My Story and Services

I am strategically partnered with Financial Advisor Catherine Joyce, CIMA, to bring a comprehensive and collaborative approach to wealth management. To learn more about our team and our approach, visit our website linked below.

Our philosophy is built on a bespoke approach to financial planning. Recognizing that each client's journey is unique and influenced by distinct financial circumstances, strategies are tailored to help address specific needs and goals. This focus includes managing assets, retirement income planning, seeking to preserve generational wealth, and tax management strategies.

Education is a cornerstone of our practice. We prioritize helping clients to feel informed and confident and strive to help each client fully understand their financial strategies. That commitment extends beyond current clients; we're passionate about preparing future generations to carry on and build upon their family's wealth. Through personalized guidance and interactive discussions, we work to help heirs and younger family members gain the knowledge to navigate their financial paths confidently.

Whether you are planning for retirement, seeking to grow your wealth, or looking to plan your financial future, we are here to provide the guidance and experience to help you towards your goals.
Services Include
Securities Agent: NC, GA, PA, NY, WA, NM, ME, IL, MD, FL, CO, VA, CT, AZ, KY, VI, UT, NJ, RI, OH, NV, AL, WV, SC, MI, DE, CA, TX, OR, NH, MA, ID, DC; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2458680
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

WORKING WITH YOU

Our practice is process driven. 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. Then, we build a bespoke financial plan that considers all of your challenges, goals, and aspirations. Working together, we develop the strategies to help you navigate life’s challenges and make more informed decisions about your wealth.

Leveraging a comprehensive suite of analytical tools and decades of industry experiences, our goal is for clients to feel a sense of confidence knowing that their financial life is on track and in dedicated hands.
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    1. Discovery
    We begin with an organic discovery process of uncovering your most pertinent values. We help define your goals, learn about the lifestyle you enjoy, and explore the future you hope to lead. We also build a comprehensive profile of your personal and financial assets, liabilities, and circumstances. Collecting this information helps us paint your complete financial picture.
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    2. Planning
    Based on our initial conversation, we will develop a tailored and cohesive financial plan. The goal of this financial plan is 3-fold: 1) To define where you are; 2) To define where you'd like to be; and 3) To define the objectives that we will execute. Building a financial plan is a collaborative process. We will work together to finalize a plan to preserve, optimize, and grow your wealth.
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    3. Implementation:
    Our team works diligently to help ensure a seamless implementation of the various elements of your financial plan. Often, we work with trusted partners including estate attorneys and accountants during implementation. We can also deliver the full suite of resources provided by Morgan Stanley to you and your family.
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    4. Ongoing Support
    Once we have finished refining your financial foundation, our jobs are not done. We are our client's personal Chief Financial Officers. We are proactive stewards of wealth – adapting to ever-changing circumstances, market environments, and anything life throws your way.

SOUND INVESTING PRINCIPLES VS. HUMAN NATURE

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Have you heard the expression, "Buy low, sell high"? It's a fundamental principle in investing, and it's about recognizing opportunities where assets are undervalued. When the market drops and prices are depressed, investors are presented with a perfect opportunity to buy low.

But why do so many investors sell during market downturns? Isn't that the ideal time to buy, according to this longstanding strategy?

The answer lies in understanding Behavioral Investing. Emotions often drive investment decisions, leading to actions that may not align with logic or your financial plan. Fear of further losses during a market decline can prompt investors to sell even though they know that the stock market is ultimately self-correcting, and volatility is both inevitable and surmountable.

Our Team has studied the concept of Behavioral Investing extensively. One of the most important things we do for our clients is provide a logical, systematic response to changing conditions. We provide a guiding hand during the regular market volatility that is almost certain to occur during any long-range investment cycle.

Modern Wealth Tools and Additional Resources

Morgan Stanley strives to ensure it serves clients on its technology platforms that are resilient, safe, efficient, smart, fast and flexible. Please browse a few of our digital tools and modern wealth resources below:
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    Morgan Stanley Online
    Your investments and everyday finances are always just a few clicks away with Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) and the Morgan Stanley mobile app! Access your finances and invest in an instant with the help of this handy resource that is available 24/7.
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    Total Wealth View
    Complete your financial picture with Total Wealth View. By linking your account information, you will benefit from more informed wealth planning, more secure data access, and convenient connectivity.
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    Financial Literacy and Wealth Education
    Morgan Stanley has financial literacy resources for every age, wealth level and type of organization to help you support your clients and their families. We can help provide information to help build healthy financial habits and spark meaningful discussions.
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    Digital Vault
    The Digital Vault on Morgan Stanley Online and the Mobile App allows you to build a central, shared document library where all documents are stored using encryption.
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    Online Security Center
    Safeguarding your assets and information is one of our highest priorities, but you can also have a critical role to play. Check out our collection of practical takeaways and best practices from our cybersecurity professionals. Then explore a few of the ways we help protect you.
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    Portfolio Risk Platform
    Morgan Stanley's Portfolio Risk Platform is powered by BlackRock's Aladdin risk engine, a state-of-the-art, innovative risk engine used by several of the world’s largest institutional asset managers, providing you with comprehensive risk analytics and a sophisticated view of the risk/return dichotomy across your financial portfolios.

Location

1747 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Ste 900
Washington, DC 20006
US
Direct:
(202) 292-5487(202) 292-5487
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
4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
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4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

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
2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
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2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

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
Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse
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Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse

Financial planning after a divorce or death can be trying, but with the right approach and the right advice you can turn a difficult situation into empowerment.

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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Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

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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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 

There’s more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here’s one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Charlie Wixson 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.

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2Morgan 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.

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3Morgan 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.

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4Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee.
Morgan 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.

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5Products and services are provided by third party service providers, not Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). Morgan Stanley may not receive a referral fee or have any input concerning such products or services. There may be additional service providers for comparative purposes. Please perform a thorough due diligence and make your own independent decision.
Morgan 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.

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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

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7When 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.

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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.

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9Investors should consider many factors before deciding which 529 plan is appropriate. Some of these factors include: the Plan’s investment options and the historical investment performance of these options, the Plan’s flexibility and features, the reputation and expertise of the Plan’s investment manager, Plan contribution limits and the federal and state tax benefits associated with an investment in the Plan. Some states, for example, offer favorable tax treatment and other benefits to their residents only if they invest in the state’s own Qualified Tuition Program. Investors should determine their home state’s tax treatment of 529 plans when considering whether to choose an in-state or out-of-state plan. Investors should consult with their tax or legal advisor before investing in any 529 Plan or contact their state tax division for more information. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not provide tax and/or legal advice. Investors should review a Program Disclosure Statement, which contains more information on investment options, risk factors, fees and expenses and possible tax consequences.

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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)