Bruce Shay is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with one year of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation. Prior to joining Empower, he worked at Deloitte & Touche LLP for 23 years. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as certain IRA and retail brokerage clients, using an integrated model aligned with Empower’s administrative platforms.

James Gentry Jr Jr is a CFP® and ChFC® credentialed financial advisor with 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2012. In addition to his advisory role, he manages Freedom Odyssey LLC, a real estate holding entity related to his branch office building. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, with a broad range of advisory programs and affiliated financial services supported by a nationwide network of approximately 23,701 financial advisors.

Geddings Crawford Jr. is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Janney Montgomery Scott for 12 years before joining Raymond James in 2024. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm uses analytical tools such as risk profiling and probability modeling to tailor non-discretionary investment consulting and supports its clients through various advisory programs and institutional consulting services.

Phillip Smelser is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors in Burnsville, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 30 years of industry experience. He has worked with Cambridge since 2008 and has prior experience at The Householder Group and Truist Investment Services. Outside of advising, he serves as treasurer for St. Thomas Episcopal Church and teaches retirement classes; he is also training to become a Professional Barbell Coach to open a business in retirement. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a broad mix of individual and institutional clients by providing financial planning, investment management, retirement-plan advisory, and wrap-fee programs through a large network of financial professionals and multiple platform options.

David Wilson is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Burnsville, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 19 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at United Community Bank, Bank of America, Merrill, and Hancock Investment Services. Outside of advising, he owns Southern Spoon Inc., a non-investment business. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions through a large network of advisors. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, managed portfolios, and institutional platforms.

Richard Trouillot is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 30 years of industry experience. He has held positions at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously worked at Morgan Stanley DW Inc. from 1997 to 2005. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers a broad range of brokerage and advisory solutions.

Thomas Perkins Jr. is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Spruce Pine, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2018 and previously worked at Verizon Wireless from 2015 to 2018. 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 under management and offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions through a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Howard Kobrin is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and carrying 41 years of industry experience. His prior roles include six years at Prudential Equity Group, LLC. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting services. The firm utilizes research and analytics to guide investment decisions and offers a broad range of brokerage and advisory solutions.

Harry Crosby III is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Spruce Pine, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 22 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2003. Outside of his advisory role, Crosby serves as an assistant cross country coach for Avery County Schools during the fall season. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a nationwide network of over 23,700 advisors, offering a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies, affiliated mutual funds, and tax-efficient services under a fiduciary standard.

Kenneth Howell is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Burnsville, North Carolina, holding a Series 66 credential with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2025, he worked at North Carolina Farm Bureau and co-owned a restaurant business for over a decade. He also owned a management company related to his previous business, which is in the process of dissolution. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a broad range of advisory programs, discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, and affiliated investment options. The firm is notable for its extensive advisor network, retail footprint, and additional capabilities including a trust company and securities-based lending.

Richard Schooley Jr. is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and over 31 years of industry experience. He has been a managing partner at Dogwood Wealth Advisors since 2014 and has previously been involved with Big Water Properties. Outside of his advisory work, he is a partner at Coolsville Farms, where he oversees forestry activities. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to individual and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning using risk profiling and analytical modeling and supports a broad advisor network with specialized municipal advisory and employer consulting programs.

Shane Ellingson is a financial advisor at Cetera with 12 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at several firms including Avantax Advisory Services and Raymond James & Associates. Outside of his advisory role, he is the managing member of an RV park operating business. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm that serves a broad range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional accounts. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and access to various investment strategies through a multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary program options.