Christopher Longly
My Mission Statement
My Story and Services
Chris’s interest in markets and personal finance began at an early age. Growing up, he learned about investing, money management, and current events through frequent conversations with his father, who helped instill lessons that continue to shape Chris’s work today. Those early experiences developed into a lifelong interest in markets, problem-solving, and helping others make informed financial decisions.
Before entering financial services, Chris built a distinctive career in public service, campaign operations, government affairs, and public affairs. He worked for multiple U.S. Senators and later helped manage campaign operations for U.S. Senate, gubernatorial, and congressional candidates. He also advised organizations including State Farm and The Venetian, gaining experience in communications, strategy, and navigating complex situations. Chris began his career in financial services at Merrill Lynch in 2013 and brings that broad professional background to his work with clients.
Chris takes a detailed planning approach and believes that understanding a client’s full life picture is essential to providing meaningful guidance. He asks thoughtful questions about family, longevity, career, future expenses, and personal priorities so he can help clients plan for both expected milestones and potential challenges. As the spouse of a Kansas City physician, Chris also has a personal understanding of the opportunities and demands physicians and their families may face.
Chris earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Communication Studies from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and an Executive Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri–Kansas City.
Outside the office, Chris is active in the Kansas City community. He has been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City for more than a decade, has coached youth soccer, served as a Cub Scouts Pack Master, and volunteers as a USA Swimming Stroke & Turn Official. He is also a certified auctioneer and supports local charitable organizations through fundraising events. Chris lives in Leawood, Kansas, with his wife, Dr. Julie Brown, their children, Elizabeth and Barrett, and their dog, Elphie, named after the Wicked Witch.
PLANNING FOR LIFE’S JOURNEY
Financial planning is much like preparing for a family road trip. You may know where you want to go, but reaching your destination requires preparation, flexibility, and the right guide along the way.
Before any journey begins, it helps to understand the starting point. How much fuel is in the tank? Are you prepared for unexpected weather, delays, or detours? Have you packed what you need for the road ahead?
Your financial life deserves the same level of preparation. Together, we will look at where you are today, where you want to go, and what needs to be considered along the way — from investments and retirement income to education funding, healthcare costs, risk management, estate planning strategies, and family priorities.
A thoughtful financial plan is not a one-time document. It is a living roadmap that can evolve as your life changes. My role is to help you stay organized, informed, and prepared for each stage of the journey.
We will begin by exploring your goals, values, family, career, concerns, and current financial picture.
Together, we will identify priorities, opportunities, and potential gaps, then develop a personalized strategy designed around your goals.
I will coordinate investment, planning, and wealth management strategies that support your roadmap.
As markets, tax laws, family needs, and career circumstances change, we revisit your plan and adjust where appropriate.
Through ongoing communication and review, I will help you understand your progress and make informed decisions over time.
FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR FAMILIES
Family life is full of milestones — some carefully planned, others unexpected. Buying a home, welcoming a child, saving for college, changing careers, supporting aging parents, preparing for retirement, or transferring wealth to the next generation can all bring important financial decisions.
I work with families to help organize their financial lives and create strategies that reflect both their immediate needs and long-term goals. My approach is personal and practical: I want clients to feel informed, supported, and confident in the decisions they make for themselves and the people they love.
As life changes, your plan should evolve with it. I strive to be a long-term resource for families as they move through each chapter — helping them prepare for opportunities, navigate transitions, and stay focused on what matters most.
Education is one of the most meaningful investments a family can make, but rising costs require careful preparation. Whether planning for a child, grandchild, or your own continued education, I can help you evaluate funding strategies and build a plan that supports your education goals.
Estate planning is an important part of preserving your legacy and providing for those you care about. I help clients explore estate strategies and work alongside their attorneys and tax professionals to create plans that reflect their wishes both during their lifetime and beyond.
Financial literacy means being equipped with the knowledge to help make smart financial decisions during every stage of your life. No matter your current priorities, a strong financial literacy foundation can help you meet your goals.
Many of us prefer to combine our support for the causes and people we care about with a desire to save on taxes. Fortunately, there are strategies that may help us accomplish both. Whether you want to donate to charity or invest in a loved one's future, consider these tax-smart ways to help make your giving go further.
WEALTH MANAGEMENT FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
Physicians and healthcare professionals often face financial decisions that are uniquely complex. Years of training, delayed peak earning years, student debt, practice responsibilities, demanding schedules, family obligations, and long-term career planning can all intersect in meaningful ways.
As the spouse of a physician, I understand many of these conversations firsthand. I know the realities that physician families often discuss around the dinner table — from career demands and childcare to education planning, retirement goals, insurance needs, and the desire to make the most of limited time.
My goal is to serve as a knowledgeable and empathetic financial resource for physicians, healthcare professionals, and their families. I help clients organize their financial lives, evaluate competing priorities, and build customized strategies aligned with their personal and professional goals.
My approach is designed for busy professionals who want thoughtful guidance, clear communication, and a coordinated plan. I help clients understand what they own, why they own it, and how each decision supports the life they are building.
At Morgan Stanley Investment Management, our goal is to provide strong long-term performance to a diverse client base of governments, institutions, corporations, advisors and individuals worldwide. Our investment solutions include a broad range of alternative investments, active investment strategies, customization strategies, sustainability expertise and tax-management solutions.
Morgan Stanley Total Tax 365 offers a full spectrum of tax-efficient solutions to help mitigate the tax drag on your portfolio—so you can keep more of what you earn and improve after-tax returns.
From IRAs to RMDs, I can help guide you through complexities of your comprehensive retirement plan assets, helping you easily transition to the next phase of your life with security and confidence.
For many physicians, insurance can play a critical role in a comprehensive wealth plan. Building and preserving wealth requires more than pursuing investment returns—it also means identifying, mitigating and managing risks that could disrupt your financial goals. The right insurance strategy can help protect your income, assets, family and practice when the unexpected occurs, providing greater confidence and continuity over time.
MODERN WEALTH TOOLS AND RESOURCES
Morgan Stanley's comprehensive suite of digital resources has been carefully designed to help enhance each and every aspect of your financial portfolio and life. Learn more about some of the Modern Wealth Management Tools that we offer to our valued clients.
Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) allows you to seamlessly and securely manage your investments and everyday finances in one place.
The Morgan Stanley Mobile App gives you the same capabilities as MSO, all from the convenience of your mobile device. It also offers features to help simplify your everyday finances.
Track spending habits, categorize expenses and create budgets across your Morgan Stanley and external financial accounts with our Spending and Budgeting Tools.
Reserved Living & Giving is a tiered complimentary loyalty program that rewards Morgan Stanley's most valued clients. The program is designed to enhance your lifestyle and relationship with the firm beyond traditional wealth management services.
Digital Vault allows for easy sharing and convenient access to your most important documents from wills and deeds to financial statements and tax filings. Easily manage your encrypted financial records all in one place.
eDelivery provides you with the ability to view statements and other documents electronically in lieu of paper. Clients who are registered in Morgan Stanley Online may enroll in eDelivery.
Location
Portfolio Insights
Retirement
- 401(k) Rollovers
- IRA Plans
- Retirement income strategies
- Retirement plan participants
- Annuities
Investing
- Asset Management
- Wealth Planning
- Traditional Investments
- Alternative Investments
- Impact Investing
Family
- Estate Planning Strategies
- 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Special Needs Planning
- Trust Services
Business Planning
- Succession Planning
- Business Planning
- Qualified Retirement Plans
Philanthropy
- Endowments
- Foundations
- Donor Advised Funds
- Impact Investing
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3Investors 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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