Jon Green is a CFP® and PFS™ credentialed financial advisor with 21 years of industry experience. He has been the principal of Encompass Advisors, Ltd. since 2004. In addition to his advisory role, he is an author conducting research and writing on investment-related topics. Encompass Advisors, Ltd. provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and businesses. The firm focuses on customized, long-term portfolio construction using a combination of low-cost mutual funds, ETFs, and individual securities, employing fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis with ongoing portfolio monitoring and formal annual reviews.

William Zimmer is a financial advisor at Fortress Private Ledger, LLC with 12 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Prior to joining Fortress, he worked at MML Investors Services and Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company. Outside of his advisory role, Zimmer is co-founder and co-owner of Ecusta Brewing Company, a brewery located in Pisgah Forest, NC. Fortress Private Ledger serves individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth individuals and employer-sponsored retirement plans, offering financial planning, consulting, portfolio management, and specialized Qualified Opportunity Zone advisory services. The firm’s investment approach integrates trend identification and technical analysis with complementary strategies across various asset types, delivering tailored portfolio solutions through a network of investment adviser representatives.

Dean St. Marie is a CFP® professional with 25 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at The Fiduciary Alliance since 2025. He previously worked at Bison Wealth, LLC for five years and led St Marie Financial Advisors for six years. Outside of advisory work, he is a board member and finance committee participant for SAFE Womens Domestic Violence Services and serves on the board for the Ecusta Trail Rail Trail Project in Brevard, NC. The Fiduciary Alliance provides investment management and comprehensive financial planning services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, and other advisers. The firm employs a mix of fundamental, technical, cyclical, and charting analysis in portfolio supervision and offers discretionary management alongside estate, business, and risk-planning support.

Ray Croff is a ChFC® credentialed financial advisor with nine years of industry experience, currently serving at Brookstone Capital Management LLC. His background includes prior work with Hall ETF Wealth Management System, Inc. and over two decades of self-employment. Outside of investment advisory services, he is involved in exit planning roundtables for business owners and administers a subscription-based educational portal for financial advisors. Brookstone Capital Management provides fee-based asset management and financial planning to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, and other entities. The firm employs strategic and dynamic asset-allocation models, diverse investment vehicles, and proprietary platforms while acting as both an advisor and sub-advisor to various programs.

Daniel Ortman is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services who holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 30 years of industry experience. He worked at Metlife Securities Inc. for 19 years before joining Mass Mutual Investors Services in 2017 and has also been affiliated with MassMutual Life Insurance Co. since 2016. Mass Mutual Investors Services operates as a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser providing financial planning and related services to individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm offers asset management, wrap and money-manager programs, and educational seminars, with planning engagements structured as annual, collaborative relationships using firm-approved analytical tools.

Nicholas Sotirakopulos is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Advisors LLC since 2011. Outside of his advisory role, he has a 50% ownership interest in JS Properties Brevard, LLC. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory solutions. The firm’s approach is IPS-driven and incorporates modern portfolio theory, with a broader investment menu that includes insurance-related products and bank deposit sweep options.

Wesley Thompson serves as a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He holds the Professional Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Wesley attended Southern Methodist University without earning a diploma and later earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Alabama System.

Jason Lefler is a financial advisor with Stifel in Brevard, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Stifel Nicolaus & Co Inc since 2016. Stifel serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutional clients, and municipal entities, offering brokerage and investment advisory services supported by proprietary investment analysis and allocation methodologies developed by its Investment Strategy Group.

Michael Boulos is a financial advisor with Stifel, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and with 42 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. He has been with Stifel Nicolaus & Co Inc since 2019. Stifel serves a broad range of clients, including individuals, institutional clients, charitable organizations, and municipal entities, offering brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm employs a proprietary investment methodology developed by its Investment Strategy Group, which supports its asset allocation and planning services.

Walker Gaultney is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 44 years of industry experience. He has held roles at Securities America Advisors, Inc. and Securities America, Inc. from 2001 to 2024, and has operated his own practice since 1983. Additionally, he is involved in life insurance sales as an agent. OSAIC serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations through a large network of affiliated financial advisers and multiple advisory platforms. The firm offers a range of integrated brokerage and investment advisory services, utilizing asset-allocation tools and third-party resources to construct portfolios across various asset classes.

Milton Tynch Jr. is a financial advisor at Stifel with 27 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Stifel Nicolaus since 2008. Stifel serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutional clients, and charitable organizations, offering brokerage and investment advisory services supported by a proprietary investment methodology developed by its Investment Strategy Group.

Joshua Tilley is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 18 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Edward Jones since 2008. 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. The firm provides discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, affiliated mutual funds, and operates under a fiduciary standard.

Ronald Rick is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Brevard, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and possessing 40 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, managing approximately $671 billion in assets and employing over 14,000 financial advisors.

