Catherine Zieman

Dustin Poteat is a financial advisor at Gradient Advisors, LLC with a Series 65 designation and one year of industry experience. He has a background in manufacturing operations and analytics consulting at Crane Resistoflex and is also involved with Premier Insurance Services, Inc. outside of his advisory role. Gradient Advisors, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and corporations. The firm supports a large network of advisors and employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to tailor investment strategies, typically delivering portfolio services on a non-discretionary basis.

Ryan West is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has seven years of industry experience, including roles at Members Trust Company and State Employees' Credit Union. Outside of his financial career, West serves as a financial assistant at East Marion Baptist Church, managing accounts payable, budgeting, and bank reconciliation. Credit Union Investment Services primarily serves individual investors in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, retirement and financial planning, and a wrap-fee program. The firm focuses on recommending low-cost, mostly index-based mutual funds and ETFs, fixed-income products, and supports a goals-based, long-term planning approach.

Cassandra Smith is a CFP® with 16 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Credit Union Investment Services. She has held roles with Members Trust Company, Secu Life Insurance Company, and State Employees’ Credit Union. In addition to her advisory work, she acts as a financial advisory services specialist with State Employees’ Credit Union. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management and financial planning with a focus on low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs. The firm operates as a subsidiary of State Employees’ Credit Union and manages over $3 billion in advisory assets.

Nathan Workman is a Series 65-credentialed advisor with two years of industry experience. He is affiliated with CS Planning Corp and Elmberry Wealth Management, Inc. Outside of financial advising, Nathan is a practicing attorney specializing in estate planning and asset protection at Radius Law Group. CS Planning Corp, operating as Vertical Ascent Wealth Management, provides investment supervisory, portfolio management, consulting, and financial planning services to a diverse client base including individuals, businesses, retirement plans, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a multi-advisor model with bespoke asset allocation strategies and ongoing portfolio monitoring.

Kelly Childs is a financial advisor at Credit Union Investment Services with three years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at several related financial institutions, including State Employees' Credit Union since 2009 and Members Trust Company since 2014. Outside of her advisory work, Childs owns a small business selling wildflower honey and operates a seasonal food concessions business at local festivals. Credit Union Investment Services serves individual investors and trust clients in North Carolina, providing non-discretionary portfolio management, retirement and financial planning, and a wrap-fee program. The firm emphasizes low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs, fixed-income products, and a goals-based, long-term planning approach.

Douglas Beam is a financial advisor at Creative Financial Designs, Inc. with 13 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at LPL Financial, LLC from 2014 to 2017. Beam is also involved in independent insurance sales related to investments in Morganton, NC. Creative Financial Designs serves individual, charitable, corporate, and retirement plan clients through discretionary and non-discretionary investment management and financial planning. The firm employs asset-class model allocations informed by third-party research and offers a range of strategies including Biblical Responsible Investing, with various billing arrangements and specialized management programs.