Herman Brunson Jr. is the sole advisor at Balance Investments in Statesville, NC, with 14 years of industry experience. He holds Series 66 and Series 65 licenses and has led Balance Investments since 2014. Balance Investments provides investment advisory services and financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses, offering portfolio management, written financial plans, and ongoing reviews. The firm uses a core-satellite investment strategy tailored to client-specific factors and integrates both fundamental and technical analysis, while also providing public educational seminars and webinars.

Shawn Fleming is a financial advisor with Professional Wealth Management Services LLC in Statesville, NC, holding the ChFC® designation and a Series 65 license. He has 18 years of industry experience and has been with Professional Wealth Management Services since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, Shawn is independently licensed in life, accident, and health insurance and provides limited insurance agent services as part of comprehensive financial planning. He is also engaged in general business and management consulting. Professional Wealth Management Services LLC serves individuals and trusts with fee-only financial planning and discretionary portfolio management. The firm emphasizes suitability and tailored strategies, managing approximately $136 million for about 60 clients through a two-advisor team.

John Stevenson is a financial advisor with Professional Wealth Management Services LLC in Statesville, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with 22 years of industry experience. He has been with Professional Wealth Management Services since 2007. Outside of his advisory role, John is independently licensed in life, accident, and health insurance and also engages in general business and management consulting. Professional Wealth Management Services LLC provides fee-only financial planning and discretionary portfolio management primarily for individuals and trusts. The firm emphasizes tailored investment strategies based on detailed risk assessments and offers a wrap fee program that includes bundled asset allocation and trade execution services.

James Deporre Jr. is a financial advisor with Hammerhead Financial Strategies, LLC and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has 21 years of industry experience, including roles at Shark Investing, Inc. and Shark Asset Management, Inc. Since 2005, he has been president of Shark Investing, Inc., which operates a subscription-based website providing daily stock market articles and other content to subscribers. Hammerhead Financial Strategies offers discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting primarily to high-net-worth clients. The firm employs an active, opportunistic investment approach using proprietary trading methods that incorporate fundamental, technical, and behavioral analysis, with a focus on higher-beta equities and risk controls such as diversification and hedging strategies.

Donald Masters is a financial advisor at Masters Tax and Financial Planning LLC in Statesville, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with five years of industry experience. He has previously worked at Centaurus Financial Inc. and HD Vest Investment Services, and he owns a Certified Public Accountant firm, Donald M Masters CPA PC. Masters Tax and Financial Planning LLC primarily serves high-net-worth individuals, families, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations, offering discretionary portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, and tax-efficient investment strategies. The firm emphasizes long-term, tax-aware portfolios and provides related professional services through its principal’s separate CPA practice.

Timothy Bain is a financial advisor with Spark Asset Management Group in Statesville, NC, holding Series 63 and 65 licenses and bringing 32 years of industry experience. He has been with Spark Asset Management Group and StoneX Securities Inc. since 2010. Outside of finance, Bain is involved in MUSIC 49 INC., where he teaches music lessons and assists with marketing and bookkeeping. Spark Asset Management Group is a state-registered investment adviser offering discretionary asset management, retirement advice, and financial planning to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm employs tactical asset allocation using trend-following models combined with technical and fundamental research and manages a range of portfolios, including specialty accounts utilizing derivatives and leveraged products.

Mary Masters is a financial advisor at Masters Tax and Financial Planning LLC with 26 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments and Cetera Advisors. Mary is also a licensed insurance agent, offering insurance products on a limited basis. Masters Tax and Financial Planning LLC serves high-net-worth individuals, families, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations. The firm focuses on long-term, tax-aware portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning, incorporating fundamental, technical, and macroeconomic analysis.

Matthew Ellis is a financial advisor with Fidelis Capital and holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 designations. He has 19 years of industry experience, including prior roles at Wells Fargo and Merrill. Ellis serves on the board of Centerstone Military Services, a nonprofit organization. Fidelis Capital Partners provides investment advisory and related services to individuals, family offices, trusts, philanthropic organizations, and other entities. The firm employs a multi-faceted investment approach combining quantitative, fundamental, technical, and economic analysis, and manages portfolios on a primarily discretionary basis while also offering financial planning and sub-advisory services.

Nina Lloyd is President and CEO of Opus Financial Advisors, Inc. She holds the CFP® designation and has 15 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at FSC Securities Corporation and LPL Financial LLC. Outside of her advisory work, she is the owner and president of Lloyd Grading and Utilities, Inc. Opus Financial Advisors is a team-based firm serving individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm offers financial planning, discretionary portfolio management, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing a range of sponsored and third-party investment programs primarily on the LPL platform.

James Staples is a CFP® with 43 years of industry experience and serves as President of Opus Financial Advisors, Inc. He has worked at LPL Financial LLC and FSC Securities Corporation and has been with Opus Financial Advisors since 1982. Staples serves as a board member for Children's Homes of Iredell County and has held leadership roles in local nonprofit organizations related to education and community outreach. Opus Financial Advisors is a team-based firm serving individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm offers financial planning, discretionary portfolio management, and retirement plan consulting using a variety of sponsored and third-party programs primarily on the LPL platform, with a mix of fundamental and technical investment methods.

