Michael Zotto is a financial advisor with Zone Investment Management, LLC in New Bern, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 27 years of industry experience. Prior to founding his current firm in 2021, he worked at Jarred Bunch Consulting, LLC, INVST, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC. Zone Investment Management is an independent registered investment adviser serving individual and high-net-worth clients with ongoing portfolio management. The firm employs a variety of analytical methods and offers investment solutions including insurance products, equities, and exchange-traded funds, managing accounts on both discretionary and non-discretionary bases.

Paul Scavuzzo is the sole advisor at PJ Scavuzzo, Inc., an independent firm based in New Bern, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 44 years of industry experience. He has led PJ Scavuzzo, Inc. since 2009. PJ Scavuzzo, Inc. provides discretionary portfolio management and investment advice to a range of clients including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm employs a broad and active investment strategy that includes fundamental and technical analysis, options transactions, margin trading, and short sales, tailoring portfolios to each client’s investment objectives and risk tolerance.

Deborah Tayloe is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with 21 years of industry experience. She is the principal of Tayloe Financial Services, LLC, an independent firm she has led since 2007. Prior to founding her firm, she worked at Linsco/Private Ledger Corp. In addition to financial advising, she provides income tax preparation services for individuals and couples through her firm. Tayloe Financial Services serves individual clients with discretionary portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning—including Social Security retirement reviews—and basic tax return preparation. The firm employs a fundamental analysis investment approach focused on long-term holdings, broad diversification, and client education.

David Blain is a CFA® charterholder and holds a Series 65 license, with 22 years of experience in the financial advisory industry. He has been with BlueSky Wealth Advisors, LLC (formerly D.L. BLAIN & CO., LLC) since 1999. Outside of his advisory work, he owns Swift Creek Plantation LLC, a real estate holding and development company in New Bern, NC. BlueSky Wealth Advisors primarily serves individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals, as well as trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm manages approximately $850 million in discretionary client assets and focuses on strategic asset allocation with an emphasis on low-cost, tax-efficient investments, complemented by selective use of active managers.

Christie Bonacci is a financial advisor at BlueSky Wealth Advisors, LLC with six years of industry experience. She holds the PFS™ and Series 65 credentials. Prior to joining BlueSky in 2019, Christie worked at Deloitte & Touche, LLC and Marc Jessup Insurance Services. She is also an adjunct professor at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, where she teaches audit and assurance. BlueSky Wealth Advisors provides comprehensive financial planning and discretionary investment management primarily to individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals, as well as trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm manages approximately $850 million in discretionary client assets and employs a strategic asset allocation approach with a focus on low-cost, tax-efficient investments.

John Staton is a CFP® with two years of experience in financial advising, currently with BlueSky Wealth Advisors, LLC. Prior to joining BlueSky, he worked at Equitable Advisors and held various roles including a 12-year tenure with the United States Navy, Naval Special Warfare. BlueSky Wealth Advisors serves individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as institutional and trust entities, providing comprehensive financial planning, discretionary investment management, and select tax preparation services. The firm manages over $1 billion in client assets, emphasizing strategic asset allocation with a focus on low-cost, tax-aware, primarily passive strategies supplemented by selected active managers.

Tara Hughes is a financial advisor at Bluesky Wealth Advisors, LLC with 10 years of industry experience. She holds the PFS™ designation and Series 65 license. Prior to joining Bluesky Wealth Advisors in 2022, she worked at The Epiphany School of Global Studies and Altrius Capital Management. Bluesky Wealth Advisors serves individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals, as well as trusts, estates, and business entities, managing approximately $850 million in discretionary client assets. The firm emphasizes strategic asset allocation with a focus on low-cost, tax-efficient investments and offers comprehensive financial planning alongside discretionary investment management.

John Nelson is a financial advisor with Bluesky Wealth Advisors, LLC in New Bern, NC. He holds a Series 65 credential and has one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Bluesky, he was affiliated with the firm since 2025 and attended East Carolina University from 2022 to 2026. Bluesky Wealth Advisors serves individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as institutional and trust entities, offering comprehensive financial planning, discretionary investment management, and select tax preparation services. The firm manages over $1 billion in discretionary assets, employing a strategy that emphasizes strategic asset allocation with a focus on low-cost, tax-aware, primarily passive investments supplemented by active managers and model portfolios.

Ayasha Jones is a financial advisor at Bluesky Wealth Advisors, LLC in New Bern, NC, holding a Series 65 designation with seven years of industry experience. She has been with Bluesky Wealth Advisors since 2015. Bluesky Wealth Advisors provides advisory services primarily to individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals, as well as trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm manages approximately $850 million in discretionary client assets and offers comprehensive financial planning, discretionary investment management, and select tax preparation services.

