Capitol Bridge Group at Morgan Stanley

Steve knew from the age of 10 that he would someday pursue a career in finance. A major metropolitan newspaper sponsored a stock market game for school-age children in which entrants were required to compile an imaginary portfolio and follow its progress throughout the school year. Steve and his classmates “bought” stocks of companies like Disney because they all liked The Lion King and Nike because many of them wore Nike athletic shoes. It taught Steve an important lesson that remained with him to this day – invest in what you know. And it instilled in him a passion for the markets that compelled him to pursue his chosen career.

A graduate of The University of Maryland with a degree in finance, Steve interned with a major financial firm while in college and began his Morgan Stanley career two days after receiving his diploma. Over the next two decades, he built his practice by focusing not only on investments, but proactive and personalized service. He realized early in his career that performance, while important, is not the only reason why clients remain with their Financial Advisor. Communication and trust are paramount, and Steve developed a client service model that features numerous client contacts and conversations throughout the year.

A Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist and Morgan Stanley-credentialed Executive Financial Services Director, Steve has developed a specialized niche serving growing companies and their executives with guidance on retirement plans, equity compensation and diversification of consolidated stock positions. He has also helped numerous business owners facilitate their exit strategies by preparing for and adapting to those major liquidity events.

Steve was named a Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor every year starting in 2017 to 2025. Additionally in 2016 through 2020, he was cited by Forbes in its ranking of America’s Top Next Generation Wealth Advisors. Steve takes pride in these accomplishments and in his ability to make the intangible tangible for his clients by educating them on the complexities they face.

An avid runner, Steve has competed in the Boston and New York Marathons, among other well-known long distance running events. He was president of his college fraternity and still supports its charitable efforts, supporting organizations seeking to find better treatments for Dandy Walker Syndrome. Steve and his wife Lindsey have two young sons and when Steve isn’t running or advising clients, he can often be found coaching his kids’ T-ball team.

​2017-2025 Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2017-2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award. https://www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/awards-disclosure.html

​2016-2020 Forbes America’s Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors & Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State(formerly referred to as Forbes America's Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Forbes Top 1,000 Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Forbes Top 500 Next Generation Wealth Advisors)
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded ​2016-2020). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month period concluding in Mar of the year the award was issued. https://www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/awards-disclosure.html

Mark has a unique niche that has made him a valued source of information and guidance to dynamic start-up companies and their entrepreneurial executives. As a Morgan Stanley-credentialed Dedicated Equity Plan Specialist, he helps prepare his clients for major liquidity events that can generate significant and life-changing wealth. These events range from IPOs and corporate acquisitions to share buyback offers and exercise of employer stock options.

Mark honed his extensive knowledge of the challenges faced by his clients through years of experience. After graduating from Brandeis University, he worked as a consultant to a number telecommunications firms, focusing on early data services such as x.25 and EDI networking. In the 1990s, after seeing his first Netscape browser, he moved to San Francisco to be closer to the companies that were emerging around data networking and the Internet. As a research analyst with Hambrecht & Quist and JP Morgan, he identified and covered the Datacom and Internet Infrastructure companies that underpinned the biggest technological revolution since the invention of the PC. As an investment banking executive, he worked with start-up companies to develop business plans, secure funding and take their businesses to the next level.

Mark joined Morgan Stanley in 2013 and leveraged his knowledge of the wealth creation process to help clients navigate the life changing decisions they are often forced to make around start-up equity, often under severe time constraints. He remains based in San Francisco within easy reach of the companies and executives who rely on him for sound, personalized advice. When not advising clients, he spends as much time as he can with his three high school and college age children.

Briggs has been around Wealth Management since he was born. His father was in the industry for over 30 years and some of his earliest memories are going into his office and looking through research reports. By the time he reached High School, he had already began interning for his father’s practice. Born and raised in Tiburon, California, he attended St. Ignatius College Prepatory where he played basketball and football. While at SI he founded and ran the Investment Club and was a member of the 200 Hour Club for community service.

He went on to graduate from the University of Mississippi with a degree in Economics. Briggs interned with multiple firms within Wealth Management and Corporate Finance. While in college he co-founded an emerging water purification company developing an innovative and economical product to serve the 1 in 10 people in the world without clean water. He secured funding for the business from the school’s Rebel Venture Capital Fund.

After graduation, Briggs worked with a pre seed start up running their finances, forecasting, and assisting with the creation of pitch decks to secure financing. Combining his love for wealth management and passion for entrepreneurship he began his career as a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley where he focuses on founders and early employees at start-up companies. With Morgan Stanley he focuses on assisting clients understand their financial needs, plan for the future, and make sure they are able to reach their goals. With an emphasis on equity compensation, he focuses on mitigating the risk of concentrated positions and minimizing potential tax liabilities.

Outside of work, he enjoys Basketball, Golf, and playing his guitar or piano.

Briggs has been included as a member of the Pacesetter's Club since 2023.

As a Wealth Management Associate, Hannah plays an important role on the team. Her focus is working closely with clients to help them achieve their personal goals by assisting with the financial planning process. Combining her knowledge in both wealth planning and operational processes, she is able to provide a full service experience for clients. With her Series 7 and Series 66 licenses, Hannah also helps with the execution of client trade requests.
 
Hannah has five years of wealth management experience at Morgan Stanley. She began her career in 2018 as a client service associate with the Capitol Bridge Group, managing the operational and administrative aspects of the client experience.
 
Hannah is a graduate from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England, where she received a bachelor's degree in business. A Middleburg, Virginia native, she now resides in Chevy Chase, Maryland. She has a passion for travel, and during her years abroad, she enjoyed immersing herself in the many cultures of Europe. In her free time, Hannah enjoys wine tasting and riding horses.

McKenna Rueter is a Client Service Associate joining the Capitol Bridge Group. As a part of the team, she will be happy to assist you with any service-related requests such as online access questions, ACH or wire money movements, IRA distributions and rollovers, and scheduling meetings with Steve or Mark.

McKenna graduated from James Madison University in May 2023, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences. Before joining Morgan Stanley, McKenna cultivated her passion of building relationships with clients by caring for nursing home residents beside various healthcare professionals. McKenna looks forward to continuing that practice as a member of the Lucas Group while delivering exceptional client service experience.

When McKenna is not in the office, she enjoys spending her free time in the gym, trying new restaurants with friends, and exploring her new neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia.

Josh Thatcher is a Registered Client Service Associate and the newest member of the Capitol Bridge Group. Previously with Ameriprise Financial, Josh brings expertise in wealth management and a passion for exceptional client service. As a fully registered financial representative, he will enhance the service and client experience you expect from the Capitol Bridge Group, ensuring the team anticipates and responds to client needs even more efficiently.

Originally from Bloomington, Minnesota, Josh studied history, philosophy, and law at Fordham University, Drake University, and Hamline University where he received a degree in Legal Studies in 2021. With diverse experiences in hospitality, sales, law, manufacturing, and supply chain management, he transitioned to the financial industry just under two years ago. In that time, Josh successfully passed six securities and insurance licensing exams in addition to getting married and moving across the country.

Now residing in Bethesda, Maryland, Josh is settling into the area and enjoying the chance to meet new people and explore. He is always looking for opportunities to travel to places both near and far, go out dancing, and find new places and experiences.