Audrey Averill is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services and holds a Series 66 designation. She has two years of industry experience and has been associated with Mass Mutual Investors Services since 2009. Audrey also has a long tenure with The Pelora Group beginning in 2008. MassMutual Investors Services, LLC is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm offers financial planning, asset management, and educational services using firm-approved analytical tools and emphasizes collaborative, ongoing client relationships.

Barbara Smith is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and 12 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2013. Outside of her advisory role, she works as a consultant and independent contractor selling Scentsy products. 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, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Brent Little is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management based in Raleigh, NC. He holds the Series 66 designation and has five years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, Brent worked with 323 Sports for six years. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of financial advisors. The firm offers holistic, goal-based planning across various financial topics and combines planning with managed-account programs through a consolidated billing option called “WealthPlan.”

Nicholas Vourakis is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab in Cary, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 37 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at TD Ameritrade Investment Management and TD Ameritrade, Inc. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved as a marketing executive with Melaleuca, Inc., a consumer packaged goods manufacturer. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves a large client base primarily composed of high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and affiliated managed-account and financial planning services, combining brokerage, custody, and advisory in an integrated model.

Paul Birkenstock is a financial advisor at Fidelity with a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Marketing Ventures of America and The Turas Group, as well as several years in educational and camp settings prior to joining Fidelity. Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company, offers investment management and advisory services to both retail and institutional clients, including registered investment companies. The firm employs a combination of proprietary fundamental research and quantitative analysis to construct model portfolios from a broad universe of mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs, and it serves a range of clients through discretionary and non-discretionary advisory services.

Benjamin Swaney is a CFP® and CFA® charterholder with 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Advisors since 2020, following four years at Wells Fargo Clearing. Swaney has a significant ownership interest in Mifflin Capital S Corp and serves as a trustee for multiple Mifflin Capital Inc. 401(k) plans. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network provides investment and fee-based financial planning services to individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad planning menu and delivers tailored recommendations using proprietary research and tools, with planning engagements that are generally discrete rather than ongoing.

Andrew Love is a financial advisor at Fidelity with a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. He previously worked at Onemain Financial for nine years before joining Fidelity. Andrew is part of Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company that provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including registered investment companies and an IRS‑qualified Charitable Gift Fund. The firm employs a combination of proprietary fundamental research and quantitative analysis to construct model portfolios using systematic methodologies and long-term asset allocation benchmarks.

Mary Skinner is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with four years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has worked previously at First Horizon and PNC Bank. LPL Financial is a national broker‑dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and portfolio management options, supported by extensive research tools and a broad platform of associated financial services.

John Holder is a financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates who holds a Series 66 designation and has 15 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, NetApp Inc., Principal Financial Services, and Osaic FA, Inc. He serves as treasurer of the Brooks Avenue Church of Christ and is a board member of Wake Monarch Academy, both nonprofit organizations in Raleigh, NC. Raymond James & Associates is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, and municipalities, offering financial planning, non-discretionary investment consulting, and institutional fiduciary solutions.

Alexander Starnes is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and holds the designations of Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Wofford College. His practice emphasizes creating personalized wealth management strategies that align with clients' unique goals and situations. Starnes focuses on areas such as college education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, retirement planning, small business strategies, special needs planning, women and wealth, sports and entertainment, tax minimization, and retirement income. A significant aspect of his work involves assisting special needs families with the transfer of assets to special needs trusts to help beneficiaries qualify for or maintain government benefits. Born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, Starnes participates in multiple community organizations including the Autism Society of North Carolina, Autism Speaks Raleigh/Charlotte, Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte, North Raleigh United Methodist Church, Special Blessings, Special Olympics NC, The Arc of Charlotte Mecklenburg County, and Trusted Parents. He also has interests in outdoor activities, sports, and music, and he rappels annually off the Wells Fargo building in downtown Raleigh to support the Special Olympics.

Joshua Soucy is a financial advisor at Fidelity with 18 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been with various Fidelity entities since 2008, including Fidelity Personal and Workplace Advisors and Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC. He is based in Raleigh, NC. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including registered investment companies and charitable funds. The firm employs a systematic investment process that combines fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction, with a focus on model portfolios and oversight of sub-advisers.

Christian Hill is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Fidelity Brokerage Services and Fidelity Investments. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of services including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supported by a network of over 22,800 advisors.

Stephen Fordham V is a CFA® charterholder and holds a Series 63 license with 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2011. Outside of advisory work, he is involved in managing rental properties through a property management company. 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 solutions supported by a large national network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Katherine Wall is a CFP® practitioner with Edward Jones in Garner, North Carolina, where she has worked since 2018 and has eight years of industry experience. Before joining Edward Jones, she spent five years with Johnston County Public Schools. Outside of her advisory work, she writes a personal blog focused on her experience with grief and travel. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving both individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs and affiliated investment options. The firm manages over $1 trillion in assets and operates a nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Larsen Wharton is an Investment Solutions Representative III at Fidelity Investments, a role held since 2026. Larsen has been with Fidelity since 2021, progressing through various positions including Investment Solutions Representative II and I, High Net Worth Service Associate, and Customer Relationship Advocate. This progression reflects extensive experience in client-facing roles within the investment solutions domain. In this capacity, Larsen collaborates with clients to understand their financial goals and develop strategies to support informed decision-making. Larsen leverages both personal experience and Fidelity's resources to assist clients in navigating their financial journeys. Outside of work, Larsen's interests include beach activities, family engagements, outdoor adventures, parenthood, and skiing.

Michael Irvin is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. Before joining Edward Jones in 2026, he worked at several firms including Equitable Advisors, Compass Insurance Advisors, and Philadelphia American Life Insurance Company. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with Staff-1 Services Group, providing support staff and guest services for events. 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 and investment strategies, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Phillip Harris is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Cary, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 25 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliate Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. since 2005. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service targeting individuals with at least $1,000,000 in net investable assets, providing written recommendation reports that address income sources, Social Security options, and tax-efficient withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax analysis to deliver tailored retirement-income advice through a centralized consulting team.

Andrew Mc Ilvain is a financial advisor at Cetera with nine years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Prior to joining Cetera in 2024, he worked at ADP LLC and ADP Broker-Dealer Inc. He is also a senior retirement services consultant at Financial Directions, LLC, providing consultative services on qualified retirement plan design and employee education. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser serving a broad client base including individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and consulting services through a nationwide network of independent advisors, utilizing a multi-manager platform with various program options and custodial relationships.

Dylan Howard is a financial advisor at Fidelity with four years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. His work history includes roles at Fidelity Investments and United Textile Distribution, as well as a six-year period at Frank Howard's Backhoe Service prior to entering the financial industry. Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company, offers investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management. The firm utilizes a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to deliver model portfolios and oversees affiliated sub-advisers with an emphasis on governance and compliance.

Samuel Bogaczyk is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with eight years of industry experience. He is currently with LPL Financial and has held prior roles at Coastal Federal Credit Union, CUSO Financial Services, Merrill, Bank of America, and Yadkin Bank. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a board member for the nonprofit Overflowing Hands, Inc. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management solutions, including model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.