Stephen Murray is a financial advisor at Equitable Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with two years of industry experience. Before joining Equitable Advisors, he worked at Oakbridge Financial Group and has a background that includes roles in education and community services in the Raleigh area. Equitable Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management programs through a network of Investment Adviser Representatives, utilizing a range of firm-offered and third-party advisory solutions.

Samuel Harris is a financial advisor at Fidelity with a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. Prior to joining Fidelity, he worked at Drakes and SpotOn, among other roles. Outside of financial advising, he is a partner in an online clothing store and a hobby game shop in Durham, North Carolina. Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company, provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients using a process that combines fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction. The firm is notable for its management of registered investment companies, use of AI in research, and delivery of model portfolios for Fidelity Institutional Wealth Adviser.

William Whichard III is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors in Raleigh, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has one year of industry experience, including prior roles at Transamerica and four years at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a large broker-dealer and registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of financial planning services, including specialized areas such as business-owner transition and special-needs analysis, using proprietary research and planning tools.

Holly Ashby is a financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates in Durham, NC, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 credentials and having 27 years of industry experience. She has worked with Raymond James & Associates since 2013 and was previously involved with CrossFit Durham. 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, pension plans, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning and investment consulting through various advisory programs and institutional solutions.

Ryan Bachmann is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, part of the Bank of America and Merrill family since 2018. He provides a comprehensive approach to financial management, focusing on bringing clarity and transparency to each client meeting through a personalized process. Ryan works with high net worth and ultra high net worth individuals and families to simplify complex financial matters and develop strategies tailored to their goals and long-term visions. His expertise includes areas such as college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, small business strategies, tax minimization, and retirement income. Ryan holds professional designations including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and he earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Pennsylvania State University. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Ryan is involved as a Bank of America Community Volunteer. His personal interests include chess, golfing, music, painting, and woodworking.

Eliot Barton is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Morrisville, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with 15 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2012. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, including a wide range of households, pension plans, corporate clients, and charities. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies, access to separately managed accounts and affiliated mutual funds, and operates under a fiduciary standard.

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.