Janna Deegan is a financial advisor at Opus Financial Advisors, Inc. with 10 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Opus Financial Advisors since 2015. Deegan also serves as the firm’s Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer and is a licensed notary public. Opus Financial Advisors is a state-registered, team-based firm serving individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm offers financial planning, discretionary portfolio management, and retirement plan consulting using a combination of firm-sponsored and third-party investment programs primarily administered on the LPL platform.

Nilsa Daniel is a financial advisor with Opus Financial Advisors, Inc. in Statesville, NC. She holds a Series 66 designation and has nine years of industry experience, having previously worked at LPL Financial LLC, OSAIC, FSC Securities Corporation, Morgan Stanley, and Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC. Outside of advising, she is a North Carolina notary public and occasionally notarizes documents. Opus Financial Advisors is a team-based, state-registered firm serving individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm offers financial planning, discretionary portfolio management, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing a mix of sponsored and third-party programs primarily administered on the LPL platform.

Lisa Fox is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Opus Financial Advisors, Inc. in Statesville, NC, with six years at the firm and a total of four years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at LPL Financial, OSAIC, FSC Securities Corporation, and Houston Insurance Agency. She serves as a notary public for Iredell County and is a board member of the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce. Opus Financial Advisors is a team-based, state-registered advisory firm serving individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm offers financial planning, discretionary portfolio management, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money managers primarily via the LPL platform, combining advisory services with licensed professionals in real estate, accounting, and insurance.

Theodore De Lisi is a financial advisor at Inspire Advisors, LLC with 36 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Carson Wealth, Cetera Advisor Networks, and LPL Financial. He is also an independent insurance agent licensed in North Carolina for property and casualty, life, and health insurance. Inspire Advisors, LLC manages approximately $1.33 billion in discretionary client assets and serves individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals, as well as institutions and charitable organizations. The firm integrates Biblically Responsible Investing into its portfolio construction and offers a range of services including discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting.

Kayla Smith is a financial advisor at Credit Union Investment Services with six years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked in various roles within SECU-related entities since 2009. Outside of financial services, she also works in customer service for Crate and Barrel. Credit Union Investment Services serves individual and trust clients in North Carolina with a non-discretionary investment approach, focusing on low-cost mutual funds, ETFs, and fixed-income products alongside retirement and financial planning. The firm’s advisers are salaried employees of the parent credit union and provide recommendations while clients retain final decision authority.

Jennifer Walker is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Statesville, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 10 years of industry experience. She has worked with Members Trust Company since 2019 and has been affiliated with Credit Union Investment Services, SeCU Life Insurance Company, SeCU Brokerage Services, and State Employees' Credit Union since 2015 or earlier. Walker serves as a Financial Advisory Services Specialist at State Employees' Credit Union and acts as a life insurance agent for SeCU Life Insurance Company. Credit Union Investment Services serves individual investors and some trust clients in North Carolina, providing non-discretionary portfolio management, retirement and financial planning, and a wrap-fee program. The firm focuses on low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs, fixed-income products, and a goals-based, long-term planning approach, with advisor recommendations implemented at the client’s discretion.

Charles Woy is a financial advisor with Foundations Investment Advisors LLC in Hickory, NC. He holds a Series 65 designation and has one year of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Epic Wealth, Southline Converting, and Appliances Superstore. Foundations Investment Advisors, LLC provides financial planning and portfolio management services to a diverse client base, including individual, high-net-worth clients, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and registered investment companies. The firm uses a range of analysis techniques and offers tailored advice through a network of affiliated offices and representatives.

Eric Sides is a financial advisor with StoneX Advisors Inc. in Statesville, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 30 years of industry experience. He has been with StoneX Advisors since 2016 and StoneX Securities since 2010. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of Elledge Bain Sides, LLC, overseeing operations part-time, and is a board member of Synergy Holding Group, Inc. StoneX Advisors Inc. serves individuals, corporations, retirement plans, and charitable organizations by providing portfolio management, financial planning, ERISA plan consulting, and related services through a combination of independent advisors and an in-house Private Client Group. The firm utilizes multiple account structures and model-based solutions, implementing strategies via advisor-managed portfolios, proprietary models, third-party money managers, and various platforms.

Terry Hollar is a ChFC® with 38 years of industry experience, currently serving at Regal Investment Advisors LLC and Regulus, LLC. He has held roles at these firms since 2012 and 2014, respectively. Outside of his advisory work, Hollar is president of a homeowners association and is active as an officer and president in local community organizations, including a Lutheran day school and church. Regal Investment Advisors LLC (doing business as LionShare) provides discretionary investment management services to independent advisers and their clients, offering proprietary and third-party model portfolios across various asset classes. The firm serves individual, charitable, and corporate clients through a network of financial advisers who manage suitability and client communications.

Penny Paugh is a ChFC® with 28 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Inspire Advisors, LLC. Her prior roles include positions at Carson Wealth, Cetera Advisor Networks, IFG Advisory, and LPL Financial. She is also a board member of the Statesville Chamber of Commerce. Inspire Advisors, LLC manages approximately $1.33 billion in discretionary client assets and serves individual clients—including high-net-worth individuals—as well as institutions and charitable organizations. The firm integrates Biblically Responsible Investing into its portfolios using proprietary tools and combines multiple analytical methods to construct investment models, often delegating management to sub-advisors and affiliated managers.