Retirement plans Get the most out of your employer-sponsored retirement plans, including a 401(k).
Annuities Use a guaranteed income stream to help diversify your retirement options.
Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) Set up (and save in) a tax-advantaged account that’s just right for you.
Enroll today, save for tomorrow.
Sign up for your workplace retirement plan.

Enroll now
Looking for a dentist in your network?
Search our directory or browse a list of providers in your area.

Find a dentist
Create an account
Set up your online access and update your information.

Get started
Benefits and insurance Find out how to protect what matters most and support your well-being.
Estate planning Learn how to build a foundation to help your loved ones and leave a legacy.
Financial planning Discover tools, tips, and insights to help reach your short- and long-term goals.
Investing Create a plan and boost your knowledge so you know how to make financial progress.
Retirement Strategies to save for (and enjoy) your retirement.
View all articles
Featured Article

How to create your own lifelong financial plan, step by step

Create a just-for-you path to balance your short- and long-term goals.
How can we help you? Close
Visit the search page to explore all content and features. Log in

For individuals
About Us Our Company Worldwide locations Regional locations Principal® Financial Network of the Carolinas Meet the management team - The Carolinas
Principal® Financial Network of the Carolinas
Meet the management team
Office leadership
Shawn Will headshot

Shawn Will

Senior Regional Managing Director

Shawn is committed to helping our financial representatives determine what financial success looks like and helping them achieve it. As a former financial professional and managing partner, Shawn has been in the financial industry since 2000. He is an active member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and the General Agency Management Association (GAMA).
Contact information 919-755-8688 will.shawn@principal.com Connect on LinkedIn
DaveHoward

Dave Howard

Senior Managing Director

Dave has been in the financial services industry for over two decades and has built a strong background in advisor recruitment, business development, and talent strategy. He is passionate about helping financial professionals identify growth opportunities and build thriving practices, drawing on extensive experience in recruiting, branch development, and advisor integration. Originally from Central Massachusetts, Dave has lived and worked throughout New England, Ohio, Wisconsin, New York, Pittsburgh, and Tennessee. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, golfing, and spending time with his wife, Jodi, and their daughter, Kayla.
Contact information 615-207-1092 howard.dave@principal.com Connect on LinkedIn
Craig B. Miller headshot

Craig B. Miller, CFP®, CRPC®

Managing Director - Development

Craig has been in the financial services industry since 2006 and brings a strong background to his managing director - development role. Craig is passionate about working with both clients as well as internal partners, providing financial planning solutions to clients and training and growth support to financial representatives. Craig and his wife live in Raleigh with their two sons. Craig is originally from Florida and enjoys staying active through sports and outdoor activities.
Contact information 919-755-8662 miller.craig@principal.com Connect on LinkedIn
Office staff
Dava Weitzel Headshot

Dava Weitzel

Associate Director Field Operations

Dava drives operational excellence in partnership with the regional and territory leaders. Through leadership of and in partnership with a team of territorial support staff she strives to deliver solutions to help financial professionals cultivate compliant and best in class practices.
Contact information 770-250-7606 weitzel.dava@principal.com Connect on LinkedIn
Ginny Otero headshot

Ginny Otero

Manager Field Operations

Ginny leads a team of new business consultants and works closely with corporate partners to develop processes which enable the team to provide an elevated level of service to the representatives in the territory.
Contact information otero.ginny@principal.com
Megan LeClair

Megan LeClair

Business Development Consultant

Megan partners with the management team and representatives to implement strategies to expand their marketing, branding, and business development efforts at both the representative and regional office level.
Contact information leclair.megan@principal.com
HunterHolden

Holden Hunter

New Business Consultant

Holden is responsible for consulting and managing new business case design and submission. He partners with financial professionals and their teams, along with our corporate product partners, to ensure cases are submitted accurately so they can be processed on time and in alignment with product area processes. 
Contact information hunter.holden@principal.com
Angie Dirks headshot

Angie Dirks

Site Coordinator

Angie plays a crucial role in ensuring our offices operate efficiently. Working closely with the entire team, she serves as a skilled troubleshooter who addresses challenges head-on. Angie takes pride in making sure inquiries are handled promptly. With her proactive approach and attention to detail, Angie contributes to a supportive environment where client needs are prioritized.
Contact information dirks.angie@principal.com

Ellen Brill

Senior Candidate Experience Consultant

Ellen partners with the management team to provide comprehensive support to all new financial representative candidates through the onboarding and initial marketing launch processes. This includes scheduling of exams, ordering background checks, and preparing contracting and registration paperwork.
Contact information brill.ellen@principal.com
TaniaCabrera

Tania Cabrera

Field Supervisor

Tania Cabrera assists the management team with their supervisory and regulatory responsibilities. She is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the firm by ensuring activities comply with regulatory requirements, laws, and firm policies.
Contact information cabrera.tania@principal.com
National staff
Headshot of Melville Waithe

Melville Waithe

National Director - Succession and Practice Management

Mel Waithe is a seasoned financial services leader specializing in wealth management, sales, and practice management. As National Director at Principal, he leads Succession and Practice Management, partnering with advisors and leaders to help build, grow, and successfully transition thriving businesses. Mel has developed practical tools, resources, and coaching strategies that support advisor success through client engagement, succession planning, business management, and teaming initiatives that strengthen practices and support long-term sustainability. He holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Business.
Contact information 704-716-2468 waithe.melville@principal.com Connect on LinkedIn
EvaCoutermarsh

Eva Coutermarsh

National Recruiting Director

Eva is an accomplished leader with more than 20 years of experience building and developing entrepreneurial teams, helping individuals from diverse backgrounds grow their careers while advancing business objectives. She specializes in recruiting, developing, and retaining talented professionals with strong business acumen and a commitment to client service, operational excellence, and growth. Guided by a servant leadership philosophy, Eva is passionate about creating high-performing offices that offer meaningful opportunities for long-term success in the financial industry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English/Communication from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and is actively seeking talented professionals to join the nationwide team at Principal®.
Contact information 617-797-2741 coutermarsh.eva@principal.com Connect on LinkedIn
Connect with us

Research our firm with FINRA’s BrokerCheck.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

The Financial Professionals in the Principal® Financial Network of the Carolinas are licensed in the states they have satisfied qualification requirements to offer insurance products, life insurance (including variable life), annuities (including variable annuities), securities and investment advisory services.

This site is not a solicitation of interest in any of these products in any other state. The member companies of the Principal Financial Group neither endorses, explicitly or impliedly, any of the third-party entities.

Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance Company (except in NY), Principal Life Insurance Company® and the companies available through the Preferred Product Network Inc. Securities and advisory products offered through Principal Securities, Inc., member SIPC. Referenced companies are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392.

Important Consumer Information: Financial Professionals of Principal Securities® who are part of the Principal® Financial Network of the Carolinas may only transact business in a particular state after licensure or satisfying qualifications requirements of that state, or only if he or she is excluded or exempted from the state’s registration requirements. Follow-up, individualized responses to consumers in a particular state by any of the Financial Professionals of Principal Securities that involve either the effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, as the case may be, shall not be made without first complying with the state’s requirements, or pursuant to an applicable state exemption or exclusion. For information concerning the licensure status or disciplinary history of a broker-dealer, investment adviser, BD agent or IA representative or any financial institution he or she represents, contact your state securities law administrator.

Principal Life maintains certificates of authority to transact insurance in all 50 states. Principal Life NAIC identification number is 61271. Principal National NAIC identification number 71161.