The Meridian Group - RBC Wealth Management

Edward Link Jr

Managing Director - Financial Advisor, Senior Portfolio Manager - Portfolio Focus

Eddie has focused the majority of his 39-year career in the wealth management industry working directly with high-net-worth families, as well as the businesses and charitable organizations important to them. He is passionate about getting to know clients on a personal level and prides himself on working hard to help clients achieve their goals. As a co-founder of The Meridian Group, Eddie and his team focuses on providing customized wealth management advice, including investment management, wealth management planning, liability management and risk management, using a disciplined, process-based approach. He has been recognized by Forbes as a Best-In-State Wealth Advisor in Virginia in 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Additionally, The Meridian Group team has been recognized by Forbes as a Best-In-State Wealth Management Team in 2024 and 2025.

Prior to joining RBC Wealth Management, Eddie worked for UBS and previously at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, where he co-founded The Meridian Group in 2002. His experience also includes managing the equity desk of a regional bank, a securities analyst with a regional investment firm covering coal, railroads and electric utility industries, and a portfolio manager/analyst with a regionally based ultra-high-net-worth family office.

Eddie graduated from the University of Virginia in 1986, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. He grew up in Bristol, Tennessee, and has lived in Roanoke for more than 30 years. Eddie is active in the community, currently serving on the board of the Presbyterian Community Center. Eddie also currently serves as a career coach and mentor for American Corporate Partners Veterans Program. He advises active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces who will soon be transitioning to civilian life. Eddie previously served on the board of the Mill Mountain Theatre, The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and served as a volunteer with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and The West End Center. Outside of the office, he enjoys spending time in the great outdoors, playing tennis, fly fishing and skiing. Eddie has been married to his wife, Angie, for 35 years and has two adult daughters, Allison, who is also a member of The Meridian Group, and Meredith.

The 2021 Forbes "Best-In-State Wealth Advisors" award was announced February 2021. Data as of 6/30/2020. The award was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. The financial advisor does not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this award. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. This is not indicative of this financial advisor’s future performance. For more information: www.SHOOKresearch.com.

The 2023 Forbes "Best-In-State Wealth Advisors" award was announced April 2023. Data as of 6/30/2022. The award was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. The financial advisor does not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this award. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. This is not indicative of this financial advisor’s future performance. For more information: www.SHOOKresearch.com.

The 2024 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams award was announced January 2024. Data as of 3/31/23. The award was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: a measure of each team’s best practices, client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. SHOOK’s research and rankings provide opinions intended to help investors choose the right financial advisor and team, and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Past performance is not an indication of future results.  Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. The financial advisor does not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this award. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. This is not indicative of this financial advisor’s future performance.

The 2024 Forbes "Best-In-State Wealth Advisors" award was announced April 2024. Data as of 6/30/2023. The award was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor based on qualitative criteria such as: best practices, client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. The financial advisor does not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this award. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. This is not indicative of this financial advisor’s future performance. For more information: www.SHOOKresearch.com.

The 2025 Forbes “Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams” award was announced January 2025. Data as of 3/31/24. The award was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: a measure of each team’s best practices, client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance was not an award criterion. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. The financial advisor does not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this award. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. For more information:  <a href="http://www.SHOOKresearch.com">www.SHOOKresearch.com</a>.

The 2025 Forbes “Best-In-State Wealth Advisors” award was announced April 2025. Data as of 6/30/2024. The award was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: a measure of each advisor’s best practices, client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance was not an award criterion. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. The financial advisor does not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this award. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. For more information go to: www.SHOOKresearch.com.

Michael Kemp

Managing Director - Financial Advisor, Senior Portfolio Manager - Portfolio Focus

540-404-6602

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Mike has more than 28 years of experience in the financial industry. He focuses on implementing wealth management strategies for clients, with a concentration on investment/ portfolio management to help protect assets and potential income. Understanding a client’s needs, expectations and risk tolerance has become the cornerstone of his approach to providing investment advice.

Prior to joining RBC Wealth Management, Mike worked at UBS and previously at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, where he and Eddie Link co-founded The Meridian Group in 2002. He was a member of the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney President’s Council in 2003 and a member of the Chairman’s Council from 2004–2011. Mike started his career in September 1993 with Paine Webber, which later merged with UBS. Mike has been recognized by Forbes as a Best-in-State Wealth Advisor in Virginia in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023, also published in the Virginia Business magazine.

