Michael Bookhardt is the managing member of Affluence Advisory LLC in Mount Holly, NC, with two years of industry experience. Prior to founding Affluence Advisory in 2023, he worked at The Vanguard Group from 2021 to 2022. He is also the managing member of SIB General Contractors LLC, a general business he has been involved with since 2006. Affluence Advisory LLC provides discretionary investment supervisory services to individuals, businesses, trusts, foundations, and other charitable entities. The firm builds individualized portfolios using low-cost, passively managed mutual funds and ETFs, applying asset-allocation strategies based on modern portfolio theory and a long-term equity orientation.

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.

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.

John Zarinsky is a CFP® with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at SafeBridge LLC since 2016. His prior roles include positions at Horter Investment Management, LLC and AE Wealth Management, LLC, as well as running Zarinsky Wealth Management. He holds a license to sell life insurance and annuities but does not receive commissions from these products. SafeBridge primarily serves individuals and families nearing or in retirement, focusing on retirement income planning and tax-aware advice. The firm employs a long-term, retirement-oriented investment approach using low-cost broad-market index ETFs and high-quality fixed income, with integrated tax planning and optional tax-return preparation as part of its services.

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.

Gary 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 joining Gragg Financial, he worked at CPS Investment Advisors from 2017 to 2025. Outside of his advisory role, he is the owner of Revo Wifi LLC. 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 offers portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services, combining investment advisory with traditional income tax and accounting services.

Andrew Watkins is a financial advisor with Principal Advised Services in Denver, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 15 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Advisors and Wells Fargo Clearing. He leads a team providing one-on-one investment advice to retirement plan participants eligible for distributions. Principal Advised Services offers investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, combining third-party and proprietary methodologies. The firm operates within the Principal Financial Group family, providing access to affiliated products and integrated services.

Richard Reber is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 17 years of industry experience. He is affiliated with LPL Financial and has previously worked at Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley Private Bank. In addition to his advisory work, he is the author of "How to Talk to Your Partner About Money and Not Kill Each Other." LPL Financial provides advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, institutions, and high-net-worth households. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management options supported by an in-house research team and a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Patrick Wittekind is a financial advisor with Stifel Independent Advisors, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 37 years of industry experience. He has been with Stifel Independent Advisors since 2004 and has also been self-employed since 2003. Stifel Independent Advisors serves a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, trusts, and public entities, offering both brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm uses a collaborative planning process with proprietary modeling to tailor asset allocation recommendations and provides a range of financial services depending on client needs.

Ashlie Link is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and nine years of industry experience. She has worked at Members Trust Company since 2017 and has been affiliated with Credit Union Investment Services and SECU Life Insurance Company since 2016. In addition to her advisory roles, she serves as Treasurer for the Parent Association of Long Shoals Wesleyan Academy. 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.

Bruce Putnam is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 21 years of industry experience. He has also been associated with LPL Financial since 2011 and worked at Cornerstone Financial Advisors from 2011 to 2018. Outside of advising, he has held roles related to fixed insurance and maintains a real estate license. Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC is an SEC-registered enterprise RIA serving individuals, small businesses, retirement plans, charities, and estates. The firm offers a range of services including asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing model portfolios, third-party managers, and technology platforms to manage client allocations.

Vanessa Harris is a financial advisor with Focus Financial and holds Series 65 and Series 66 licenses. She has experience working at Focus Financial since 2024 and previously worked at Mass Mutual and Goosehead Insurance Agency. Outside of her advisory role, she is also an Enrolled Agent involved in tax and financial plan review and analysis. Focus Financial Network, Inc. is an enterprise investment adviser managing approximately $6.3 billion through a network of 118 advisors. The firm serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and corporate clients, offering a range of managed accounts, retirement plan consulting, and financial planning services.

Timothy Moore is a financial advisor with Principal Advised Services, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 18 years of industry experience. He previously worked at The Vanguard Group for 18 years before joining Principal Life Insurance and Principal Securities Inc. in 2025. Principal Advised Services provides investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, offering both non-discretionary recommendations and a discretionary, wrap-fee investment management program called SimpleInvest. The firm combines third-party methodologies with proprietary models and operates within the Principal Financial Group family, enabling access to affiliated products and services.

Mitchell Roth is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at LPL Financial, Equitable Advisors, Axa Advisors, and Ameriprise Financial Services. Outside of his advisory work, he has experience as a landlord managing a rental property. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice primarily to retail investors and employer-sponsored retirement plan participants. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach using proprietary models to set personalized asset allocations, largely utilizing Vanguard funds and ETFs.

James Beam is a financial advisor at Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 credentials. Prior to joining Capital Investment Advisory Services, he worked at Sollinda Capital Management LLC and Capital Investment Group, Inc. Beam serves as chairman of the Cherryville ABC Board of Directors, overseeing operations related to the controlled sale of spirits. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of services including separately managed accounts, third-party manager referrals, private-label model portfolios, and financial planning, implementing investment strategies through discretionary mandates or model portfolios with ongoing monitoring.

Tyler Reller is a CFP® with seven years of industry experience, currently serving as a retirement consultant at Principal Advised Services. His career includes roles at Principal Life Insurance Co, Principal Financial Services, Principal Securities Inc, and Wells Fargo Clearing Services. He also holds a financial counselor position at Principal Bank, focusing on bank deposit product sales. Principal Advised Services provides investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, offering both non-discretionary recommendations and a discretionary investment management program called SimpleInvest. The firm integrates third-party tools with proprietary models and operates within the Principal Financial Group family, allowing access to affiliated products and services.

Jason Craig is a financial advisor with Prospera Financial Services, Inc. in Mount Holly, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and totaling 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Prospera Financial Services since 2013. Prospera Financial Services is an enterprise-scale adviser and dually registered broker-dealer serving individuals, corporate and charitable entities, and retirement plans. The firm manages approximately $12.4 billion through about 207 advisors across roughly 140 offices, offering investment advisory and financial planning services through multiple delivery vehicles and a combination of firm models, third-party sub-advisers, and customizable allocations.

Natalia Ruiz is a financial advisor with Principal Advised Services, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and eight years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing Services and Wells Fargo Bank. She currently serves as a retirement consultant, providing one-on-one investment advice to retirement plan participants. Principal Advised Services delivers investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, offering both non-discretionary recommendations and a discretionary investment management program called SimpleInvest. The firm combines third-party and proprietary methodologies and operates within the Principal Financial Group family, integrating bank products and affiliated trading services.

Deana Spainhour is a financial advisor with Credit Union Investment Services in Lincolnton, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 10 years of industry experience. She has worked with Members Trust Company, SECU Brokerage Services, SECU Life Insurance Company, and State Employees’ Credit Union. Outside of her advisory roles, she is a co-owner of a restaurant business in Lincolnton. 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.