Lowell Taylor is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in New Bern, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and four years of industry experience. He has worked at several related firms, including Members Trust Company and SECU Life Insurance Company. Taylor also serves as a Financial Services Officer at State Employees' Credit Union and an agent with SECU Life Insurance Company. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves individual investors who are residents of North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, asset allocation advice, and retirement planning. The firm emphasizes a long-term, goals-based approach using low-cost mutual funds and ETFs within a credit-union ecosystem.

Hillary Cross is a financial advisor with Cooper McManus in New Bern, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. She has worked at Cambridge Investment Research, Cooper Financial Group, and Securities America Inc. Outside of her advisory role, she owns CROSS FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS, a business involved in insurance, benefits, and human resources. Cooper McManus serves individuals, trusts, corporations, and employer retirement plans with financial planning, discretionary portfolio management, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm follows a fundamentally driven investment approach using a wide range of instruments and model portfolios tailored to client objectives.

Daniel Murphy is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network based in New Bern, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has 29 years of industry experience. Murphy has been with Commonwealth since 2009 and has managed Murphy Matza Wealth Management since 2013. He also serves as an elected Town Commissioner for Trent Woods, NC. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their retail and institutional clients. The firm provides advisory programs, wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and back-office support, with a range of discretionary model portfolios and customizable investment solutions.

Adam Persky is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (New York Life) in New Bern, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and possessing 22 years of industry experience. He has worked with Eagle Strategies since 2014 and operates Legacy Private Client Services LLC. Outside of his advisory role, Persky is a contracted commercial pilot involved in sightseeing, aerial photography, and forestry services fire patrol, and serves on several nonprofit boards, including the Eastern Carolina Aviation Heritage Foundation and the New Bern Military Alliance. Eagle Strategies serves a broad range of individual and institutional clients by providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm emphasizes customized recommendations and predominantly manages assets on a non-discretionary basis within an integrated New York Life affiliate structure.

Shannon Hudson is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with six years of industry experience. She holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has worked previously at BB&T and Bbtsec. Hudson is based in New Bern, NC. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm offers asset allocation analysis, fiduciary support, and manager-selection programs, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary approaches supported by third-party platform arrangements.

Elevia Hearne is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 17 years of industry experience. She has worked at Commonwealth Financial Network since 2011 and at Murphy Matza Wealth Management from 2013 to present. Hearne also engages in fixed insurance sales on a limited basis. Commonwealth Financial Network serves a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their clients, offering a variety of advisory programs and services. The firm provides back-office support, technology, investment management, and compliance services to affiliated advisors who deliver customized portfolio solutions under Commonwealth’s supervision.

Victoria Wilson is a financial advisor at Centaurus Financial, Inc. with 28 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has previously worked at Generation Financial LLC and Geneos Wealth Management, Inc. for 15 years each. Centaurus Financial, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individuals, families, small businesses, corporations, trusts, and foundations. The firm’s investment approach combines fundamental and technical analysis, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management along with specialized retirement-plan consulting and advisory management of annuity and variable life sub-accounts.

Taylor Whitford is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with 19 years of industry experience. He has worked at Truist Advisory Services since 2021, following prior roles at Bb&T Securities, LLC and BB&T Investment Services, Inc. Outside of advising, Whitford is a co-owner of a boat slip rental business in Beaufort, North Carolina. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm offers asset allocation and investment policy analysis, fiduciary support, participant advice, and a manager-selection program that uses a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary consulting supported by third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools.

Susan Arnett is a CFP® professional with eight years of experience in the financial services industry. She is currently with Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC and has previously worked at firms including Choreo, LLC and RSM US Wealth Management LLC. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC is an SEC-registered enterprise advisory firm serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm employs a strategic investment process combining passive and active managers, supported by quantitative and fundamental research, and offers a range of financial planning, asset management, and specialized retirement consulting services.

Michelle Neuhalfen is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. She holds a Series 66 designation and has six years of industry experience. Michelle has been with Bankers Life Securities since 2019 and Bankers Life & Casualty since 2016, where she also serves as a Unit Sales Manager recruiting and training insurance agents. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. primarily serves mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals, offering discretionary portfolio management, investment consulting, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to create tailored asset allocations and portfolio management strategies.

Kalan McEuen is a financial advisor at Hornor, Townsend & Kent, LLC with a Series 65 credential and five years of industry experience. His background includes 20 years of service in the United States Navy followed by roles at MetLife and operating his own firm, McEuen Legacy Planning. Hornor, Townsend & Kent serves individuals, trusts, businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, providing advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm combines SEC-registered advisory services with broker-dealer capabilities, managing over $8 billion in discretionary assets as of 2025.