Tyler Koopman is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license, with four years of industry experience. He is currently affiliated with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and has prior experience with LPL Financial. Outside of his advisory role, he has been involved with the American Forest Foundation. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and trusts. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning and investment management services through a network of independent professionals, utilizing a variety of portfolio management and advisory platforms tailored to client objectives.

Carla Erikson is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 43 years of industry experience. She worked at Merrill from 1982 to 2017 before joining Morgan Stanley and its Private Bank in 2017. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individual and institutional clients with comprehensive financial planning and advisory programs. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured planning process supported by firm-approved tools and analysis.

Jonathan Larocca is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Brevard, North Carolina, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 10 years of industry experience. He has worked at several firms including Royal Alliance Associates, Sii, and Signator Investors prior to joining LPL Financial in 2019. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services through a large network of investment adviser representatives, utilizing model portfolios, third-party subadvisors, and customizable strategies.

David Gregg is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Sarasota, Florida. He has been with the firm since 1993 and works primarily with retired or soon-to-be retired clients, focusing on helping them identify and attain their financial and aspirational goals. With over 30 years of investment experience, David offers personalized attention and customized investment recommendations that include asset management, tax-efficient strategies, educational funding, and wealth preservation. He combines his expertise with insights from Merrill’s analysts and strategists, as well as the banking resources of Bank of America, to address the many aspects of his clients’ financial lives. David holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with a focus on Economics and Finance, from Bowling Green State University and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). David has been involved in community activities such as serving on the board of the YMCA and volunteering at Mote Marine Laboratories. He and his son are avid scuba divers who enjoy boating and travel. They also share an interest in ballet and opera, with his daughters participating in the Sarasota Ballet Conservatory and Sarasota Youth Opera.

Samuel Gabin is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and two years of industry experience. He has worked with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2014 and joined Wells Fargo Clearing in 2023. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary investment services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and based on modern portfolio theory, incorporating a broad range of financial products including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Thomas Whelan is a CFP® professional with 32 years of industry experience, currently serving at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. He previously worked at A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. for 11 years. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm providing investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers a combination of brokerage and advisory solutions.

Darcie Guerin is a financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 39 years of industry experience. She has been with Raymond James since 2004. Outside of her advisory work, she owns DPG Insights, a business not related to investments. 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 wide range of clients including individuals, institutions, and municipal entities, offering financial planning, non-discretionary investment consulting, and specialized municipal advisory services.

Theodore Whitlock is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Edward Jones in Brevard, NC, where he has worked since 2018. He has seven years of industry experience and previously owned a fly fishing outfitting business, Altamont Professional Services LTD. Whitlock has also been involved with Altamont Anglers since 2004. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a nationwide network of financial advisors and offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

James Hatcher is a financial advisor at Cetera with 30 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has previously worked at Atlantic Asset Management and Avantax entities. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm that serves individual clients, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and access to various third-party managers via multiple program structures and custodial relationships.

Lindsey Caughel is a CFP®-credentialed financial advisor with Edward Jones in Brevard, NC, with seven years of industry experience. Before joining Edward Jones in 2019, Lindsey worked in roles including with the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers. Lindsey is a part owner of a QC Kinetix healthcare franchise in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management and a nationwide network of over 23,000 advisors. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and affiliated investment products under a fiduciary standard.

William Hendrix is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Ty Hendrix Investment Management and Equator Coffees. 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 a range of advisory services including financial planning, model portfolio programs, and institutional platforms, supported by a network of over 22,800 advisors.

Edward Krakovsky is a ChFC® credentialed financial advisor with 30 years of industry experience. He has worked at Cetera and its affiliates since 2013 and currently serves as a consultant with Grace Hayden MacNaught, assisting with the transition of client books. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser that provides a broad range of portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement services to individual, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers multiple program structures and access to both affiliated and unaffiliated money managers, managing over $256 billion in assets across more than 10,000 advisors.

Gerald Hendrix Jr. is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 30 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2003, following prior roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wachovia Securities. Outside of advising, he is an organic beekeeper who occasionally sells raw honey. 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 financial planning and investment management services through a large network of advisors, employing various strategies including model portfolios and third-party subadvisors.

Carson Waddell is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with LPL Financial, based in Brevard, NC, where he has worked since 2021. He has five years of industry experience and previously worked at Ty Hendrix Investment Management and held roles at Brevard College and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. 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 financial planning, model portfolio programs, and access to third-party asset managers, providing advisory and brokerage services through a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Kyle Mc Donald is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Brevard, NC. He holds the Series 66 designation and has one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Executive Planners NC, Workout Anytime, and Red Wolf Tours. 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 advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Gary Brown is a financial advisor at Merrill with 43 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at Merrill since 1982, including a concurrent role at Bank of America since 2017. 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.