Russ Gallen
Private Banker
Alejandro Mendoza Velasco
Senior Vice President, Wealth Management,
International Client Advisor,
Portfolio Manager
Direct:
(619) 544-6509(619) 544-6509
My Mission Statement
My mission is to protect your legacy and champion your journey to success
My Story and Services
Alejandro Mendoza has been in financial services for nearly 20 years. Since the day he stepped foot in a wealth management office, he knew financial advising was the path for him. While studying economics at Carleton College, Alex found himself gravitating towards the psychological and behavioral aspects of finance. These are now a cornerstone of his investment approach and client relationships. He empowers clients to make decisions by simplifying complexities and helps them navigate from economic to personal challenges with clarity.
Alejandro strives to stay accountable, perform under pressure, and consistently keep his clients best interests in mind. His service model extends beyond managing your money; Alex focuses on determining and achieving your dreams and ideal legacy. He stewards global clients and business owners through sophisticated transnational matters and educates curious clients on relevant financial topics.
Outside of his dedication to financial advising, Alex is a devoted husband and father to his wife Elizabeth and three amazing children: Alejandro Gael (12), Talia (7), and Layla (2). They live in San Diego, where Alex stays active in the community through the Exit Planning Institute for business owners. To this day, he still makes time for the lifelong hobbies of chess and martial arts that he developed growing up in Mexico City and gets his children involved in them with him whenever he can. One day, he may get them involved in his love of motorsports and sailing as well.
Alejandro strives to stay accountable, perform under pressure, and consistently keep his clients best interests in mind. His service model extends beyond managing your money; Alex focuses on determining and achieving your dreams and ideal legacy. He stewards global clients and business owners through sophisticated transnational matters and educates curious clients on relevant financial topics.
Outside of his dedication to financial advising, Alex is a devoted husband and father to his wife Elizabeth and three amazing children: Alejandro Gael (12), Talia (7), and Layla (2). They live in San Diego, where Alex stays active in the community through the Exit Planning Institute for business owners. To this day, he still makes time for the lifelong hobbies of chess and martial arts that he developed growing up in Mexico City and gets his children involved in them with him whenever he can. One day, he may get them involved in his love of motorsports and sailing as well.
Securities Agent: FL, WY, OH, DE, CO, CA, ID, CT, TX, MN, AZ, NC, SC, MS, DC, SD, IL, NY, GA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Our Clients
We work with a broad range of clientele. However, many of our clients find themselves and their families across more than one of the below categories.
Above all, our priority is to work with like-minded individuals who desire in depth financial, trust, and estate planning strategies complemented by customized portfolio management and a full suite of family office services. By leveraging the power of our team and a global firm to deliver these resources, we give our clients as much time as possible to focus on their lives where it matters most.
Above all, our priority is to work with like-minded individuals who desire in depth financial, trust, and estate planning strategies complemented by customized portfolio management and a full suite of family office services. By leveraging the power of our team and a global firm to deliver these resources, we give our clients as much time as possible to focus on their lives where it matters most.
High Net Worth Clients
We enjoy working with highly accomplished and ambitious individuals who have already begun to leave their mark on the world. You worked tirelessly to reach what many might see at the peak of your career and wealth. At The Centaur San Diego Group, we understand, just as you do, that there is always room for growth, but that preservation of your efforts is also critical to sustained success. We support ultra high net worth individuals in keeping what they earn and creating a plan to build upon it. We leverage Morgan Stanley's vast resources to deliver solutions tailored to your unique needs and goals, while also maintaining your privacy and values.
Global and International Clients
Our team serves clients across the world. Whether you are a US citizen with global properties, citizenships, and investments, or an international citizen with US and global interests, Morgan Stanley International Wealth Management (IWM) harnesses the extensive capabilities of the firm to serve your needs. We are familiar with the investment challenges and opportunities that are unique to different parts of the world, and can recommend highly customized strategies to help you address your specific goals. Bouncing between borders with significant wealth requires a sophisticated plan navigate the financial complexities of this lifestyle and establish a meaningful legacy.
Business Owners and Enterprises
We offer a comprehensive suite of services tailored to meet the unique needs of business owners and their companies. This includes strategic guidance for transitioning or exiting the business, such as IPOs, sales to strategic acquirers, or ESOPs. Additionally, we provide customized wealth management strategies, 401k plans, estate and tax planning, strategies, and access to a wide range of investment banking resources. Business owners can also benefit from lifestyle advisory services, online and mobile services for managing assets and liabilities, and specialized support through varios stages of their business lifecycle, from inception to exit.
Family Offices
Morgan Stanley Family Office offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to meet the unique needs of family offices. Our services include fiduciary advice across the entire portfolio, access to differentiated investment opportunities, and objective information on client-sources investments. We also provide robust administrative support, including data aggregation, operational support, and the compilation of tax-related documentation. Additionally, MSFO connects clients to specialized services in areas such as tax, trust and estate planning, and philanthropy management, ensuring a holistic approach to managing significant wealth.
