CFP®-certified, exec comp design financial advisors in North Carolina

The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.

If you recently received a job offer with stock options or other executive compensation, you need an advisor who understands how to design these plans to fit your financial goals. Without expertise in exec comp design, you might miss out on maximizing your benefits or face unexpected tax consequences. CFP® certification means these advisors have formal training in financial planning, which helps them integrate your compensation into your broader financial picture.

  • Plan customization insight. Ask how they tailor executive compensation packages to align with your career stage and financial objectives.
  • Tax impact awareness. Confirm they explain how different compensation elements affect your tax situation now and in the future.
  • Vesting and liquidity strategy. Check if they help you plan around when your stock or options become available and how to convert them into cash wisely.
  • Coordination with employer. See if they work with your company's HR or benefits team to clarify plan details and optimize your package.

Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.

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Willie M

Series 63, Series 66

Cary, NC

Equitable Advisors

Willie Myles is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Cary, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 16 years of industry experience. He has worked at Equitable Advisors since 2016 and previously at AXA Advisors, LLC. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as co-chairman of a fundraising campaign for the nonprofit Alpha Light Fund Inc., focused on renovating the House of Alpha. Equitable Advisors serves a diverse client base including individual, high-net-worth, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients, offering financial planning, broker-dealer services, insurance distribution, and access to third-party asset management programs. The firm operates as both an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer, leveraging LPL-sponsored programs and endorsed TAMPs to deliver advisory and brokerage solutions.

Retirement income strategy Social Security optimization Founder/Business Owner Retired Executive Approaching retirement Baby Boomers (Born 1946-1964)
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Arjun A

Series 66

Raleigh, NC

Morgan Stanley

Arjun Aggarwal is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009 and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer offering a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutions, including tailored financial planning services. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured planning process using firm-approved tools and economic modeling techniques.

General estate planning guidance
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Robert P

CFA®, Series 63

Winston Salem, NC

Sheets Smith Wealth Management

Robert Pike is a CFA® charterholder with 20 years of industry experience. He is affiliated with Sheets Smith Wealth Management in Winston Salem, NC, and has been with Stratford Advisors, Inc. since 2004. Sheets Smith Wealth Management serves individuals, families, trusts, foundations, endowments, and retirement plans, providing customized investment management and financial planning. The firm employs a long-term, buy-and-hold strategy for equities combined with tactical fixed-income adjustments, serving clients including senior corporate executives and heirs.

Wealth management Real estate investing Executive
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Mitchell H

Series 63, Series 65

Charlotte, NC

Ameriprise

Mitchell Hodgkiss is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 27 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Pi Kappa Alpha KK Alumni Association. Ameriprise offers retirement-income planning services primarily for individuals nearing or in retirement with significant investable assets, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to provide tailored, non-discretionary recommendations delivered through a centralized consulting team.

Retirement income strategy Income planning Social Security optimization Retirement withdrawal strategies Approaching retirement
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Andrew D

Series 65

Charlotte, NC

Lake Effect Wealth LLC

Andrew Driscoll is a financial advisor at Lake Effect Wealth LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 65 designation with six years of industry experience. He previously worked at Grandview Analytics from 2015 to 2019 before founding Lake Effect Wealth, where he has been the sole advisor since 2019. Lake Effect Wealth serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as corporations and businesses, offering discretionary portfolio management alongside project-based and comprehensive financial planning. The firm employs a passive investment strategy based on Modern Portfolio Theory, incorporating low-turnover, tax-aware portfolio construction, and distinguishes itself by providing business planning and employee benefits optimization services uncommon among independent solo advisers.

Business ownership considerations Cash flow / budgeting College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Retirement income strategy Founder/Business Owner

Kenneth M

Series 63, Series 66

Cincinnati, OH

Empower Advisory Group

Ken Mason is an Executive Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2025. In this capacity, he works closely with clients to develop wealth strategies that incorporate their workplace benefits, aiming to support them in pursuing their financial goals. Ken emphasizes building trust through a consultative approach, ensuring clients receive personalized and understandable financial plans. He is committed to helping clients achieve peace of mind by focusing on what matters most to them. Specific details about his education, credentials, or personal interests were not provided.

Wealth management Equity Recipients (RS/RSU, SOP, ESPP) Exec comp design Retirement income strategy Income planning Executive Consultant
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Lambros V

Series 63, Series 65

Poughkeepsie, NY

Merrill

Lambros Violaris is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing 30 years of experience in assisting individuals and institutions with wealth management and income generation. His client focus areas include college education planning, divorce transition planning, executive compensation, institutional investment consulting, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, women and wealth, sports and entertainment, individual and corporate investment strategy, and retirement income. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a Bachelor's Degree from Bob Jones University. Outside of his professional work, Lambros enjoys adventure sports, baseball, biking, chess, drawing and sketching, hiking, spending time with his family, traveling, and watching movies.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Divorce financial planning Exec comp design Retirement income strategy Active portfolio management Women's Finance
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Todd C

Series 63, Series 65

Lake Oswego, OR

Executive Investment Services, LLC

Todd Caudle is a financial advisor at Executive Investment Services, LLC with 36 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Executive Investment Services since 2009, as well as at Independent Financial Group during overlapping periods. Caudle is an officer and principal of Medical Professionals Financial Group, a marketing entity within the investment channel. Executive Investment Services provides asset management and financial planning to individual clients, including high-net-worth households, and consulting for small- and medium-sized businesses. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management with strategic and tactical asset allocation, and integrates investment management with insurance and executive-benefit services.

