John Brandon

Larry Grogan is the principal of GROGAN Advisory Services, LLC, an independent advisory firm based in Johnson City, TN. He holds the Series 66 designation and has 26 years of industry experience, including 23 years with his current firm. Outside of his advisory work, he is an author, public speaker, and founder of a mental-health nonprofit. GROGAN Advisory Services primarily serves individual clients, including many high-net-worth individuals, as well as businesses, charities, and small pension plans. The firm provides wealth management services with a conservative investment approach, utilizing fundamental analysis and third-party research, and coordinates with specialist managers for alternative investments when appropriate.

Matthew Albritton is a financial advisor at Valor Financial Planning in Johnson City, TN, holding a Series 65 designation with two years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Ferguson Wealth Management and American Values Investments. Valor Financial Planning is an independent, fee-only registered investment adviser serving primarily individual clients, as well as charitable organizations and businesses. The firm emphasizes long-term, passive portfolio construction with a focus on asset allocation and low-cost mutual funds and ETFs, offering various engagement formats including subscription-style retainers and specialized support for retirement-plan advice and student loan repayment.

Roy Castillo is a CFP® with 32 years of industry experience. He has been with Frontsight Wealth Advisors, LLC since 2014 and also operates RLC Financial Services, providing tax services and insurance sales through his sole proprietorship. Frontsight Wealth Advisors, LLC offers portfolio management and financial planning primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, managing approximately $27.9 million across about 52 accounts. The firm creates client-specific investment plans using a combination of fundamental, technical, charting, and quantitative analysis, with strategies ranging from long-term buy-and-hold to short-term trading.

Justin Lester is a CFP® with 16 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Allied Investments in Johnson City, TN. He previously worked for Aldebaran Financial Inc. for 19 years. In addition to his advisory role, Lester provides professional trustee and executor services, managing assets within trusts and estates. Allied Investments offers discretionary investment management, financial planning, and tax preparation services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, and corporations. The firm utilizes a long-term investment approach with a focus on exchange-traded funds and low-cost mutual funds, incorporating options and derivative strategies that are uncommon among peers.

For 20 years, I built a career in banking — 17 of those at Eastman Credit Union in East Tennessee, where I helped families with lending, banking, and their first steps toward investing. In 2018, I discovered Financial Independence, and it changed everything. I restructured our finances, optimized our tax strategy, and built toward FI while still working full time. When we got there, I left banking to build the advisory firm I wish I'd had along the way. I earned my CFP® and became an IRS Enrolled Agent because I wanted to bring financial planning and tax expertise together under one roof. I built OptimalPath Advisors as a fee-only, flat-fee firm because I believe your advisor's cost should reflect the work — not the size of your portfolio. My approach is advice-first and fiduciary. Every client starts with a comprehensive financial plan that includes a Financial Independence Score — a single, clear number (inspired by pension-style funded ratios) that tells you exactly how on track you are. No abstract Monte Carlo probabilities. Just a real number you can act on. From there, you choose the level of ongoing support that fits. Navigator clients get year-round planning, quarterly check-ins, and tax preparation included — while keeping control of their own investments. Summit clients get everything in Navigator plus hands-on investment management, rebalancing, and tax-loss harvesting. Both tiers include tax prep at no extra cost. I work best with FI-minded professionals — DIY investors, early retirees, equity comp recipients, and busy families who want clear direction without product sales, commissions, or percentage-of-assets fees. I live in East Tennessee with my wife, Amanda, and our two dogs, Molly and Peach. We spend as much time as possible outdoors — in the mountains, on trails, and visiting National Parks across the country. Whether you're building toward FI, navigating an early retirement transition, or figuring out what comes next after hitting your number, I'm here to help you move forward — intentionally and in control.