Rita Bliven is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Kannapolis, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 15 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2020, she worked at First Citizens Investor Services and First Citizens Bank. She is also involved in self-publishing. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment strategies supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Brent Tompkins is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding a Series 66 designation and accumulating five years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Digital Intelligence Systems LLC and Wells Fargo Clearing Services, with earlier positions at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Campus Recreation. 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 uses research and analytics to support diversified investment approaches and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions.

Todd Davis is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and having 11 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at PNC Investments, Kalos Management, and Edward Jones. 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 financial planning, wrap and model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supporting a broad range of investment strategies through a large network of investment adviser representatives.

James Poteet is a CFP® professional with 19 years of industry experience, currently serving at Vanguard Advisers since 2025. He has been associated with The Vanguard Group and its marketing division since 2014. He holds a fiduciary trustee role for a family investment trust. Vanguard Advisers offers a combination of automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven investment approach using proprietary models and constructs portfolios primarily from Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Allison Zelli is a financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 13 years of industry experience. She has been with Raymond James & Associates since 2007, including roles at related Raymond James entities since 2022. Raymond James & Associates is a large broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a broad client base including individuals, institutions, and municipal entities, offering financial planning and non-discretionary investment consulting supported by extensive research and diverse portfolio management strategies.

Nicholas Baker is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with six years of industry experience. He holds Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and has worked within various Vanguard entities since 2020. His prior work experience includes roles at OneMain Financial, Winthrop University, Lowe's, and East Coast Pyrotechnics. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice through digital and personal advisor services, serving retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm’s investment approach is goal-based and algorithm-driven, using proprietary models to personalize asset allocations and offering portfolios constructed mainly from Vanguard funds and ETFs with various tax-aware and customization features.

Benjamin Fauzio is a financial advisor at OSAIC in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations with seven years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Equitable Distributors, LLC, and Jackson National Life Distributors LLC. Before entering the financial industry, he spent ten years working in education. OSAIC serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, charities, and corporations through a multi-advisor platform offering a range of brokerage and advisory services. The firm’s investment process centers on model-based asset allocation and portfolio optimization, supported by tools such as risk-tolerance questionnaires and efficient frontier analysis.

Erica Hamilton is a CFP® with 21 years of industry experience, currently serving at Vanguard Advisers since 2012. She has been affiliated with The Vanguard Group and its related entities since 2004. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans, utilizing a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with personalized asset allocations primarily using Vanguard funds and ETFs.

William Harvey III is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers, based in Charlotte, NC, and has 29 years of industry experience. He has been with The Vanguard Group since 1995 and previously worked at Myers Park Country Club for five years. Harvey also serves as a trustee for family member trusts. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven investment approach with portfolios constructed primarily from Vanguard funds and ETFs, offering a combination of digital delivery and advisor support.

Derek Coffren is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and Cambridge Investment Research since 2017, with earlier experience at Ameritas Investment Corp. and Capital Choice Financial Services. Outside of his advisory role, he is also an independent insurance agent for various companies. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a diverse client base including individual investors, pension plans, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, investment management, retirement-plan advisory, and wrap-fee programs across multiple platforms. The firm manages a multi-billion dollar asset base and supports both discretionary and non-discretionary management through proprietary and third-party strategies.

Jan Wething is a financial advisor with Merrill in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill since 2002. 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 strategies developed by internal Chief Investment Office teams and third-party managers, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Janice Lowrance is a Series 66-credentialed financial advisor with Edward Jones in Mooresville, NC, where she has worked since 2007. She has 19 years of industry experience. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management and a nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

William Crane is a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments. He joined the firm in 2024 and has held positions including Financial Representative and Relationship Manager before his current role. He focuses on providing clients with financial clarity and supports them in achieving long-term success through personalized planning. His approach integrates analytical analysis and empathetic client engagement to navigate complex financial situations. William emphasizes understanding each client's unique circumstances to align strategies with their priorities. Outside of his professional responsibilities, William enjoys activities such as golfing, tennis, table tennis, traveling, and exploring culinary experiences.

Madison Auton is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with one year of industry experience. They hold a Series 63 designation and have previous work experience at DYSIS and MBO Partners. 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 utilizes research and analytics to inform recommendations and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions through a large network of advisors.

Charles Kincaid is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Edward Jones, based in Harrisburg, NC, and has three years of experience in the industry. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2023, he spent 14 years with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a wide range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Artez Powell Jr. is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 credential and one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at ReBalance and various fitness and insurance-related businesses. He serves in the U.S. Army Reserve, a role he has held since 2013. 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 individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Simeon Hill is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Edward Jones and Park Avenue Securities. He is the owner of The SJH Group LLC, a holding company created for future real estate ventures. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans, utilizing a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach centered on personalized asset allocations and portfolios constructed mainly from Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Christopher Carr is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 27 years of industry experience, currently with Vanguard Advisers. His prior roles include positions at Citizens Securities, Inc. and TIAA-CREF. He is based in Charlotte, NC. Vanguard Advisers provides both automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm utilizes a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with personalized asset allocations primarily constructed from Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Rafael Diaz is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 12 years of industry experience. He has worked at The Vanguard Group, Inc. since 2014. Outside of his primary role, he serves as an authorized agent on family members' investment accounts. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and eligible participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach using proprietary models to create personalized asset allocations, primarily utilizing Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Elizabeth Battaglia is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 11 years of industry experience. She has been with Vanguard Advisers, Vanguard Marketing Corporation, and The Vanguard Group since 2018, following a prior role at Retirement Direct. 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 to asset allocation, utilizing Vanguard funds and ETFs, and serves a large client base with a combined digital and team servicing model.