Chris Coats
Assistant Vice President, Wealth Management Associate
The Cohen Group
Managing Director, Wealth Management,
Financial Advisor,
Certified Investment Management Analyst,
Lending Specialist
Direct:
(321) 751-2039(321) 751-2039
Industry Award WinnerMy Mission Statement
We work with a handful of wealthy families, providing boutique-level service, thoughtful advice and help with every financial decision or transaction.
Our Story and Services
For individuals and families who have achieved the highest level of success, it’s important to have a financial advisor whose services extend far beyond investing in mutual funds or retirement planning. You need advice and services for a wide range of wealth management issues, from managing the complexities of major purchases to debt structuring, business management, wealth transfer and much more. The Cohen Group at Morgan Stanley is specifically focused on serving clients like these. We work with a limited number of families (around 40), which enables us to provide an exceptional level of service. Our clients have significant wealth and often prefer to focus their investment portfolios on wealth preservation. They may want help with cash flow transitions after major financial or lifestyle events. And they count on thoughtful advice for every financial issue, from purchasing a yacht to selling a business. Because we work with a small network of clients, we get to know them well, and can assist with family matters surrounding wealth. We think of our clients as the CEO of an organization, for which we do the legwork and make concise recommendations. By offering such a diverse range of services, we help our clients live the lives they choose, confident that their wealth is being handled with thoroughness, professionalism, courtesy and care.
David Cohen is the lead financial advisor of The Cohen Group. He has been working with successful individuals and businesses for more than 30 years. His approach to wealth management is comprehensive – he assists an exclusive group of clients with every decision involving money.
David spent more than 20 years at Merrill Lynch, then moved to Morgan Stanley. Since then, he has chosen to work as a sole practitioner because he wants to offer his services and thoughtful advice to every client. He has one unbreakable rule: he will never leave the office before every client call is returned.
David is a graduate of Bowling Green University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He also received his Certified Investment Management Analyst certification from Wharton.
David believes in supporting those in need in his community. He founded the Children’s Hunger Project Brevard to help feed school-aged children during the weekends when they cannot access school lunch programs – despite its wealth, Brevard County has a food insecurity problem that David wants to help combat. He also spent 10 years as the organization’s Chairman and continues to sit on their advisory board.
Outside the office, David enjoys a range of activities such as golf, tennis, boating, offshore fishing, and downhill skiing. He is married to his wife, Jill, and they have four children between them – Casey, who is in graduate school for aerospace engineering at the University of Central Florida; Bodie, who is studying for his commercial pilot license at Auburn; Jack, who is studying computer science at Florida Polytechnic; and Nicholas, who is a sophomore at Florida Prep Academy High School.
Lifestyle Advisory Services: Products 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.
David Cohen is the lead financial advisor of The Cohen Group. He has been working with successful individuals and businesses for more than 30 years. His approach to wealth management is comprehensive – he assists an exclusive group of clients with every decision involving money.
David spent more than 20 years at Merrill Lynch, then moved to Morgan Stanley. Since then, he has chosen to work as a sole practitioner because he wants to offer his services and thoughtful advice to every client. He has one unbreakable rule: he will never leave the office before every client call is returned.
David is a graduate of Bowling Green University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He also received his Certified Investment Management Analyst certification from Wharton.
David believes in supporting those in need in his community. He founded the Children’s Hunger Project Brevard to help feed school-aged children during the weekends when they cannot access school lunch programs – despite its wealth, Brevard County has a food insecurity problem that David wants to help combat. He also spent 10 years as the organization’s Chairman and continues to sit on their advisory board.
Outside the office, David enjoys a range of activities such as golf, tennis, boating, offshore fishing, and downhill skiing. He is married to his wife, Jill, and they have four children between them – Casey, who is in graduate school for aerospace engineering at the University of Central Florida; Bodie, who is studying for his commercial pilot license at Auburn; Jack, who is studying computer science at Florida Polytechnic; and Nicholas, who is a sophomore at Florida Prep Academy High School.
Lifestyle Advisory Services: Products 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.
Securities Agent: CA, WY, VA, TX, TN, SC, PA, OH, NY, NC, MD, MA, LA, IN, IL, FL, DE, CO, AZ, AK; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1285373
NMLS#: 1285373
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Serving the needs of wealthy individuals and families
With significant wealth comes financial complexity.
Our clients have financial interests, both personal and commercial, that require the assistance of a professional team to manage properly.
