My Mission Statement
Helping clients like you make informed, confident financial decisions so you can spend less time worrying about your finances, and more time doing what matters most to you.
My Story and Services
Quality of personalized service is the fundamental principle that drives everything I do. My practice is limited to a select number of clients and their families, so I may deliver the dedicated time, attention and service they each deserve. You’ll find that whatever your goals are, I am committed to the following core tenets:
EXPERIENCE
For several years I have been working with affluent families to help them solve problems. I focus on helping people whose lives are in transition; specifically, individuals entering retirement, business owners selling their business, as well as those managing a life-changing event like the loss of a spouse or a divorce.
INSIGHT
My experience and insight help map out innovative, forward-thinking strategies to help achieve your specific objectives. I am committed to professional development, attending seminars and workshops and working towards advanced industry certifications. This enables me to remain on the forefront of some of the most effective strategies, while continually striving to create a more powerful client experience.
ACTION
Even the best strategy can be ineffective without focused, decisive action. That’s why my custom-created recommendations are clearly outlined with rationale and action steps. To help your strategy stay on track, I set timelines and meet with you regularly to measure progress and make any necessary adjustments.
When you invite me into your life to care about you and your family’s future, I take that trust very seriously. It is this openness that facilitates a high level of clarity and guidance. In return, you may spend less time thinking about your finances, and more time doing those things that matter most to you.
EXPERIENCE
For several years I have been working with affluent families to help them solve problems. I focus on helping people whose lives are in transition; specifically, individuals entering retirement, business owners selling their business, as well as those managing a life-changing event like the loss of a spouse or a divorce.
INSIGHT
My experience and insight help map out innovative, forward-thinking strategies to help achieve your specific objectives. I am committed to professional development, attending seminars and workshops and working towards advanced industry certifications. This enables me to remain on the forefront of some of the most effective strategies, while continually striving to create a more powerful client experience.
ACTION
Even the best strategy can be ineffective without focused, decisive action. That’s why my custom-created recommendations are clearly outlined with rationale and action steps. To help your strategy stay on track, I set timelines and meet with you regularly to measure progress and make any necessary adjustments.
When you invite me into your life to care about you and your family’s future, I take that trust very seriously. It is this openness that facilitates a high level of clarity and guidance. In return, you may spend less time thinking about your finances, and more time doing those things that matter most to you.
Securities Agent: NC, MI, IA, UT, TN, CO, NM, MT, ID, PA, NV, CA, WA, VA, OR, HI, AZ, VT, TX, SC, NY, FL, AK, GA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1735612
CA Insurance License #: 0L95131
NMLS#: 1735612
CA Insurance License #: 0L95131
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
As your financial advisor, my role is to help you develop a personalized financial strategy that lays out a clear path to your goals; a strategy you can follow, helping you make informed, confident decisions in today’s complex financial markets.
Over the years, I have developed a five-step consulting process designed to empower you to achieve and maintain your financial goals.
Step 1: Detailed Discovery Interview
From the onset, I spend a great deal of time getting to know you, gathering important information about you and your family and establishing your specific financial objectives. You’ll find my unique process is focused on truly understanding your manner of thinking and feeling; specifically, where you came from and where you want to go.
Step 2: Goal Clarification
Here, I develop an in-depth summary of your goals and how each will be addressed.
Step 3: Current Position and Goal Navigation
During this critical step, I gain a deep understanding of your entire financial situation -- including your current investment strategy and how you’ve fared to date – to prepare a tailored outline of specific, measurable and time-targeted objectives. This detailed review goes beyond investment recommendations to look at more complex wealth management strategies, such as cash flow management.
Step 4: Strategy Recommendations
This step is focused on creating prospective strategies that are custom-designed for your specific risk tolerance, time horizon and goals.
Step 5: Proposed Goal Map and Service Model
Finally, I share an overall roadmap to manage your assets and provide our highly personalized service model for working with you and your family.
Over the years, I have developed a five-step consulting process designed to empower you to achieve and maintain your financial goals.
