financial goals. Outside of his professional responsibilities, TJ has interests in fitness, hiking, music, outdoor adventures, reading, and volunteering.

Natasha Verbsky is a Series 66 credentialed financial advisor at Cetera with 27 years of industry experience. She has worked with Cetera and its affiliates since 2017 and has previously been associated with Girard Securities, Inc. Since 2022, she has owned Anthology Designs LLC, a product sales business. Additionally, Verbsky serves as treasurer for both the Independence High School Choir and Theatre Booster Clubs and is a member of the investment committee for the Collin College Foundation. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients nationwide. The firm offers a multi-manager platform combining discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management with access to third-party money managers and model portfolios.

Jack Parker Jr. is a financial advisor at RBC Capital Markets with 30 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Merrill Lynch, Bank of America, and City National Bank. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, serves a diverse client base including individual investors, institutional clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers tailored portfolio management and financial planning solutions through various advisory programs, utilizing both in-house and third-party investment managers.

Robert Vigus is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in McKinney, TX, holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise since 2020 and also teaches college history as an adjunct professor at Collin College. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service targeted at individuals nearing or in retirement with substantial investable assets, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver tailored, non-discretionary recommendations primarily for clients with Ameriprise-managed accounts.

Scott Henry is Vice President and Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he has been serving clients since 1996. In his current role, he works with Fidelity High Net Worth Clients and their families to develop, implement, and maintain financial plans tailored to navigating various market conditions. He engages clients through a personal one-to-one Private Client relationship model. Over nearly three decades at Fidelity Investments, Scott has held multiple positions, progressing from Fidelity Brokerage Representative to Vice President and Financial Consultant. His areas of expertise include financial planning and client relationship management for high net worth individuals. Outside of his professional work, Scott has interests in baseball, fitness, social events with friends, golf, music, and tennis.

Leonor Torrens is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with five years of industry experience, currently with J.P. Morgan Securities in Plano, TX. Her prior experience includes roles at Merrill, Wells Fargo Clearing, and JPMorgan Chase Bank. Outside of her advisory work, she is an owner and partner of Venture Vault MarketPlace LLC, a company engaged in commerce and merchandising. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients through a select group of Wealth Advisors, focusing on non-discretionary written asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting.

Scott Schober is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Plano, TX, holding a Series 66 designation and 24 years of industry experience. His career includes positions at UBS Financial Services and Merrill before joining Morgan Stanley and its Private Bank in 2016. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients by providing a range of advisory programs and tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and uses structured planning tools and Global Investment Committee insights to support client financial plans.

Kayla Sylvester is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with two years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has worked with Vanguard entities since 2023. Prior to joining Vanguard, she held positions at Randstad and Wealth Advisors Group. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice through services such as Vanguard Digital Advisor and Vanguard Personal Advisor, primarily serving retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven investment approach and manages portfolios largely composed of Vanguard funds and ETFs, supported by a large team of advisors delivering scalable digital solutions.

Mcree Smith is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Plano, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 37 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009 and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer offering a range of advisory programs to individuals and institutions. The firm emphasizes tailored financial planning supported by structured discovery and modeling tools, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Jeffrey Lloyd is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with 14 years of industry experience. He holds the CFP® designation along with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Prior to joining Vanguard in 2022, he worked at Fidelity Investments for seven years. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice primarily to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach, utilizing proprietary models to set personalized asset allocations mainly using Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Francesco Escobal Brandon is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with two years of industry experience. He is currently with J.P. Morgan Securities and previously worked at Bank of America/Merrill Lynch and Keller Williams Realty Phoenix. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients through a non-discretionary program that emphasizes written asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm’s advisory process combines quantitative and qualitative research and includes ESG considerations within a broad range of investment strategies.

David Oneill is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with 39 years of industry experience, currently practicing at Cetera in Frisco, TX. He has worked with Cetera since 2021 and has also maintained business activities as a real estate agent and registered mortgage loan originator in Texas. Additionally, he owns and operates O'Neill Financial Group, providing financial and tax services. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of over 10,000 advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services, utilizing a multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary program options and access to third-party money managers.

Alberto Salas is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Plano, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and eight years of industry experience. He has worked at J.P. Morgan Securities since 2018, with a brief tenure at Capital One Advisors and Capital One Investing. Outside of his advisory role, he is an independent insurance agent with Salas Insurance Agency, selling home, auto, and commercial insurance on a part-time basis. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients through a non-discretionary program focused on written asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm’s advisory process combines quantitative and qualitative research with a forward-looking approach and includes broader derivatives and commodities capabilities.

Lydia Guo is a financial advisor with RBC Capital Markets in Frisco, TX, holding a Series 66 designation and beginning her industry career in 2024. Prior to joining RBC, she was involved with FOH Furniture LLC for three years. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, serves a wide range of clients including individual investors, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers various advisory programs that provide portfolio management, financial planning, and brokerage services tailored to clients’ risk profiles using a combination of in-house and third-party investment resources.

Robert Ernst is a financial advisor at Merrill with 30 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Merrill since 2009. Ernst is also associated with Bank of America, N.A., where he has been employed since 2002. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

David Leek is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with four years of industry experience. He is currently affiliated with Vanguard Advisers and has prior experience at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Bank of America, and the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm's Bureau of Diplomatic Security. Vanguard Advisers offers automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with portfolios mainly composed of Vanguard funds and ETFs, emphasizing customization and tax-aware strategies.

William Allen Jr. is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Plano, TX, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and five years of industry experience. His prior roles include work with TIAA and multiple positions within The Vanguard Group. Outside of finance, he has operated a transportation business contracting with Uber. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and eligible retirement plan participants, employing a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach primarily using Vanguard funds and ETFs. The firm manages a large client base through its digital platform and team servicing model.