Michael Bookhardt is the sole advisor at Affluence Advisory LLC in Mount Holly, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses with two years of industry experience. His background includes a year at The Vanguard Group and over 20 years as managing member of a construction business. Affluence Advisory LLC provides discretionary investment supervisory services to individuals, businesses, trusts, foundations, and charitable entities. The firm uses passive, low-cost mutual funds and ETFs with asset-allocation strategies based on modern portfolio theory, focusing on long-term equity investments and fixed-income allocations with regular rebalancing and tax-aware adjustments.

Joseph Leonard is a financial advisor with Leonard Wealth Management, LLC in Lincolnton, NC, holding a Series 63 license and 24 years of industry experience. He previously worked at AE Wealth Management, Foundation For Financial Education, Formula Folio Investments, and Retirement Wealth Advisors. Outside of advising, he provides trumpet lessons and performances through his Cain Leonard Trumpet Studio and offers adult education on retirement planning. Leonard Wealth Management, LLC is an independent registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, charities, and pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm provides comprehensive financial planning, hourly consulting, estate-settlement assistance, and discretionary portfolio management, using a combination of model portfolios, third-party advisors, and various portfolio construction techniques.

Ryan Hammond is a financial advisor at Hammond Wealth Partners with one year of industry experience. He has held positions at Amplified Planning, The Vanguard Group, and Wells Fargo. Hammond Wealth Partners is a fee-only fiduciary firm providing discretionary investment management and financial planning mainly to individuals, families, and high-net-worth clients. The firm offers customized portfolios combining strategic asset allocation, tax-efficient management, and active tactical approaches based on multiple analysis methods, with clients able to impose reasonable investment restrictions.

Matthew Kale is the sole advisor at Extraordinary Kale LLC and holds a Series 65 designation. He has one year of experience in the financial advisory industry and has prior work experience at Goodwill Catholic Media and PETSMART. Outside of his advisory role, he maintains an executive position with Goodwill Catholic Media. Extraordinary Kale LLC provides advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and corporations, offering asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan rollover advice. The firm combines hourly-billed financial planning and consulting with active portfolio management, using a primarily value-oriented, long-term approach alongside tactical and strategic asset-allocation techniques.

Andrew Gibson is a financial advisor at Integrative Planning, Inc. with 12 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Vanguard Advisors, Inc. and Alphastar Capital Management, LLC. Integrative Planning, Inc. provides discretionary asset management, model-portfolio implementation, and financial planning services primarily for individual clients. The firm manages approximately $100 million across about 400 clients, employing strategic and rules-based tactical portfolios that incorporate a variety of asset classes and quantitative, technical, and fundamental analysis.

John Zarinsky is a CFP® and Series 65 credentialed advisor with 13 years of industry experience. He has been with SafeBridge LLC since 2016, including a prior tenure at AE Wealth Management, LLC, and Horter Investment Management, LLC. Zarinsky is licensed to sell life insurance and annuities but does not receive commissions from their sale. SafeBridge primarily serves individuals and families near or in retirement, focusing on retirement income planning, tax-aware advice, and discretionary investment management. The firm emphasizes long-term portfolio construction using low-cost index ETFs and high-quality fixed income, integrating tax planning and optional tax-return preparation.

Shawn Lee is a Series 65 licensed advisor at Integrative Planning, Inc. with 15 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Alphastar Capital Management, Milestone Asset Management, Brookstone Capital Management, and Beacon Wealth Advisors. He is also CEO of the Learning for Life Foundation, a nonprofit focused on lifestyle and financial well-being. Integrative Planning, Inc. provides discretionary asset management, model-portfolio implementation, and financial planning services primarily for individual households. The firm combines strategic and tactical portfolios using a variety of asset classes and emphasizes tax-aware asset location and rebalancing.

My career began in Washington, D.C. I finished studies at George Washington University, then moved from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to a career as a management consultant with IBM. Although the work was I did was always interesting, it wasn’t what I would or could call a calling or a passion. I needed a goal. Thankfully, my wife Jillian was on-board with the idea of leaving it all behind to travel the world, so that’s what we did. After spending years with a singular financial goal, careers were put on hold, the plunge was taken and next thing we knew we were petting grey whales in Mexico on day one of a trip through 50 countries around the globe over 21 months. Then we came home. I was a new person in need of a new career; I wasn’t interested in opening a travel agency and that meant financial planning was the next logical choice. Why you ask? The number one question I’m asked about that trip is how we paid for it! When it comes down to it, my career today is about helping others realize their own goals—retirement, travel, education, lifestyle, etc.—and that’s just what I had done for myself. Bringing that experience to my career, to help others do the same, means I no longer have a career…this is a calling. I joined my father in Florida and followed his footsteps to become a Certified Financial Planner™ Professional. Later, with three children—Amira, Nora and Samuel—Jillian and I decided it was time to leave Florida and put down roots in a place where we could spend more time doing the things we loved to do like whitewater kayaking, mountain biking, hiking and camping. Although my first position in North Carolina was a rewarding one, I wanted to focus more of my time working with people and helping them achieve their dreams. Out of that desire Passport Wealth Management was born.