Many are current or former business owners or chief executives, who may have concentrated stock positions or are planning for a transition in cash flow.
They may be looking at investing in a rental property or commercial real estate.
Or purchasing a luxury item that needs special handling – an exotic car or yacht, for example, that requires additional insurance.
They have family wealth issues, such as passing wealth to subsequent generations, or ensuring proper stewardship of a family legacy.
Our clients may have varied and specific objectives when it comes to investing – many are focused on wealth preservation while also seeking exciting opportunities.
Most of all, our clients seek advice and knowledge about every kind of decision involving money, from the big issues (managing investments) to the small ones (finding a painter for a second home).
The Cohen Group was specifically engineered to assist clients like these. We have intentionally limited our roster of clients to ensure that we can provide senior-level advice and service at all times. We tell clients that we are here to help with any decision involving money.
We have the bandwidth, knowledge and focus on service to help our clients live the life they choose.
Our clients have financial interests, both personal and commercial, that require the assistance of a professional team to manage properly.
Many are current or former business owners or chief executives, who may have concentrated stock positions or are planning for a transition in cash flow.
They may be looking at investing in a rental property or commercial real estate.
Or purchasing a luxury item that needs special handling – an exotic car or yacht, for example, that requires additional insurance.
They have family wealth issues, such as passing wealth to subsequent generations, or ensuring proper stewardship of a family legacy.
Our clients may have varied and specific objectives when it comes to investing – many are focused on wealth preservation while also seeking exciting opportunities.
Most of all, our clients seek advice and knowledge about every kind of decision involving money, from the big issues (managing investments) to the small ones (finding a painter for a second home).
The Cohen Group was specifically engineered to assist clients like these. We have intentionally limited our roster of clients to ensure that we can provide senior-level advice and service at all times. We tell clients that we are here to help with any decision involving money.
We have the bandwidth, knowledge and focus on service to help our clients live the life they choose.
Examples of how we assist our clients
Any financial advisor can manage an investment portfolio. Our clients have demands that extend far beyond traditional needs. The best way to explain how we assist our clients is to provide a brief and partial list of examples:
• For a client investing in a multi-family complex: we provided advice on financing options and insurance companies.
• For a client selling a business: we uncovered and analyzed multiple boutique investment banks to represent the client in the sale.
• For a client transitioning from owning a business: we reconfigured their cash flow planning to reflect the adjustment in regular income.
• For a client purchasing a yacht: we created a cost/expense analysis for the hard and soft costs, as well as maintenance and crew.
• For a client planning for long-term care for family members: we accessed our extensive network of professionals to locate a specialist, then vetted the selected options.
And of course, we provide innovative, comprehensive and highly personal investment advice and management for every client.
Our goal is to provide our clients with both a “40,000 foot view” and get down into the weeds of every financial decision.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers insurance products in conjunction with its licensed insurance agency affiliates.
Lifestyle Advisory Services: Products 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 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
• For a client investing in a multi-family complex: we provided advice on financing options and insurance companies.
• For a client selling a business: we uncovered and analyzed multiple boutique investment banks to represent the client in the sale.
• For a client transitioning from owning a business: we reconfigured their cash flow planning to reflect the adjustment in regular income.
• For a client purchasing a yacht: we created a cost/expense analysis for the hard and soft costs, as well as maintenance and crew.
• For a client planning for long-term care for family members: we accessed our extensive network of professionals to locate a specialist, then vetted the selected options.
And of course, we provide innovative, comprehensive and highly personal investment advice and management for every client.
Our goal is to provide our clients with both a “40,000 foot view” and get down into the weeds of every financial decision.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers insurance products in conjunction with its licensed insurance agency affiliates.
Lifestyle Advisory Services: Products 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 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
Investing in service of your objectives
Creating, maintaining and adjusting an investment portfolio is a core service at The Cohen Group at Morgan Stanley. However, our approach is tailored toward the specific needs of our clients.
We build portfolios that typically aim for wealth preservation. We create diversification through asset classes, with the goal of maintaining stability through the inevitable ups and downs of the market.
As current or former owners and/or senior executives, many of our clients have highly concentrated stock positions. We work to implement hedging strategies to decrease the volatility of their holdings.
We assist our clients with sophisticated investment strategies including structured investments, managed futures, real estate, and many others.
