Jean Alden is a Series 65 licensed financial advisor with 18 years of experience, serving clients through Liberated Investor Advisors, LLC since 2008. The firm provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning primarily for individual clients, including both high-net-worth and non-HNW investors. Liberated Investor Advisors utilizes model portfolios and third-party money managers to implement investment strategies focused on diversification and long-term purchase approaches across ETFs, mutual funds, and individual stocks. The firm operates as a small, single-advisor practice, with Jean Alden directly managing client relationships.

Douglas Alden is a financial advisor with Liberated Investor Advisors, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 25 years of industry experience. He has worked with Winning Point Advisors, L.L.C. and Efficient Advisors, LLC, and serves as president of Alden Agency, Inc., an independent insurance agency specializing in life and disability insurance sales. Liberated Investor Advisors primarily serves individual and high-net-worth clients by providing discretionary portfolio management and financial planning. The firm employs model portfolios and third-party money managers across various asset classes and strategies, combining investment advisory services with licensed insurance offerings and solicitor arrangements.

Dustin Poteat is a financial advisor with Gradient Advisors, LLC and holds a Series 65 designation. He has one year of industry experience and a background that includes roles at Crane Resistoflex and Premier Insurance Services, Inc. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a consultant in operations and analytics for a manufacturing firm. Gradient Advisors, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and consulting to a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm operates primarily through third-party money managers and Investment Advisor Representatives, utilizing a largely non-discretionary model and multiple analytical approaches to support client portfolios.

Catherine Zieman is a CFP® professional with 39 years of industry experience. She has worked at firms including Advisory Services Network, Field Point Private, Dominari Securities LLC, Neuberger Berman BD LLC, and Northern Trust Securities. Outside of her advisory work, she is the managing partner of High Pointe International Equestrian Tours, a travel agency operated as a hobby. Advisory Services Network provides investment advisory and planning services to individuals, families, corporations, and employer-sponsored retirement plans through a network of independent advisers. The firm offers a range of services including portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing various securities and third-party managers to tailor strategies to client objectives.

Boyd Phillips II is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in Marion, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 23 years of industry experience. He has been with Eagle Strategies since 2007 and has maintained concurrent roles with Nylife Securities LLC, New York Life Insurance Co, and Phillips Financial Group, LLC since 2006. Outside of advisory work, Phillips owns and operates a seedling plant business and participates in several local boards, including the McDowell County Schools board and the Mission Hospital McDowell oversight board. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plans, and institutional clients, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm offers multiple program types tailored to client objectives and emphasizes non-discretionary asset management within an integrated New York Life affiliate structure.

Catherine Morris Nink is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at Phillips Financial Group LLC, Nylife Securities LLC, and Pharo Management, Inc. She has an ownership interest in a rental property outside of her advisory work. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse range of individual and institutional clients, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services through a large network of affiliated advisors, with a focus on tailored recommendations and mostly non-discretionary asset management.

James Engelman Jr. is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with five years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Transamerica Life Insurance Company and American United Life. His experience also includes a background outside of finance at Quality Care Transmission & Auto. 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 and offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies through a nationwide network of more than 23,700 financial advisors.

Rodney Kirkner is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 46 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has previously worked at Grove Point Advisors LLC, Grove Point Investments, LLC, and Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation. He is also involved in insurance sales related to non-variable insurance products. 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 provides a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning and access to third-party asset management, supported by technology solutions and a broad network of over 22,800 advisors.

James Boles is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Marion, NC, holding the CFP® designation and Series 66 license. He has seven years of industry experience, including five years at Enterprise Holdings before joining Edward Jones in 2018. Outside of his advisory role, he volunteers with WMIT Blue Ridge Broadcasting, assisting with event setup and engaging with attendees. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including various types of households and organizations. The firm manages over $1 trillion in assets across a nationwide network of more than 23,000 financial advisors and offers a range of advisory programs with discretionary and non-discretionary strategies.

Michael Daye is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc., holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. He has been with Raymond James since 2007 and also serves as an operations manager and financial advisor at Joe Davis Financial Associates, LLC. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and institutions. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning using analytical tools and supports advisory programs through a large network of advisors.

Daniel Steinberg is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 29 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015 and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs including tailored financial planning through its Financial Advisors and Estate Planning Strategies Group. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and uses a structured planning process that incorporates firm-approved tools and modeling techniques.

Joseph Davis III is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial in Marion, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 37 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Edward Jones from 2001 to 2006 before joining Raymond James Financial Services. Outside of advisory work, he owns and operates a storage business and several rental properties. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning and investment consulting to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional investors. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and consulting using risk profiling and modeling tools, and it supports municipal and public finance work through municipal advisor affiliation.

Juan Suarez is a financial advisor with Edelman Financial Engines, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 25 years of industry experience. He has worked at Edelman Financial Engines since 2024 and previously held roles at Rocket Mortgage, Portfolio Medics, LLC, LPL Financial, AXA Advisors, and other firms. Outside of financial advising, he owns a mattress sales business in Marion, NC. Edelman Financial Engines provides technology-enabled investment advisory and financial planning services to individual investors, retirement-plan participants, and institutional clients. The firm employs a committee-driven modeling process combined with planner delivery and online tools, offering diversified portfolios and both discretionary and non-discretionary management across a large client base.