Lisa Johnson is a financial advisor at Respire Wealth Management, LLC with 18 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked previously at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. and Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. In addition to her advisory role, she is CEO and tax planner at On The Mark Financial Services, Inc. Respire Wealth Management provides fee-only financial planning and investment advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and small businesses. The firm emphasizes tailored portfolios based on written investment policy statements and offers retirement plan advisory services including limited-scope ERISA 3(21) fiduciary support.

Erika Jensen is a financial advisor at Respire Wealth Management, LLC with 15 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated for seven years before joining Respire in 2017. Respire Wealth Management serves individual and high-net-worth clients, small businesses, and qualified retirement plans with fee-only financial planning and investment management. The firm offers customized investment programs through a wrap-fee platform, combining fundamental, technical, and quantitative analysis, and provides ERISA 3(21) plan advisory services alongside ongoing client education and financial wellness sessions.

Heinz Brisske is a financial advisor at KRM Financial Planning & Wealth Management, LLC with 18 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 credential and has previously worked at Arete Wealth Management, LLC and Robert B. Ausdal & Co., Inc. Brisske is also a full-time partner at Huck & Brisske, LLC, a law firm, and has an additional interest in photography through Brisske Business, Ltd. KRM Financial Planning & Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving high-net-worth individuals, trusts, foundations, endowments, pension and profit-sharing plans, and businesses. The firm offers asset management, comprehensive financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing firm models and third-party money managers with an emphasis on fiduciary retirement plan services and client education.

Gary Lutes Jr. is a CFA® charterholder with 14 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Tillman Hartley LLC since 2004. He holds a Series 65 license and works out of Candler, NC. Tillman Hartley LLC provides personalized financial planning and discretionary investment management to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm’s investment process is based on Modern Portfolio Theory and includes individualized Investment Policy Statements, model portfolios, and ongoing portfolio monitoring.

Janet Galloway is a CFP® professional with 11 years of industry experience, currently serving at Integrated Advisors Network LLC. Her prior roles include positions at Merrill and SA Stone Investment Advisors. Outside of her advisory work, she is a part-time instructor for Kaplan and is involved in nonprofit leadership as president of Kiawania and group leader for Second Saturday, a 501(c)(3) organization assisting individuals through divorce. Integrated Advisors Network is a multi-team SEC-registered investment adviser that serves a variety of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and corporate entities. The firm employs a diverse investment approach that combines fundamental and quantitative analysis, with a focus on customized portfolio management through third-party sub-advisers and managed account solutions.

Kerry Keihn is a CFP® with eight years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Abacus Wealth Partners since 2025. Prior to this, Kerry worked at Prime Capital Investment Advisors, LLC and Earth Equity Advisors, LLC. Abacus Wealth Partners provides financial planning, consulting, and investment management services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, families, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm employs an asset-class investing approach grounded in academic research, utilizing no-load mutual funds, ETFs, and passive institutional funds, while incorporating ESG screening and private pooled investments for qualified clients.

Wendolyn Forbes is a CFP® professional with 17 years of experience in the financial services industry. She is currently with Advisory Services Network and has previously worked at Bank of America, Merrill, and Wells Fargo. Outside of her advisory role, she is an author of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, and serves on multiple nonprofit boards including Working Wheels, Haywood Chamber of Commerce, Haywood Vocational Opportunities, Haywood Community College Foundation, and Lake Logan Retreat Center. She also leads indoor cycling classes. Advisory Services Network serves individuals, families, corporations, charitable organizations, and employer retirement plans through a network of independent Investment Adviser Representatives. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and investment consulting using a variety of strategies across asset classes, managing approximately $8.6 billion in client assets.

Jack Bishop III is a CFP® with 12 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network and the owner of Bishop Financial Group, LLC. He previously spent ten years at Edward Jones. Outside of his advisory work, he is co-owner of Bishop Endeavors, LLC, an entity connected to his financial services business. Commonwealth Financial Network is a dual-registered broker/dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,900 advisors and managing over $210 billion in client assets. The firm offers a comprehensive adviser-support platform with various managed account programs, third-party asset manager access, and custodial services.

Lonnie Kerbs is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. based in Asheville, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 19 years of industry experience. He has worked with Bankers Life Advisory Services since 2018 and has been associated with related entities in the Bankers Life group since 2000. Outside of advisory services, he also sells non-variable insurance products as an insurance agent. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals through discretionary portfolio management and non-discretionary consulting. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to tailor asset allocations and portfolio management aligned with clients’ goals and risk tolerances.