Our Financial Solutions
We can leverage the breadth of our firm, with the balance of our boutique service model, to help meet your financial needs and connect you to the best resources available. Below are just a handful of the services we offer valued clients.
Professional Portfolio Management
Managing an investment portfolio should be a consultative, disciplined process that balances your attitudes about investing with careful analysis of the financial markets. Working together, we create a customized strategy that applies long-held investment principles to help reach your goals.
Cash Management & Lending
As a client, you will access a suite of cash management solutions to help you manage your everyday finances. We also provide qualified clients with financing solutions for almost any personal or business need using the eligible securities in your brokerage account as collateral for a flexible line of credit.
Learn More
Tax Management
There are many tax-smart strategies for your financial plan. We'll help you make the tax decisions today that can help you save for years to come.
Learn More
Intergenerational Wealth Planning
We understand family wealth, and we are experienced for every stage of life. Obstacles are a part of life, and we can help you create a financial plan with those setbacks in mind.
Learn More
Legacy Planning
Life happens, and unexpected occurrences can happen at any time. The good news is there are best practices in legacy & estate planning that can better prepare you for the unforeseen. Multigenerational wealth creators are often challenged with difficult financial considerations that have a large impact on the size and scope of their legacy.
Learn MoreOur Process
As your dedicated Financial Advisors, our goal is to help tailor a personalized financial strategy which fits your unique needs. Through decades of working with clients, we have developed a step-by-step approach to service:
1. Discovery Process
We take the time to fully understand you and your family – whether you're planning for retirement, purchasing a home, or living out your golden years – we consider all of your challenges, goals, and aspirations when building your financial picture.
2. Forming Your Strategy
Our team works with you to assess various scenarios and advise you on the appropriate strategies designed to help meet those goals. Using your life goals as our compass, we create a risk-balanced strategy which maps a clear path to helping achieve your success.
3. Implementing Your Plan
We look across multiple accounts and products to identify the combination that helps you invest tax efficiently and meet your spending needs. We apply extensive research and analysis, and also utilize Morgan Stanley's full suite of resources, to help ensure swift decisive action in all market scenarios.
4. Measuring Your Success
Together we will review of your financial situation periodically with the ability to recommend adjustments according to your needs, life events and changing market conditions. We check in with you to deliver metrics around your portfolio, and ultimately measure trajectory towards your goals.
Watch Our Process Video HereTeam Videos
Meet Alejandro Mendoza Velasco
Watch Here
Meet Octavio Tudela
Watch Here
The 4 Step Process
Watch Here
The Centaur San Diego Group
Watch Here
The Fundamentals of Investing
Watch Here
The Psychology of Money
Watch HereClient Service Team
Octavio Tudela - Registered Client Service Associate
Phone:
(619) 544-6533(619) 544-6533
Email:octavio.tudela@morganstanley.com
Octavio works with our clients to get them on board and implement on money movement decisions. He joined forces with Alex in February of 2023 after three years of portfolio modeling and planning for an independent RIA in San Diego.
Octavio has been in the area all his life, developing passions for surfing and tennis, like many natives, and studying at San Diego State. There, he earned a degree in business administration, with a concentration in finance. This course of action was informed by his longtime fascination with the markets and desire to help others achieve their goals. His role at The Centaur San Diego Group has allowed him to explore these interests further, while developing meaningful relationships with clients. Outside of work, he spends time with friends, family, and, most importantly, his dog, Kane.
Octavio has been in the area all his life, developing passions for surfing and tennis, like many natives, and studying at San Diego State. There, he earned a degree in business administration, with a concentration in finance. This course of action was informed by his longtime fascination with the markets and desire to help others achieve their goals. His role at The Centaur San Diego Group has allowed him to explore these interests further, while developing meaningful relationships with clients. Outside of work, he spends time with friends, family, and, most importantly, his dog, Kane.
Location
101 W Broadway
Ste 1800
San Diego, CA 92101
US
Direct:
(619) 544-6509(619) 544-6509
The Power of Partnerships
By partnering with experienced individuals across wealth disciplines, Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors can align specialized resources with your custom needs and deliver strategic guidance through the familiarity and trust of existing relationships
Michael Mackowiak
Private Banker
Esteban Becerra
Planning Associate
About Russ Gallen
Russ Gallen is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in California.
Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.
Russ began his career in financial services in 2001, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2018 as a Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Wealth Management Banker at Merrill Lynch.
Russ is a graduate of Arizona State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He lives in Carlsbad, California with his wife, Chelsea. Outside of the office, Russ enjoys golf, tennis and traveling.
Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.
Russ began his career in financial services in 2001, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2018 as a Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Wealth Management Banker at Merrill Lynch.
