About Us

An experienced wealth management professional, Damon has been a vital member of the Morgan Stanley family since 2006. Prior to joining the firm, he worked in the financial services industry since 1999. He also obtained his Certified Financial Planner™ professional designation in 2005.

Damon’s disciplined planning process begins with asking the right questions and actively listening. This information then serves as the foundation for the development of a custom financial plan that reflects his clients’ goals for the future. If a particular situation requires specialized knowledge, he utilizes the global resources of Morgan Stanley to identify and deliver the expertise needed.

Damon is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. Damon lives in the Dr. Phillips area with his daughter. Favorite activities include boating and spending time with family.

Employed with Morgan Stanley since 2006
Obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in 2005
Services Include
Securities Agent: MD, IN, PR, NV, GA, CA, NY, ME, NC, IL, CT, AR, WA, TX, NM, MO, MI, MA, KY, VI, SC, MT, HI, FL, AL, OK, IA, DC, CO, AZ, WI, RI, OR, NJ, NH, DE, TN, MN, KS, WV, VA, OH, LA, PA, MS; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1265007
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

MY FIVE STEP PROCESS

At Morgan Stanley, we believe that identifying solutions begins with a solid understanding of each situation, goals, objectives, and risk tolerance. We follow a disciplined process that allows us to work with you to craft a solution that helps your individual financial needs:
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    Step 1: Introduction Call
    Our relationship begins with an initial discussion aimed towards getting to know you, your lifestyle, and your future goals.
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    Step 2. Understanding You Meeting
    We will work together to establish your financial goals by first reviewing your current financial situation and developing an appropriate risk tolerance that can help you achieve the financial outcome you envision for yourself.
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    Step 3. Strategy Development
    This is our time to utilize the information you have provided and our modern wealth management tools to develop a unique strategy. Our strategies are always personalized to provide recommendations to help you grow, preserve, and transfer your wealth.
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    Step 4. Presentation & Implementation
    For this step, we will present the personalized plans that are designed to work towards the objectives we had set. Once you understand and approve the strategy, we will take the necessary steps to open accounts with Morgan Stanley and start to implement our investment plan.
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    Step 5. Ongoing Service
    Finally, monitoring your assets and analyzing your performance tracking data seeking to ensure your financial expectations are being met and adjusted accordingly. We will keep a high degree of communication with you to make sure your concern and request are always addressed.

COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL PLANNING

Regardless of what stage your life is in - moving ahead in your career, enjoying retirement, or somewhere in between - as your Financial Advisors, we can help you achieve your financial goals.

Using a suite of tools that includes goal-specific analysis, we can work with you to create a realistic, holistic strategy that integrates the various aspects of your financial life, including your investments and cash management needs.

We can create your personal roadmap to help achieve and protect your goals — a framework that makes the connection between your life goals and your financial resources, and provides a baseline for future discussions.
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    2022 Tax Tables
    This helpful resource outlines the 2022 tax rate schedule, education and health savings account limits, retirement contribution and deduction limits, among other information. With tax season seemingly always right around the corner, it's best to be as informed as possible.
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    Mange Debt
    We thoroughly review your mortgage, car loans, credit cards, and any other debts that you may have in order to help determine where you can save on interest and create a timeline for your debt payments by prioritizing which ones should be paid off first.
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    Insurance
    We take an extremely close look at your financial profile to decipher what type(s) of insurance most fit your needs, and determine if your current insurance policies are best suited for you and your goals.
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    Retirement
    Leading up to and through retirement, we help you identify the most appropriate ways to obtain the income you need and help ensure that you are on track to achieve for financial goals.
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    Estate Planning Strategies
    Regardless of your current financial circumstances, it is crucial to have a backup plan for your money. We regularly review your finances with you and coordinate with your estate attorney to help ensure that your wishes are met in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible.
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    Managing Investments
    We take care of your retirement accounts and other investments based on your comfort level with risk and your current tax circumstances, tailoring your financial strategy to your unique situation, needs, and goals.

