Michael Zotto is a financial advisor with Zone Investment Management, LLC in New Bern, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 27 years of industry experience. Prior to founding his current firm in 2021, he worked at Jarred Bunch Consulting, LLC, INVST, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC. Zone Investment Management is an independent registered investment adviser serving individual and high-net-worth clients with ongoing portfolio management. The firm employs a variety of analytical methods and offers investment solutions including insurance products, equities, and exchange-traded funds, managing accounts on both discretionary and non-discretionary bases.

Paul Scavuzzo is the sole advisor at PJ Scavuzzo, Inc., an independent firm based in New Bern, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 44 years of industry experience. He has led PJ Scavuzzo, Inc. since 2009. PJ Scavuzzo, Inc. provides discretionary portfolio management and investment advice to a range of clients including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm employs a broad and active investment strategy that includes fundamental and technical analysis, options transactions, margin trading, and short sales, tailoring portfolios to each client’s investment objectives and risk tolerance.

Deborah Tayloe is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with 21 years of industry experience. She is the principal of Tayloe Financial Services, LLC, an independent firm she has led since 2007. Prior to founding her firm, she worked at Linsco/Private Ledger Corp. In addition to financial advising, she provides income tax preparation services for individuals and couples through her firm. Tayloe Financial Services serves individual clients with discretionary portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning—including Social Security retirement reviews—and basic tax return preparation. The firm employs a fundamental analysis investment approach focused on long-term holdings, broad diversification, and client education.

John Noto is a financial advisor at Noto Capital with 26 years of industry experience. He has managed Noto Capital Management since 2002. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations. Noto Capital is an independent advisory firm serving individuals, trusts, and corporations with discretionary portfolio management. The firm emphasizes publicly traded securities with a total-return focus, employing a buy-and-hold strategy centered on dividend growth and price appreciation while incorporating political-risk analysis in its investment process.

David Blain is a CFA® charterholder and holds a Series 65 license, with 22 years of experience in the financial advisory industry. He has been with BlueSky Wealth Advisors, LLC (formerly D.L. BLAIN & CO., LLC) since 1999. Outside of his advisory work, he owns Swift Creek Plantation LLC, a real estate holding and development company in New Bern, NC. BlueSky Wealth Advisors primarily serves individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals, as well as trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm manages approximately $850 million in discretionary client assets and focuses on strategic asset allocation with an emphasis on low-cost, tax-efficient investments, complemented by selective use of active managers.

Christie Bonacci is a financial advisor at BlueSky Wealth Advisors, LLC with six years of industry experience. She holds the PFS™ and Series 65 credentials. Prior to joining BlueSky in 2019, Christie worked at Deloitte & Touche, LLC and Marc Jessup Insurance Services. She is also an adjunct professor at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, where she teaches audit and assurance. BlueSky Wealth Advisors provides comprehensive financial planning and discretionary investment management primarily to individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals, as well as trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm manages approximately $850 million in discretionary client assets and employs a strategic asset allocation approach with a focus on low-cost, tax-efficient investments.

John Staton is a CFP® professional at BlueSky Wealth Advisors, LLC with two years of industry experience. Before joining BlueSky, he served in the United States Navy, Naval Special Warfare for 12 years and held roles at Equitable Advisors LLC, Atlas Polymer Engineering LLC, Carbon Arc, and Uber. BlueSky Wealth Advisors provides comprehensive financial planning and discretionary investment management primarily to individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals, as well as trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm manages approximately $850 million in discretionary client assets, focusing on strategic asset allocation with a mix of low-cost, tax-efficient investments and selective active management.

Tara Hughes is a financial advisor at Bluesky Wealth Advisors, LLC with 10 years of industry experience. She holds the PFS™ designation and Series 65 license. Prior to joining Bluesky Wealth Advisors in 2022, she worked at The Epiphany School of Global Studies and Altrius Capital Management. Bluesky Wealth Advisors serves individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals, as well as trusts, estates, and business entities, managing approximately $850 million in discretionary client assets. The firm emphasizes strategic asset allocation with a focus on low-cost, tax-efficient investments and offers comprehensive financial planning alongside discretionary investment management.

Ayasha Jones is a financial advisor at Bluesky Wealth Advisors, LLC in New Bern, NC, holding a Series 65 designation with seven years of industry experience. She has been with Bluesky Wealth Advisors since 2015. Bluesky Wealth Advisors provides advisory services primarily to individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals, as well as trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm manages approximately $850 million in discretionary client assets and offers comprehensive financial planning, discretionary investment management, and select tax preparation services.