Sebastien Gruaz is a CFP® and Series 66 licensed advisor with Valic Financial Advisors and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Valic Financial Advisors in 2023, he worked at United Surgical Partners International and held positions at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Houston Methodist. He is also appointed as an agent to sell non-securities insurance products for AGIA. Valic Financial Advisors serves primarily U.S. individuals, including high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients, as well as employer-sponsored retirement participants. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services through a large network of advisors, utilizing discretionary unified managed accounts and a range of model-based investment solutions.

Kathryn Beach is a CFP®-certified financial advisor at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. in Asheville, NC, with five years of industry experience. She previously worked at Raymond James Financial Services Advisors and On Track WNC before joining Mercer Global Advisors. Mercer Global Advisors provides investment advisory and related planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth families, small business owners, and nonprofit organizations. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory-based investment approach, emphasizing globally diversified, risk-appropriate portfolios with multi-factor tilts and tax management, and offers a range of implementation options and affiliated service lines.

Cameron Bennett is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (New York Life) based in Waynesville, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and five years of industry experience. He has worked with Eagle Strategies since 2022 and has been affiliated with NYLIFE Securities LLC and New York Life Insurance Company since 2020. Outside of his advisory role, Bennett serves as a board member for the AYSO youth soccer organization and is pursuing a Master of Arts in Theological Studies through Westminster Theological Seminary. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plans, and institutional clients, offering financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm emphasizes tailored recommendations and manages the majority of its assets on a non-discretionary basis within the New York Life affiliate structure.

Eric Henry is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. in Asheville, NC, holding a Series 66 credential and nine years of industry experience. He has been with Bankers Life and its affiliated entities since 2004 and serves as a unit field trainer, recruiting and training new insurance agents. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. primarily serves mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals, offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, consulting, and retirement plan services. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to tailor asset allocations and manages portfolios across a range of securities based on clients’ goals and risk tolerances.

Madison Ramella is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license, with three years of industry experience. She is currently with Mercer Global Advisors Inc. and previously worked at Raymond James Financial Services Advisers. Outside of finance, she has experience working with Flour Shop. Mercer Global Advisors serves individuals, families, small business owners, plan sponsors, foundations, non-profits, and endowments, offering investment advisory services alongside financial, tax, retirement, and estate planning as well as family office services. The firm’s investment approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory and utilizes globally diversified, risk-appropriate portfolios with multi-factor tilts, implemented through ETFs, index funds, separate account managers, direct indexing, and other options.

David Werle is a CFP® with 14 years of industry experience and is currently an advisor at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. He previously worked at Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc., Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., and Starks Financial Group. Werle serves as a director on the board of OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling, a nonprofit organization focused on financial education. Mercer Global Advisors provides investment advisory services to individuals, families, small business owners, plan sponsors, foundations, non-profits, and endowments. The firm’s approach emphasizes globally diversified, risk-appropriate portfolios implemented with low-cost funds and incorporates specialized services such as retirement plan consulting and charitable advisory.

Jennifer Adams is a CFP® with 25 years of industry experience. She has worked at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. since 2022 and previously spent over two decades with Raymond James Financial Services. Outside of advisory roles, she has served as a Notary Public and was involved with Starks-Thomas Properties, LLC. Mercer Global Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth families, small business owners, corporate plan sponsors, foundations, and nonprofits. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory-based investment approach that emphasizes globally diversified, risk-appropriate portfolios with multi-factor tilts and offers a range of implementation options alongside financial and estate planning services.

Rebecca Upton is a financial advisor at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. with five years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Raymond James Financial Services and Starks Financial Group. Outside of finance, she teaches piano lessons in Clyde, North Carolina. Mercer Global Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth families, small business owners, and nonprofit organizations. The firm utilizes a Modern Portfolio Theory-based investment approach focused on globally diversified, risk-appropriate portfolios and offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services.

Daniel Stanush is a financial advisor at Schwab Wealth Advisory with 15 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with Charles Schwab and its affiliated firms since 2011. Schwab Wealth Advisory serves clients enrolled in the Schwab Wealth Advisory program and certain Charles Schwab & Co.-referred clients, providing non-discretionary fiduciary investment advice and financial planning. The firm’s approach is based on Charles Schwab & Co.’s asset-allocation models and internal research, with advice tailored to clients’ goals and risk tolerance and trades executed only with client authorization.

George Rescigno is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. He holds Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and has 20 years of industry experience. He has worked with Bankers Life & Casualty since 2006 and Bankers Life Securities Inc since 2017. In addition to his advisory role, he is also an insurance agent with Bankers Life & Casualty. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. provides discretionary portfolio management and investment consulting primarily to mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals. The firm emphasizes customized asset allocation, tax efficiency, and a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis in its investment approach.

Evan Mc Curry is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Waynesville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he spent nine years at Bank of America/Merrill Lynch and one year at Spring Mobile. 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 nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.