Cincinnati Branch Office

Alec Ardito is the Executive Director and Branch Manager at Morgan Stanley’s Cincinnati Branch Office in Ohio. With over 30 years of experience in the financial industry, Alec has built a career centered on empowering others to break boundaries and reach new heights. His role is not just about managing a team but about unlocking potential — connecting advisors to the firm’s global resources and championing the success of every client they serve.

Alec’s leadership philosophy is built on “servant leadership” — a commitment to knowing his team personally, building deep trust, and being a tireless advocate. He believes that by fostering a culture of support, encouragement, and innovation, people are free to think differently, embrace bold ideas, and achieve their goals in ways they never thought possible. Alec’s passion is helping others realize the greatness already inside them.

In 2013, Financial Planning named Alec a Top Ten Bank Program Manager nationwide.[1] Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles in cities across the country, including Boston, Salt Lake City, Naples, and Palm Beach. Alec began his journey in wealth management as a Financial Advisor, eventually serving as a Sales Manager, Complex Director, Market Executive, and Private Wealth Manager before taking on his current role. This diverse experience has given Alec a broad, firsthand perspective, allowing him to approach leadership with a deep understanding of client needs, advisor challenges, and team dynamics. He holds a BA in Accounting from the University of Cincinnati.

Outside of work, Alec resides in Cincinnati with his wife, Amy. Passionate about community leadership, he has served on the boards of The Museum of Fine Art at the University of Utah and United Way in Naples and Palm Beach. In his free time, he and Amy enjoy spending time in the mountains, hiking, biking, and cooking together. They also cherish their time with their grand-nieces and nephews, as well as their cat, Kosmo.

Kathy Morman is an Assistant Vice President and Business Service Officer at Morgan Stanley’s Cincinnati Branch Office. With nearly three decades of experience in the financial industry, she is dedicated to managing support professionals and executing all business and service functions to elevate the client experience.

Throughout her extensive career, Kathy has built a reputation for her proactive approach and commitment to modernization. By focusing on the integration of new service standards, she plays a crucial role in enhancing client experiences and ensuring the Cincinnati Branch Office meets the highest expectations of care and professionalism.

Kathy is committed to shaping the future of service through collaboration and proactive leadership. She works closely with her team to define and achieve operational excellence, ensuring effective communication and training for service professionals. Additionally, she collaborates with Market Sales and Risk teams to ensure seamless execution across all business functions, while maintaining a strong focus on consistency, quality, and compliance. As a mentor and leader, Kathy helps foster an office environment where support professionals and financial advisors can thrive, empowering them to deliver outstanding service for clients.

Outside of work, Kathy loves spending time with her family, especially cheering on her favorite Cincinnati teams — the Reds, Bengals, and FCC. An avid golfer and reader, Kathy enjoys unwinding with a good book or hitting the greens whenever she can. She resides in Cincinnati with her husband, Rich, and their three children: Steven, Kate, and Megan.

Steve Meihaus is an Assistant Vice President and Risk Officer for Morgan Stanley's Wealth Management offices in Kenwood and Downtown Cincinnati. Since joining Morgan Stanley in 2022, Steve has leveraged his deep experience in managed account risk and trading supervision to help financial advisors and support teams navigate complex regulatory landscapes and ensure clients' assets are well-protected.

A graduate of Thomas More University (B.B.A. & M.B.A), Steve has spent nearly a decade focused on risk management and operational oversight. Before joining Morgan Stanley, he developed expertise in managing account risks and supervising high-stakes trading operations at Fidelity. His hands-on approach and attention to detail have been key to ensuring compliance with firm policies and industry regulations.

As a proud U.S. Army Veteran, Steve attributes his disciplined, mission-driven work ethic to his military service. His leadership experience in the Army ingrained in him a strong sense of responsibility, which he now applies to his role at Morgan Stanley. Steve ensures his team is always audit-ready and compliant, working proactively to maintain the highest standards. He collaborates closely with financial advisors and employees to foster a deep understanding of risk management strategies, simplifying the complexities of the regulatory landscape and making it easier to navigate.

Outside of work, Steve enjoys spending time with his family in Hebron, KY, where he resides with his wife Hannah and their kids, Camryn and Henry. A fan of both travel and home improvement, Steve spends his free time either exploring new places with his family or working on projects around the house.