Private / alternative investments Business exit / sale strategy Founder/Business Owner Executive

James V

Series 66

Stuart, FL

Fidelity

James Van Nice is a Benefits & Planning Consultant specializing in Executive Services. In this role, he partners with executives to help them understand their employer benefits and develop plans to work towards their financial goals. James has professional experience as an Investment Solutions Representative III at Fidelity Investments from 2023 to 2025 and as an Investment Solutions Representative II at Fidelity Investments from 2022 to 2023. Prior to that, he worked at Merrill Lynch as an Investment Solutions Representative I from 2021 to 2022 and as a Financial Advisor from 2018 to 2019. Outside of his professional work, James engages in fishing, fitness, golf, running, and volunteering.

Exec comp design Liquidity event planning Startup equity planning Executive

Seth A

Series 66

Kennesaw, GA

Edward Jones

Seth Austin is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Kennesaw, GA, holding a Series 66 credential with three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he was involved with several organizations including Orange Cone Productions and served as owner of CrazyLegs Creative Group, a marketing agency. He is also engaged in medical health navigation on a consulting basis. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients, including both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth households. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, supported by a nationwide network of advisors and branch offices.

Charitable giving & philanthropy Equity Recipients (RS/RSU, SOP, ESPP) Business ownership considerations Exec comp design Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Executive Technology Professional
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Sarah C

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Boston, MA

Santander Securities LLC

Sarah Currier Barrella is a CFP® professional with 26 years of experience in financial advisory services. She currently works at Santander Securities LLC and Santander Bank, NA, having previously held positions at TD Bank and Citizens Securities, Inc. Barrella is based in Boston, MA. Santander Securities LLC serves a broad retail client base with approximately $3.14 billion in regulatory assets under management across 10,800 client relationships. The firm offers investment advisory services, portfolio management through wrap-fee programs, and financial planning, operating both as a registered investment adviser and a FINRA-registered broker-dealer.

ESG / Sustainable investing Tax-loss harvesting General retirement planning Income planning Founder/Business Owner
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Elanna G

CFP®, Series 66

Cleveland, OH

Cambridge Investment Research Advisors

Elanna Gould is a CFP® professional with six years of experience, currently advising at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors in Cleveland, OH. Her background includes roles at PepsiCo and The Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Center, as well as academic experience at The Ohio State University. She is also an independent insurance agent for various companies. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a broad client base, including individuals, retirement plans, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services through a network of independent professionals. The firm provides a range of portfolio management options, proprietary and third-party strategies, and various custody platforms tailored to client objectives.

Wealth management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Retirement income strategy Annuities Self-Employed
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Ethan S

CFP®, Series 65

Auburn Hills, MI

Plante Moran FInancial Advisors

Ethan Siekkinen is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with Plante Moran Financial Advisors. He has one year of industry experience and previously worked at J Wilson Wealth Management. Outside of financial advising, he has experience in the lawn care business with Rizzo Lawn Care. Plante Moran Financial Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm provides investment advisory, financial planning, and estate-planning services, utilizing a range of investment strategies and managing both discretionary and non-discretionary assets.

Options & derivatives strategies Private / alternative investments Concentrated stock management Wealth management Executive Founder/Business Owner
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Jace H

CFP®, Series 63, Series 66

Rockwall, TX

Rockwall Wealth Management

Jace Hart is a CFP® with nine years of industry experience and currently serves as a financial advisor at Rockwall Wealth Management. His prior experience includes roles at Leo Wealth, LPL Financial, and Fidelity Brokerage Services. Rockwall Wealth Management provides portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm emphasizes diversified, low-cost ETF model portfolios with a focus on tax efficiency, liquidity, and systematic macro tilts, offering both traditional and advanced investment strategies tailored to client objectives.

Active portfolio management Options & derivatives strategies Private / alternative investments Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Retirement income strategy
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Jeffrey M

CFP®, ChFC®, Series 66

Greenville, DE

Investment Management & Planning LLC

Jeffrey Macdonald is a CFP® and ChFC® with 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Investment Management & Planning LLC since 2010 and is also affiliated with LPL Financial LLC. Investment Management & Planning LLC provides fee-based investment advisory and comprehensive financial planning primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients, offering portfolio management on both discretionary and non-discretionary bases. The firm emphasizes ongoing account supervision and individualized asset allocation, often utilizing LPL-sponsored platforms and model portfolios.

General retirement planning Business succession planning Tax strategies for small businesses Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Retired Mid-Career Professionals Established Professionals

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