Jason List is a CFP® with 17 years of industry experience, currently serving at Aventus Investment Advisors, Inc. He has held roles at Truist Advisory Services, Truist Investment Services, BB&T, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, and Vanguard Advisers. He holds licenses including Series 63 and Series 66. Aventus Investment Advisors provides portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, businesses, charitable organizations, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm combines global macroeconomic analysis with fundamental research to manage both long-term and shorter-term investment strategies, and also offers educational seminars and coordinated estate planning support.

Nicholas Lavella is a CFP® professional with 10 years of industry experience. He currently works at Integrative Planning, Inc. and has prior experience with Beacon Wealth Advisors, Alphastar Capital Management, LLC, and The Vanguard Group, Inc. Integrative Planning, Inc. is an SEC-registered advisory firm providing discretionary asset management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, small businesses, trusts, estates, pooled investment vehicles, and charities. The firm uses a combination of strategic and tactical model portfolios, custom portfolios, and sub-advisors, managing approximately $101.4 million in discretionary assets.

Christopher Lee is a CFP® professional at Passport Wealth Management with experience starting in 2024. Prior to his current role, he held positions at several firms and organizations, including Choreo, SFMG Wealth Advisors, and Trustcore Financial. He also spent time at the University of Georgia and took a year for extended travel. Passport Wealth Management is an SEC-registered adviser serving individuals, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm employs a passive investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory and offers comprehensive financial planning, investment management, tax return preparation through a third-party provider, and retirement plan consulting.

Thomas Kelly is a financial advisor at Aspire Private Capital with 14 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at Aspire since 2014. Kelly also owns Covenant Private Capital, an insurance and annuity product sales firm, and works as a marketing consultant for Aspire Insurance Solutions. Aspire Private Capital manages approximately $510 million for individuals, corporations, and retirement plans, offering investment management, financial planning, and retirement consulting. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis and often recommends third-party sub-advisers through the GeoWealth platform.

Wesley Taylor is a CFP® professional with seven years of industry experience, currently advising at Aspire Private Capital. He previously worked at The Vanguard Group and Edward Jones and has held roles outside the investment industry. In addition to his advisory work, he sells annuities and life insurance on a limited basis. Aspire Private Capital manages approximately $510 million for individuals, corporations, and retirement plans, providing comprehensive investment management, financial planning, and retirement consulting. The firm often uses third-party sub-advisers and model portfolios, combining fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis across various asset classes.

John Philpott is a financial advisor with Aspire Private Capital, holding a Series 65 credential and 15 years of industry experience. He has worked at Aspire since 2010 and previously at Global Financial Private Capital from 2012 to 2017. Outside of his advisory role, Philpott is involved as owner and broker at Pier 28 Realty and serves as president of Estate and Retirement Consultants, which focuses on fixed life and annuity sales. Aspire Private Capital is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $510 million for individuals, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis and typically recommends third-party sub-advisers through the GeoWealth platform while offering investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting services.

Jaime Guevara is a financial advisor at Aspire Private Capital with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Aspire since 2016. Outside of his advisory role, he works as a freelance English-Spanish interpreter for state and federal agencies. Aspire Private Capital is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $510 million for individuals, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, retirement consulting, and tax services, commonly employing third-party sub-advisers and model solutions to serve its clients.

Trenton Derrick is a financial advisor at Aspire Private Capital with nine years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations and previously worked at Vanguard Group and 7 Mile Advisors. He also leads Derrick Financial Solutions, LLC, which provides insurance, annuity sales, and financial planning services. Aspire Private Capital manages approximately $510 million for individuals, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm offers investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and tax consulting, utilizing a mix of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis across various asset classes.

Thomas Farrell is a CFP® with 18 years of industry experience. He is currently a financial advisor at Aspire Private Capital, where he has worked since 2014. Prior to this, he held roles at Global Financial Private Capital, Wells Fargo Clearing, and Edward Jones. Outside his advisory work, Farrell is also an independent insurance sales agent specializing in insurance and annuity product sales. Aspire Private Capital manages approximately $510 million for individuals, corporations, and retirement plans, offering investment management, financial planning, and retirement consulting services. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis and often utilizes third-party sub-advisers through the GeoWealth platform, complemented by educational workshops for clients.

Gregory Padgitt is a CFP® with 18 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with Aspire Private Capital and has previously worked at Nationwide Securities LLC, Nationwide Financial, and LPL Financial. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with Plushenko Enterprises LLC. Aspire Private Capital is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $510 million for individuals, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and selective tax consulting, frequently using third-party sub-advisers and model solutions through the GeoWealth platform.

Antonio Burkett is a CFP® with 13 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Aspire Private Capital since 2018. He previously worked at LPL Financial LLC and Morton Malloy Realty. Aspire Private Capital is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $510 million for individuals, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm provides investment management, financial planning, retirement consulting, and selective tax consulting, often utilizing third-party sub-advisers and model portfolios through the GeoWealth platform.

Andrew Watkins is a financial advisor with Principal Advised Services in Denver, NC, holding Series 63 and 65 licenses and bringing 15 years of industry experience. He has worked with Principal Financial Services, Principal Life Insurance Company, and Wells Fargo Advisors during his career. Watkins also serves as a team lead at Principal Advised Services, providing one-on-one investment advice to retirement plan participants. Principal Advised Services offers investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, combining third-party methodologies and proprietary models. The firm is part of the Principal Financial Group family, which provides access to a range of affiliated financial products and integrated trading services.