Independent advisors focused on rsus / isos / nsos in the US

Sawyer Sams is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and part of the Smith Conkin Dixon Wealth Management Group. He and his team focus on building personalized wealth strategies for over 500 families across more than 40 states. Sawyer and his team employ a comprehensive planning approach utilizing Merrill's investment and planning resources along with Bank of America's capabilities in banking and lending to develop strategies tailored to clients' needs. Prior to joining Merrill, Sawyer worked for a wealth and investment management firm in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he gained experience leading the firm's investment committee, asset allocation strategy, and trading activities. He specializes in areas including family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. Sawyer is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), and a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He is a member of the CFA Society of East Tennessee. Sawyer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Furman University. He resides in Johnson City, Tennessee, where he is a member of First Christian Church and involved with the CFA Research Team at Milligan University. His personal interests include basketball, cooking, football, pickleball, and spending time with his family.

Carlos Castro is a CFP® with 18 years of industry experience. He is currently with Valtrion Capital Management, LLC, where he has worked since 2024. His prior roles include positions at Lincoln Financial Securities and USAA Investment Management. Valtrion Capital Management serves individual and high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and business plan sponsors by providing financial planning, retirement plan consulting, portfolio reviews, and discretionary investment management. The firm employs diversified asset allocation strategies and manages client assets on a discretionary basis tailored to risk tolerance and time horizons.

James Cowan is the sole advisor at Cowan Capital, an independent firm based in Foster City, CA. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 22 years of industry experience, including 18 years at Fisher Investments prior to founding Cowan Capital in 2023. Cowan Capital Advisors provides discretionary portfolio management and separate financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, non-profits, and small businesses. The firm focuses on diversified portfolios tailored to client needs, with a specialization in managing concentrated equity positions from employee stock compensation and a selective use of derivatives for defensive purposes.

Steven Underriter is a financial advisor at Freedom Financial Planning Solutions, LLC, holding a Series 65 designation with eight years of industry experience. He has worked part-time as an administrative employee and 5% owner at Capitol Defense Consulting, LLC since 2013 and provides subject matter expertise on Navy aircraft programs at Systems Planning & Analysis, Inc. since 2020. Freedom Financial Planning Solutions offers financial planning and portfolio management services to individual clients, employer plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm primarily uses passive investment strategies with diversified funds and ETFs, while also providing tailored models and oversight of outside managers, along with ancillary services such as personal tax preparation and student loan analysis.

Jared Fruth is a financial advisor at Northwest Asset Management with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at Securities America, Inc., KMS Financial Services, Inc., Oppenheimer Funds, and John Paul Mitchell Systems. Northwest Asset Management is a registered investment adviser managing approximately $3.6 billion for nearly 3,000 clients, including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, and corporations. The firm employs a customized, fiduciary approach using Modern Portfolio Theory and strategic asset allocation, combining fundamental and technical analysis to build diversified portfolios with periodic rebalancing.

Edwina Martin is a financial advisor at Waverly Advisors, LLC with two years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at 9258 Wealth Management for five years and Teradata Corp for eleven years. In addition to her advisory role, she serves as assistant director of tax planning at 9258 Tax and Planning. Waverly Advisors, LLC is an SEC-registered enterprise adviser serving individuals, corporations, retirement plans, and pooled investment vehicles. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and fiduciary services, employing a combination of centralized and customized investment strategies across traditional and alternative asset classes.

Craig Mcdaniel Jr. is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC in Columbia, SC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Capital Investment Group, Inc. and The McDaniel Corporation since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in life insurance sales and serves as an independent agent for annuities and related products. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers customized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, using a blend of analytical methods with ongoing portfolio monitoring.

David Hart is a financial advisor with Safeguard Investment Advisory Group, LLC, holding a Series 65 credential and 15 years of industry experience. He has worked with Safeguard since 2020 and previously held roles at LifePro Asset Management, LLC, Martin and Associates Insurance Services, Inc., and Martin Wealth Management, LLC. Hart is also a Certified Financial Fiduciary and volunteers as an instructor with the Foundation for Fiduciary Education (NACFF), providing unbiased fiduciary financial education. Safeguard Investment Advisory Group, LLC serves individual, high-net-worth, institutional, and business clients, offering discretionary portfolio management, access to third-party sub-advisers, and fee-based financial planning. The firm employs a fundamental-analysis investment process with a preferred horizon of two to ten years and manages over $600 million across approximately 1,800 client relationships.

Sarah Currier Barrella is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 26 years of industry experience. She is currently with Santander Securities LLC and Santander Bank, NA, having previously worked at TD Bank and Citizens Securities, Inc. Barrella holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Santander Securities LLC provides investment advisory and related services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, charitable organizations, retirement plans, and institutional clients. The firm offers wrap-fee advisory programs and financial planning services, delivering investment advice through the FMAX managed-account platform with discretionary portfolio management and ongoing suitability reviews.