Lowell Taylor is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in New Bern, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with three years of industry experience. He has held roles at Members Trust Company, SECU Life Insurance Company, SECU Brokerage Services, and State Employees' Credit Union since 2022. In addition to his advisory work, he serves as a Financial Services Officer and life insurance agent within the State Employees' Credit Union system. Credit Union Investment Services serves primarily individual investors in North Carolina, offering 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, with salaried advisers providing recommendations while clients retain control of investment decisions.

Hillary Cross is a financial advisor at Cooper McManus with 16 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Cambridge Investment Research, Cooper Financial Group, and Securities America Inc. Outside of her advisory role, she owns a business focused on insurance, benefits, and human resources. Cooper McManus provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and businesses. The firm employs a tailored investment process that incorporates fundamental analysis and a variety of strategies and products, managing approximately $2.56 billion in discretionary assets.

Daniel Murphy is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network based in New Bern, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has 29 years of industry experience. Murphy has been with Commonwealth since 2009 and has managed Murphy Matza Wealth Management since 2013. He also serves as an elected Town Commissioner for Trent Woods, NC. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their retail and institutional clients. The firm provides advisory programs, wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and back-office support, with a range of discretionary model portfolios and customizable investment solutions.

Adam Persky is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (New York Life) based in New Bern, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 22 years of industry experience. He has been associated with Eagle Strategies since 2014 and operates Legacy Private Client Services LLC. Outside of his advisory work, Persky serves on the boards of several local non-profits, including the Eastern Carolina Aviation Heritage Foundation and the New Bern Military Alliance, and volunteers as a pilot with the Civil Air Patrol. Eagle Strategies LLC provides financial planning, investment advisory, and retirement plan consulting services to individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm emphasizes client-directed solutions and utilizes third-party managers and model portfolios, operating as an indirect subsidiary of New York Life.

Shannon Hudson is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in New Bern, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and six years of industry experience. Prior to joining Truist Advisory Services in 2021, Hudson worked at Bbtsec and BB&T. Truist Advisory Services is a large SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, corporations, retirement plans, and charitable organizations. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary solutions combining firm-level model portfolios, third-party managers, and advisor-led asset allocation and fund monitoring.

Elevia Hearne is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 17 years of industry experience. She has worked at Commonwealth Financial Network since 2011 and at Murphy Matza Wealth Management from 2013 to present. Hearne also engages in fixed insurance sales on a limited basis. Commonwealth Financial Network serves a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their clients, offering a variety of advisory programs and services. The firm provides back-office support, technology, investment management, and compliance services to affiliated advisors who deliver customized portfolio solutions under Commonwealth’s supervision.

Taylor Whitford is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 18 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Truist Advisory Services since 2021, following prior roles at Bb&T Securities and BB&T Investment Services. Outside of his advisory work, he is a co-owner of a boat slip rental business in Beaufort, North Carolina. Truist Advisory Services is a large SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, corporations, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment solutions, combining model portfolios, third-party managers, and advisor-led asset allocation, supported by proprietary research and a manager-of-managers program.

Susan Arnett is a CFP® professional with eight years of experience in the financial services industry. She is currently with Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC and has previously worked at firms including Choreo, LLC and RSM US Wealth Management LLC. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC is an SEC-registered enterprise advisory firm serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm employs a strategic investment process combining passive and active managers, supported by quantitative and fundamental research, and offers a range of financial planning, asset management, and specialized retirement consulting services.

Joseph Matza Jr. is a CFP® professional with 28 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network in New Bern, NC. He has been with Commonwealth since 2009 and leads Murphy Matza Wealth Management since 2013. Outside of his advisory work, he is a co-owner of The MME Group, Inc. and engages in Medicare product referrals. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser that supports a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors with a range of advisory programs and services, including wealth management and retirement plan consulting. The firm provides operations, technology, investment management, compliance, and practice-management support while allowing advisors discretion in constructing client portfolios from diverse securities and insurance products.

Michelle Neuhalfen is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. She holds a Series 66 designation and has six years of industry experience. She has worked with Bankers Life Securities since 2019 and Bankers Life & Casualty since 2016, where she also serves as a Unit Sales Manager responsible for recruiting and training insurance agents. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. provides discretionary portfolio management and investment consulting primarily to mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals, focusing on customized asset allocation, tax efficiency, and ongoing portfolio management.

James Frevola is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network in New Bern, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has three years of industry experience. Prior to his advisory career, he served in the United States Navy for seven years. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their retail and institutional clients. The firm provides a range of advisory programs and services, including discretionary model portfolios, personalized indexing, and retirement plan consulting, supported by extensive operations, technology, and compliance infrastructure.