James Beam

Joseph Leonard is a financial advisor with Leonard Wealth Management, LLC in Lincolnton, NC, holding a Series 63 license and 24 years of industry experience. He previously worked at AE Wealth Management, Foundation For Financial Education, Formula Folio Investments, and Retirement Wealth Advisors. Outside of advising, he provides trumpet lessons and performances through his Cain Leonard Trumpet Studio and offers adult education on retirement planning. Leonard Wealth Management, LLC is an independent registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, charities, and pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm provides comprehensive financial planning, hourly consulting, estate-settlement assistance, and discretionary portfolio management, using a combination of model portfolios, third-party advisors, and various portfolio construction techniques.

Ryan Hammond is the principal of Hammond Wealth Partners in Gastonia, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has experience with firms including Wells Fargo, The Vanguard Group, and Amplified Planning. Hammond has also held multiple roles at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Gaston College. Hammond Wealth Partners is a fee-only, fiduciary investment advisory firm serving primarily individuals and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and quantitative analysis to implement diversified, tax-efficient investment strategies and offers comprehensive financial planning alongside asset-based management.

Matthew Kale is a financial advisor with Extraordinary Kale LLC, holding a Series 65 designation. He is based in Lincolnton, North Carolina. Outside of his advisory role, he maintains an unrelated executive position in a separate business. Extraordinary Kale LLC provides advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and business entities, offering asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan rollover advice. The firm uses a primarily value-oriented, long-term investment approach combined with tactical and strategic allocation techniques, incorporating fundamental and technical analysis as well as derivative strategies when appropriate.

Bre Ann Weaver is a financial advisor at Gragg Financial with a Series 65 designation and has been in the industry since 2024. Prior to joining Gragg Financial, she worked at Truist Bank for 11 years. Gragg Financial provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, pension and profit-sharing plans, and corporations. The firm employs a value-driven investment philosophy focused on undervalued companies with strong fundamentals and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management alongside tax and accounting services.

Jason Gragg is a financial advisor at Gragg Financial with eight years of industry experience. He holds the PFS™ designation and Series 65 license. Prior to his current role, he worked at CPS Investment Advisors from 2017 to 2025. Gragg Financial provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, pension and profit-sharing plans, and corporations. The firm follows a value-driven investment philosophy and combines its advisory services with Certified Public Accounting, offering income tax and accounting services alongside investment management.

Robert Pitt Jr. is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding a Series 63 designation and 42 years of industry experience. He has been with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. since 1990 and worked at Antrim from 2006 to 2022. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as trustee for his parents' trust, managing its investments. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individual investors, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, and institutional entities. The firm emphasizes non-discretionary financial planning and investment consulting, utilizing firm research and asset-allocation analysis to develop tailored recommendations.