Step 1: Detailed Discovery Interview
From the onset, I spend a great deal of time getting to know you, gathering important information about you and your family and establishing your specific financial objectives. You’ll find my unique process is focused on truly understanding your manner of thinking and feeling; specifically, where you came from and where you want to go.
Step 2: Goal Clarification
Here, I develop an in-depth summary of your goals and how each will be addressed.
Step 3: Current Position and Goal Navigation
During this critical step, I gain a deep understanding of your entire financial situation -- including your current investment strategy and how you’ve fared to date – to prepare a tailored outline of specific, measurable and time-targeted objectives. This detailed review goes beyond investment recommendations to look at more complex wealth management strategies, such as cash flow management.
Step 4: Strategy Recommendations
This step is focused on creating prospective strategies that are custom-designed for your specific risk tolerance, time horizon and goals.
Step 5: Proposed Goal Map and Service Model
Finally, I share an overall roadmap to manage your assets and provide our highly personalized service model for working with you and your family.
About me
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, it is the place I call home. I love the people, seasons and opportunities that this area offers. The Northwest has prevailed as a leader in innovation spanning many industries such as technology, retail, travel, coffee and more. I take pride in our collaborative endeavor to help grow, improve and give back. This culture challenges us to rapidly evolve and remain a holistic, timely and most importantly client focused leader in wealth management.
I am an active father of two young boys, Palmer and Jones, who I love to adventure with. We love to explore, get up to thrilling activities and learn new things. I am an avid golfer, cook and skier with an endless desire to see the world. My mantra is “Carpe Diem” or “Seize the Day”. I have intentionally lived this out for many years; however, my conviction in this notion deepened the day I saw how life can change when a doctor reveals that dreaded six letter word. My mission is to help clients like you make informed, confident financial decisions so you can be confident about your finances and more time doing what matters most to you.
Professionally, I received my bachelor’s degree in finance from Western Washington University. During my studies at WWU I became licensed as a Financial Advisor and participated in Northwestern Mutual’s internship program. After establishing a robust practice at Northwestern Mutual, I was recruited by Morgan Stanley to join the Mt. Baker Group and further their holistic financial planning practice. Behind the numbers, the intimate conversations leading to deep client relationships are the passion for our business. I am invigorated each day by the impactful role I play in helping my clients attaining their goals.
Fun fact: I have had two holes-in-one
I am an active father of two young boys, Palmer and Jones, who I love to adventure with. We love to explore, get up to thrilling activities and learn new things. I am an avid golfer, cook and skier with an endless desire to see the world. My mantra is “Carpe Diem” or “Seize the Day”. I have intentionally lived this out for many years; however, my conviction in this notion deepened the day I saw how life can change when a doctor reveals that dreaded six letter word. My mission is to help clients like you make informed, confident financial decisions so you can be confident about your finances and more time doing what matters most to you.
Professionally, I received my bachelor’s degree in finance from Western Washington University. During my studies at WWU I became licensed as a Financial Advisor and participated in Northwestern Mutual’s internship program. After establishing a robust practice at Northwestern Mutual, I was recruited by Morgan Stanley to join the Mt. Baker Group and further their holistic financial planning practice. Behind the numbers, the intimate conversations leading to deep client relationships are the passion for our business. I am invigorated each day by the impactful role I play in helping my clients attaining their goals.
Fun fact: I have had two holes-in-one
Location
2200 Rimland Drive
Suite 105
Bellingham, WA 98226
US
Direct:
(360) 788-7000(360) 788-7000
Fax:
(206) 801-5554(206) 801-5554
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
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
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
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
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
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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
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving
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Ready to start a conversation? Contact Austin Neufeld today.
1Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) aware investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because ESG criteria exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining financial market.
3Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.
4When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
5Morgan 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.
6Morgan 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.
7Morgan 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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
8Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
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.
2The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) aware investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because ESG criteria exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining financial market.
3Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.
4When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
5Morgan 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.
6Morgan 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.
7Morgan 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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
8Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
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)