Mike is a native of Roanoke, Virginia. He is a 1986 graduate of Cave Spring High School and a 1990 graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and a minor in psychology. Mike also played football for the VMI Keydets from 1986–1989. He is very active in the community and is a current member and past president of the YMCA of the Virginia Blue Ridge board of directors. He currently serves or has served on the YMCA’s executive, finance, nominating and endowment committees and was chair of the Virginia Blue Ridge Partners Campaign in 2019. Mike was chair of the Salem YMCA from 2012–2014, where he chaired the Salem YMCA Partners Campaign in 2010 and 2011. In addition, Mike currently serves on the board of directors for the Virginia Military Institute’s (VMI) Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Virginia Military Institute’s Keydet Club Board of Directors. Mike also has served on the board of directors for the Roanoke Valley Fellowship of Christian Athletes for more than 10 years. From 2003–2009, he served on the VMI Keydet Club board. Mike attends First United Methodist Church in Salem, Virginia, and serves on the ushering committee. He has been married to his wife, Mimi, for over 29 years and has two adult daughters, Barrett and Lillian, and one son, Ethan.

The 2019 Forbes "Best-In-State Wealth Advisors" award was announced February 2019. Data as of 6/30/2018. The award was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. The financial advisor does not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this award. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. This is not indicative of this financial advisor’s future performance. For more information: www.SHOOKresearch.com.

The 2020 Forbes "Best-In-State Wealth Advisors" award was announced January 2020. Data as of 6/30/2019. The award was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. The financial advisor does not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this award. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. This is not indicative of this financial advisor’s future performance. For more information: www.SHOOKresearch.com.

The 2021 Forbes "Best-In-State Wealth Advisors" award was announced February 2021. Data as of 6/30/2020. The award was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. The financial advisor does not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this award. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. This is not indicative of this financial advisor’s future performance. For more information: www.SHOOKresearch.com.

The 2023 Forbes "Best-In-State Wealth Advisors" award was announced April 2023. Data as of 6/30/2022. The award was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. The financial advisor does not pay a fee to be considered for or to receive this award. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients. This is not indicative of this financial advisor’s future performance. For more information: www.SHOOKresearch.com.

Bradley Blum

Senior Vice President - Financial Advisor, Senior Portfolio Manager - Portfolio Focus

540-404-6603

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Allison Oakey, CFP®, CRPS®

Vice President - Financial Advisor

540-404-6608

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Allison joined RBC Wealth Management in October 2020 as part of the Associate Financial Advisor (AFA) program and officially joined The Meridian Group in May 2021. Allison has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification as well as the Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist^SM designation; she passed the Series 7 and 66 exams and holds life and health insurance licenses.

Allison brings a diverse background in risk management, audit and attention to detail while working in a team environment. These skill sets give her a keen focus on the customized wealth management process Meridian’s clients are accustomed to. Allison enjoys working with individuals and families, business owners and corporate retirement plans, as well as young professionals new to investing. She focuses on working with Meridian’s clients on their customized wealth plan by helping them identify long-term strategic goals and developing a clear understanding of their priorities, risk tolerance and time horizons. Through this thorough and customized approach, her main goal is to empower clients to live out the dreams they have worked so hard for and to help them move through each stage of life with confidence and fulfillment.

Prior to joining The Meridian Group, Allison spent two years in financial services consulting at Ernst & Young in Charlotte, North Carolina, primarily focusing on financial services risk management and internal controls transformation. She worked with several of the nation’s largest banks advising on multiple aspects of their financial processes and controls, such as operational resiliency and internal pricing. Allison also spent two years as an internal auditor within the CFO audit organization at Bank of America in Charlotte.

Allison received her master’s degree in business management from Wake Forest University School of Business in May 2017 and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wake Forest University in May 2016. Allison is a native of Roanoke, Virginia, and is passionate about helping foster the long-term growth and health of the community in meaningful ways and is very active in the community. She currently serves on the board of directors of Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge (VBR), the board of directors of Children’s Trust, and the board of directors of Restoration Housing. Allison is also a member of the Roanoke Valley Estate Planning Council (RVEPC) and the Roanoke Valley Garden Club. In her spare time, you can usually find Allison hiking or camping on the Appalachian Trail and in the Blue Ridge Mountains with her husband, Sam, and their two dogs, Ragnar (English golden retriever) and Moose (Yorkshire terrier). She also loves cooking, gardening and playing tennis.