MODERN WEALTH MANAGEMENT TOOLS

Morgan Stanley's comprehensive suite of digital tools that are designed to enhance every aspect of your financial portfolio. Here are a few examples of the many Modern Wealth Management resources that are offered to our clients.
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    Goals-Based Planning
    Our goals-based planning system (GPS) is built on intellectual capital and capabilities to provide our clients with a comprehensive solution for their unique goals. GPS is an intuitive and efficient platform to ensure clients will have a successful financial plan.
    Learn More About Goals-Based Planning
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    Portfolio Risk Platform
    Our Portfolio Risk Platform is powered by Blackrock's Aladdin engine, a risk management platform that provides comprehensive risk estimation and reporting from a holistic view of your portfolio.
    . Learn More About Managing Your Risk
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    Online Security Center
    At Morgan Stanley, we value safeguarding your assets and personal information from outside threats. We encourage to read about our security measures and the use of our resources to protect you.
    Learn About Yourself
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    Morgan Stanley Online
    Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) offers a suite of features and services that allow you to manage your everyday finances from one place. Everything accessible under one platform to assist staying on top of all your financial accounts.
    Learn About Morgan Stanley Online

Client Service Team

    Alyssa McBee - Client Service Associate
    Phone:
    (407) 849-4741(407) 849-4741
    Email:Alyssa.Mascia@morganstanley.com
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    Sam Staab - Wealth Management Associate
    Phone:
    (407) 849-4783(407) 849-4783
    Email:Sam.Staab@morganstanley.com
    Samantha is a 2012 graduate of the University of Central Florida where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, with a minor in Business Administration. She joined the Citrus Group in 2014 and currently holds the Series 3, 7, and 66 licenses. Samantha enjoys welcoming our new clients, helping them manage their accounts and strives to provide superior client service when answering questions or providing support.

    At UCF, Samantha volunteered as a student advisor in the Psychology Advising Office.  She was also a research assistant to the Human Factors lab and a member of the Psi Chi National Honor Society. Born in Portland, Oregon and raised in Jacksonville, Samantha currently lives in Orlando.  She enjoys personal wellness, cooking, yoga and photography. She is an avid traveler, visiting France, Spain, Lebanon, China, Ireland, England and many places throughout the United States.
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    Melanie Shor - Registered Client Service Associate
    Phone:
    (407) 849-4786(407) 849-4786
    Email:Melanie.Shor@morganstanley.com

Location

201 E Pine St
11th Fl
Orlando, FL 32801
US
Direct:
(407) 849-4722(407) 849-4722

The Power of Partnerships

By partnering with experienced individuals across wealth disciplines, Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors can align specialized resources with your custom needs and deliver strategic guidance through the familiarity and trust of existing relationships

About Brian Kerns

Brian Kerns is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in Florida.

Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.

Brian began his career in financial services in 2004, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2018. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Senior Premier Banker at SunTrust. He also served as a Wealth Management Banker at the Merrill Lynch.

Brian is a graduate of the University of North Florida, where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management. Brian resides in Lake Mary, Florida with his wife and children. Outside of the office, he enjoys playing golf and coaching his son T-ball team.
NMLS#: 663185
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Financial Advisers can conduct their business in several ways: individually, as a member of a team of Financial Advisors, or through the formation of a Strategic Partnership with another Financial Advisor or team of Financial Advisors. A Strategic Partnership is an arrangement between a Financial Advisor or a team of Financial Advisors with another Financial Advisor or team of Financial Advisors that has a unique focus or knowledge regarding a specific business concentration, product area, and/or client type. If your account is with an individual Financial Advisor, that Financial Advisor services all facets of your account. If your account is with a Financial Advisor who is a member of a team, any Financial Advisor on the team can service your account. If your Financial Advisor is part of a Strategic Partnership, his or her role in that Strategic Partnership may be limited to a specific business and/or product area and may not cover all facets of your account. The use of the terms “Partner” or “Strategic Partner” and/or “Partnership” or “Strategic Partnership” are used as terms of art and not used to imply or connote any legal relationship.

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.

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.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Damon Nicholson today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

1When 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.

For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.

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2Municipal bonds may not be appropriate for all investors. Income generated from an investment in a municipal bond is generally exempt from federal income taxes. Some income may be subject to state and local taxes and to the federal alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to tax.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and its Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide any tax/legal advice. Consult your own tax/legal advisor before making any tax or legal-related investment decisions.

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3Morgan 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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4Investors 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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5Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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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), 3582895 (6/2024)