Christina McConnell, CRC®, ADPA™
Managing Partner
*Forbes 2026 Best-in-State Top Women Wealth Advisors
Christina became an advisor because she loves helping people. Maintaining the relationships she's developed during her career has been her joy and honor. With thirty-two years in the financial industry, Christina started her career as an assistant at Wachovia’s trading desk. After nearly five years, she transitioned to an advisory role, taking over a small book of clients in a small town, and she has never looked back.
Her favorite part of working with clients is getting to know them and their families, helping them retire, and seeing them enjoy this new chapter in their lives.
As a financial advisor, Christina specializes in comprehensive retirement planning and asset allocation analysis, offering a variety of products and financial services. She is dedicated to building long-term relationships with clients to help them pursue their financial goals and lifetime dreams.
In addition to her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from East Carolina University, Christina holds Series 7, 24, 63, and 65 registrations through LPL Financial, as well as life and health insurance licenses .
Originally from Davis, NC, a small community on the coast, Christina now resides in Mooresville, NC, with her three children and two dogs. In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano, reading, walking her Golden Retrievers Bruce and Holly, and exercising.
Christina is active in her community and is an advocate for adoption and mental health. She supports Flourish Kenya, The Kilgoris Project, and St. Jude. She also fosters for the Golden Retriever Rescue Club of Charlotte and Piedmont Animal Rescue.
Jay Tillman, CPWA®, CIMA®, CFP®, RICP®, CLU®
Managing Partner
Becoming a financial advisor has enabled Jay to fulfill his mission of helping people from all walks of life. His guiding principle is to support individuals and their families in pursuing their goals, whatever they may be, by sharing the knowledge, wisdom, and guidance he has acquired throughout his career.
Jay specializes in individualized planning, which requires careful attention to detail, genuinely listening, and a deep understanding of his client’s goals. With 17 years of experience in the financial services industry and numerous professional certifications, Jay offers exclusive, comprehensive planning for each client.
A Nova Southeastern University graduate with a Master of Business Administration degree and a Bachelor of Science in Finance, Jay also attended the Chicago Booth School of Business, Yale School of Management, and The American College of Financial Services for executive and advanced education. He holds series 3, 7, 9, 10, 63, and 66 registrations through LPL Financial and life, health, medical, and supplemental long-term care insurance licenses (NC).
Raised in West Palm Beach, FL, Jay currently lives in Huntersville, NC, with his wife, two sons, and their dog. He enjoys spending quality time with his family and traveling in his free time. His hobbies include reading a range of thought-provoking literature and staying fit with spinning, soccer, and basketball.
Jay is actively involved in his community, volunteering at Habitat for Humanity Charlotte, where he serves on the Advocacy Board of Directors, and at the United Methodist Church of Huntersville, NC, where he serves on the Investment Committee.
Laura Long, CRPC™, AWMA™, MBA
Managing Partner
*Forbes 2026 Best-in-State Top Women Wealth Advisors
Laura is a dedicated financial advisor, passionate about sharing knowledge and empowering others to make informed decisions about their future. She enjoys working alongside families, helping them build and preserve generational wealth. Her favorite part of the job is earning clients’ trust by consistently delivering excellent service.
With over 15 years of advising and 22 years in the financial services industry, Laura brings extensive knowledge, expertise, and professionalism to our practice. Before joining the team, Laura was a sales manager, leading a financial services firm’s business development, sales, and daily operations.
It was that experience that instilled a passion in her to help others within all aspects of financial services, both the assets and liabilities side of the balance sheet. Laura realized that by offering holistic planning that involved the whole financial picture, she could bring more value to her clients, fostering long-term relationships and financial success. She is an invaluable team member.
Laura’s academic achievements include a Master of Business Administration degree in Business from the University of West Florida and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Statistics from Miami University. She also holds series 6, 7, 24, and 65 licenses through LPL Financial.
Originally from Buffalo, NY, she now lives in Denver, NC, with her husband, two children, and their dog. In her free time, she enjoys paddleboarding, snow and water skiing, and reading, all of which help her relax and unwind. Laura is also an active member of Temple Kol Tikvah.