We have access to Morgan Stanley’s robust platform for alternative investments. And we are increasingly committed to Investing with Impact, so clients can use their wealth to align with their personal values.
In every case, we provide completely customized, highly personal portfolios to match your specific goals and objectives, and provide attentive maintenance in response to evolving needs and markets.
For more information please visit
https://www.morganstanley.com/what-we-do/wealth-management/alternative-investments/
Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.
We build portfolios that typically aim for wealth preservation. We create diversification through asset classes, with the goal of maintaining stability through the inevitable ups and downs of the market.
As current or former owners and/or senior executives, many of our clients have highly concentrated stock positions. We work to implement hedging strategies to decrease the volatility of their holdings.
We assist our clients with sophisticated investment strategies including structured investments, managed futures, real estate, and many others.
We have access to Morgan Stanley’s robust platform for alternative investments. And we are increasingly committed to Investing with Impact, so clients can use their wealth to align with their personal values.
In every case, we provide completely customized, highly personal portfolios to match your specific goals and objectives, and provide attentive maintenance in response to evolving needs and markets.
For more information please visit
https://www.morganstanley.com/what-we-do/wealth-management/alternative-investments/
Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.
A partial list of our services
Estate planning strategies:
• Family office capabilities
• Mission statement
• Family governance
• Family endowments
• Conflict management
• Wealth education
• Wealth preservation
• Family dynamics and legacy
• Wealth transfer
Access to cash management and lending:
• Securities based lending
• Tailored lending solutions
• Residential mortgage loans
• Access to cash management
Philanthropy management:
• Individual and family giving
• Private and corporate foundations
• Nonprofits
Lifestyle advice
Health and security advice
Tangible asset management
Financial administration
• Family office capabilities
• Mission statement
• Family governance
• Family endowments
• Conflict management
• Wealth education
• Wealth preservation
• Family dynamics and legacy
• Wealth transfer
Access to cash management and lending:
• Securities based lending
• Tailored lending solutions
• Residential mortgage loans
• Access to cash management
Philanthropy management:
• Individual and family giving
• Private and corporate foundations
• Nonprofits
Lifestyle advice
Health and security advice
Tangible asset management
Financial administration
Location
8150 North Wickham Road
Melbourne, FL 32940
US
Direct:
(321) 751-2039(321) 751-2039
Meet My Team
Maria Reino
Portfolio Associate, Senior Registered Associate
Phone:
(321) 751-2016(321) 751-2016
About Chris Coats
Chris is the first point of contact for our clients for a multitude of services. A seasoned professional, she helps clients with day-to-day transactions, account management, performance reporting and many other functions.
Chris has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry and has been a valued member of the Cohen Group for 18 years.
Chris earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina. She is registered as a General Securities Representative, a Uniform Securities Agent, an Investment Advisory Representative and a Commodities Broker.
Outside the office, Chris enjoys photography, yoga and is an avid soccer mom. She has lived in Melbourne since 2000 with her husband, Tony, and their twin boys, Alex and Nick, who are soccer fanatics and play year-round.
Chris has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry and has been a valued member of the Cohen Group for 18 years.
Chris earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina. She is registered as a General Securities Representative, a Uniform Securities Agent, an Investment Advisory Representative and a Commodities Broker.
Outside the office, Chris enjoys photography, yoga and is an avid soccer mom. She has lived in Melbourne since 2000 with her husband, Tony, and their twin boys, Alex and Nick, who are soccer fanatics and play year-round.
Awards and Recognition
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams Source: Forbes (Awarded Jan 2026) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based for the period 3/31/24-3/31/25.
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
2024-2026 Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2024-2026). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.
2
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Cohen Group today.
1Morgan 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.
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.
3Morgan Stanley’s investment advisory programs may require a minimum asset level and, depending on your specific investment objectives and financial position, may not be appropriate for you. Please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC program disclosure brochure (the “Morgan Stanley ADV”) for more information in the investment advisory programs available. The Morgan Stanley ADV is available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV.
4Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a business of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.
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 Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
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 | Morgan Stanley
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.
3Morgan Stanley’s investment advisory programs may require a minimum asset level and, depending on your specific investment objectives and financial position, may not be appropriate for you. Please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC program disclosure brochure (the “Morgan Stanley ADV”) for more information in the investment advisory programs available. The Morgan Stanley ADV is available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV.
4Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a business of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.
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 Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
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 | Morgan Stanley
CRC 4665150 (8/2025)