Russ is a graduate of Arizona State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He lives in Carlsbad, California with his wife, Chelsea. Outside of the office, Russ enjoys golf, tennis and traveling.
NMLS#: 684961
About Michael Mackowiak
Michael Mackowiak is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in California.
Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.
Michael began his career in financial services in 2008, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2019 as a Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Premier Banker at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
He lives in Chula Vista, California with his family. Outside of the office, Michael enjoys watching soccer and baseball, traveling, and spending time with his family.
Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.
Michael began his career in financial services in 2008, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2019 as a Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Premier Banker at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
He lives in Chula Vista, California with his family. Outside of the office, Michael enjoys watching soccer and baseball, traveling, and spending time with his family.
NMLS#: 1069297
About Esteban Becerra
Esteban is a Planning Associate at Morgan Stanley providing dedicated financial planning support to Financial Advisors and their teams. Operating as an extension of the FA/Team, he collaborates with clients to discover and define the goals that matter most to them. Leveraging state of the art technology, he will evaluate various options and their potential outcomes to help clients confidently choose the appropriate course of action. Esteban provides expertise across a wide suite of Morgan Stanley planning tools designed to assist in the areas of investment accumulation, retirement, education, major purchase, cash flow, risk management, tax efficiency, and wealth transfer planning.
He earned his undergraduate degree from Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) and received the Financial Planning Specialist® designation from the College for Financial Planning. Esteban is originally from San Diego, California, and currently resides in White Plains, New York.
He earned his undergraduate degree from Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) and received the Financial Planning Specialist® designation from the College for Financial Planning. Esteban is originally from San Diego, California, and currently resides in White Plains, New York.
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
Investing
Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
- Asset Management
- Wealth Planning
- Traditional Investments
- Alternative Investments
- Impact Investing
Tax-Smart Ways to Sell Securities
How investors can tap their portfolios in tax-savvy ways.
Family
Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
- Estate Planning Strategies
- 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Special Needs Planning
- Trust Services
529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education
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Business Planning
Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
- Succession Planning
- Business Planning
- Qualified Retirement Plans
Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
Article Image
Retirement
Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
- 401(k) Rollovers
- IRA Plans
- Retirement income strategies
- Retirement plan participants
- Annuities
Philanthropy
Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
- Endowments
- Foundations
- Donor Advised Funds
- Impact Investing
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Alejandro Mendoza Velasco today.
1Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.
3Morgan Stanley’s investment advisory programs may require a minimum asset level and, depending on your specific investment objectives and financial position, may not be appropriate for you. Please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC program disclosure brochure (the “Morgan Stanley ADV”) for more information in the investment advisory programs available. The Morgan Stanley ADV is available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV.
4Structured Investments are complex and not appropriate for all investors. An investment in structured investments involves risks. These risks can include but are not limited to: fluctuations in the price, level or yield of underlying asset(s), interest rates, currency values and credit quality, substantial loss of principal, limits on participation in appreciation of underlying asset(s), limited liquidity, credit risk, and/or conflicts of interest. Many structured investments do not pay interest or guarantee a return above principal at maturity. Investors should read the security’s offering documentation prior to making an investment decision.
5GlobalCurrency is available to clients of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC with an eligible brokerage account. Before undertaking foreign exchange transactions, clients should understand the associated risks.
Engaging in foreign currency transactions entails more varied risks than normally associated with transactions in the domestic securities markets. Attention should be paid to market, credit, sovereign, and liquidity risks. The foreign exchange transactions and deposits discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all clients. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy depends upon a client’s particular circumstances and objectives. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice.
6Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.
Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
7Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.
8Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.
Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.
The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.
Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.
The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.
The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.
*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.
Awards Disclosures
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.
3Morgan Stanley’s investment advisory programs may require a minimum asset level and, depending on your specific investment objectives and financial position, may not be appropriate for you. Please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC program disclosure brochure (the “Morgan Stanley ADV”) for more information in the investment advisory programs available. The Morgan Stanley ADV is available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV.
4Structured Investments are complex and not appropriate for all investors. An investment in structured investments involves risks. These risks can include but are not limited to: fluctuations in the price, level or yield of underlying asset(s), interest rates, currency values and credit quality, substantial loss of principal, limits on participation in appreciation of underlying asset(s), limited liquidity, credit risk, and/or conflicts of interest. Many structured investments do not pay interest or guarantee a return above principal at maturity. Investors should read the security’s offering documentation prior to making an investment decision.
5GlobalCurrency is available to clients of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC with an eligible brokerage account. Before undertaking foreign exchange transactions, clients should understand the associated risks.
Engaging in foreign currency transactions entails more varied risks than normally associated with transactions in the domestic securities markets. Attention should be paid to market, credit, sovereign, and liquidity risks. The foreign exchange transactions and deposits discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all clients. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy depends upon a client’s particular circumstances and objectives. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice.
6Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.
Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
7Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.
8Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.
Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.
The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.
Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.
The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.
The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.
*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.
Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)