Randi Derene
Financial Consultant
Randi is a valued member of our team and was recently promoted to Financial Consultant, a role that reflects her dedication to serving clients and her commitment to professional growth. She now holds her Series 7 and 66 licenses (held through LPL Financial) , as well as Life and Health insurance licenses, equipping her to provide even more comprehensive support.
What Randi cherishes most about collaborating with clients is the joy of simplifying their lives and making a meaningful difference. She brings five years of financial industry experience and over a decade in the municipal sector, where she supported town executives, volunteers, and residents. Her high level of customer support remains a significant asset to our team.
Randi earned a Bachelor of Science from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. She lives in Mooresville, NC with her husband and enjoys spending time with her family, including her three adult sons and daughter-in-law. In her free time, she loves hiking, paddle boarding, reading, and playing Mahjong with friends. She is also an active member of Temple Kol Tikvah.
Jake Baumann
Client Services Associate
Jake is one of our new members of the team. He is focused on helping our clients by providing dedicated support and ensuring all their questions are answered promptly. Being a recent graduate from the University of South Carolina and obtaining his bachelor’s degree from the Darla Moore School of Business in finance, Jake has a strong passion for financial services. His passion stems from supporting clients in prior internships with financial advising firms and has had multiple mentors and professors who were financial advisors that helped him realize his career path and goals in life.
Jake currently holds his SIE through LPL Financial.
Born and raised in Charlotte, NC, Jake has strong local ties to the community, Including volunteering at the Charlotte Rescue Mission for over twelve years. Jake enjoys spending his free time hanging out with friends, playing pickleball, and going to live music events around the area.
Leon Rafou
CFO Strategist
Leon Rafou is a CFO Strategist for the LPL Financial Business Strategy Services team. He provides advisors with actionable insights based on financial analysis and strategic planning to help drive higher practice valuations. Leon has over 14 years of experience in the financial services industry including positions in Business Banking, Private Banking, and Wealth Management. Most recently, he served as a Wealth Management Banker with U.S. Bank and managed a high net worth book of business with several partners including Wealth Management Advisors and Wealth Strategists. Leon brings a great deal of industry experience with a focus on relationship management, financial planning, and analytical insight.
Leon received a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California. He holds his FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses through LPL Financial, and also maintains his California Life and Health Insurance designations.
Leon is originally from Detroit, Michigan and currently resides in West Bloomfield, Michigan, with his wife. In his free time, Leon likes to stay active by going to the gym and playing hockey. He also enjoys traveling and spending time at the beach. True to his Michigan roots, he is a diehard fan of the Michigan Wolverines and enjoys watching football and basketball primarily.
Deena Stewart
Administrative Consultant
Deena has more than 19 years of experience in the financial services industry and has served in a multitude of roles. She came back to LPL Financial (LPL) as an Admin Consultant in 2023 but also worked on LPL’s Service Team and in Onboarding from 2010-2015.
Deena has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from American Intercontinental University. She has lived in 5 states and is currently loving life as a Chicagoan with her adult children, grandchildren and Bernedoodle. In her free time, you can find Deena weight training, hiking, dancing, decorating, training her dog, reading or travelling.
Alanna Toro
Senior Marketing Consultant
Alanna Toro is a Senior Marketing Consultant as part of LPL Financial's Business & Wealth Solutions’ Elite Strategy Marketing Team.
Alanna has worked in the financial services industry for over a decade and has extensive accomplishments in both digital and traditional marketing, project management, and event planning. Her expertise is comprised of producing web and social media content, creating corporate communications and presentations, planning corporate events, providing on-site management and coaching, and crafting innovative marketing strategies.
She was raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, and graduated Cum Laude from American University in Washington, D.C. with a B.A. in Visual Media. Alanna currently lives in Fort Mill, SC, with her husband, daughter, and their two dogs. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, attending sporting events (Go Birds!), concerts, and traveling to new and exciting cities.