My Story and Services

Dave’s finance career began way before his first official title at Smith Barney in '96, and even before he received his BSBA Concentration in Finance from the University of Richmond. Growing up, Dave walked to his mother’s brokerage office after school most days, to help her in her early career. He always admired his mother & how she so valiantly began her finance career in such a male-dominated field. Dave witnessed firsthand the impact his mother’s expertise had on their family & her clients.

Dave knew he would one day join her side. After graduating college and serving a year in the U.S. Army, the time had finally come. Dave’s father shortly joined too, creating The Armstrong group, a father-mother-son team trio at Morgan Stanley.

After 30+ years, Dave’s parents have now retired, and he has continued with his practice as an individual Financial Advisor, Senior Vice President, with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER CFP® designation. His business strategy is centered around his ability to act as a teacher to his clients, breaking down his investment ideas and taking the time to explain exactly how it will get them closer to reaching their financial goals.

Dave has 2 daughters in college, and a dog named Daisy. He currently resides in Whitehouse Station New Jersey and spends time in Charleston SC with his girlfriend who also went to University of Richmond. Outside of work Dave enjoys spending time with his girls, hiking, mountain biking, and exercising. He also sponsors the Iron Girl Project, an organization that benefits young women athletes.

“The best feeling is when I get the honor of sitting down with a client after we’ve reached one of their goals, goals that we’ve worked so very hard to accomplish.” – David Armstrong.


2013-2024 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
Source: fivestarprofessional.com (Awarded 2013-2024) These awards were determined through an evaluation process conducted by Five Star Professional, based on objective criteria, during the following periods:

2024 Award - 3/13/23 - 9/29/23
2023 Award - 3/21/22 - 10/18/22
2022 Award - 4/12/21 - 10/15/21
2021 Award - 3/30/20 - 10/23/20
2020 Award - 3/1/19 - 10/16/19
2019 Award - 3/21/18 - 10/12/18
2018 Award - 2/21/17 - 10/12/17
2017 Award - 2/25/16 - 10/7/16
2016 Award - 4/15/15 - 10/16/15
2015 Award - 4/15/14 - 10/16/14
2014 Award - 4/15/13 - 10/16/13
2013 Award - 4/15/12 - 10/16/12

Awards Disclosures: https://www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/awards-disclosure.html
Services Include
Securities Agent: KS, IL, VT, OR, TN, PA, NY, NC, GA, CA, AL, IN, FL, DC, AZ, SC, WA, VA, UT, TX, OK, MA, DE, OH, MD, NH, KY, CO, NJ, LA, WV, RI, MO, MI; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1272702
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

My Process: The Armstrong Method

Step 1: Discovery & Goal Setting
Let's start with an in-depth conversation to clarify and determine your wants, needs, and values. It is critical for me to fully comprehend all aspects of your life that influence your financial decisions and goals. Everyone is unique, so every financial plan should be as well.
Step 2: Analysis, Strategy, and Planning
We use a variety of financial planning and risk analysis tools to perform a thorough review of your financial status. We then create a thorough financial strategy that will assist you in creating, protecting, and transferring wealth in accordance with your goals.
Step 3: Implementation
Your assets will be transferred to Morgan Stanley once you give your approval. We start implementing the additional techniques we described in your plan once they are in line with your investment strategy.
Step 4: Ongoing Monitoring
Maintaining & strengthening our relationship is of top priority. We keep in touch with you frequently to give you account updates. Additionally, we track your progress toward each of your objectives and modify your financial strategy as necessary as things change in your life.

modern wealth management tools

The wide range of digital tools provided by Morgan Stanley have been carefully compiled to aid in enhancing each component of your financial portfolio. Learn more about a few of the many resources we offer our clients for contemporary wealth management.
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    Morgan Stanley Online (MSO)
    Morgan Stanley Online allows you to seamlessly and securely manage your investments and everyday finances all in one place.
    Learn More About MSO
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    Online Security Center
    Learn about our latest security measures, how we are safeguarding your assets and personal information and find actionable insights and resources on important cybersecurity topics to enhance your own online security.
    Visit Our Security Center
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    Total Wealth View
    Total Wealth View can help you complete your financial picture. Your financial planning will be more informed, your data access will be more secure, and you'll have easier connectivity if you link your accounts. With TWV, your financial planning strategy only becomes more secure.
    Learn More About Total Wealth View
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    Digital Vault
    Digital Vault lets you easily and securely manage and share important documents such as account statements, authorizations, tax filings and other relevant documents with your Financial Advisor.
    Get Started Today
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    Goals Based Planning System (GPS)
    Our Goals Planning System (GPS) is an innovative platform built on Morgan Stanley's intellectual capital and capabilities, to provide our clients with comprehensive investing and planning solutions for their individual goals.
    Learn More About GPS
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    eDelivery
    Sign up for eDelivery today and start receiving email notifications as soon as your account documents are available on Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) or the Morgan Stanley Movile App. It's quick, convenient, & secure.
    Learn More About eDelivery

Navaigating Your Life

Our wealth management process begins with you, your investment objectives and your financial goals. Holistic in its approach, it may encompass all the elements of your financial life - your investments and your cash management needs - making sure they align with your goals and wealth management plan.

At Morgan Stanley, we understand that the goals you set today will evolve over time. Your plan will evolve with them - and with the changing circumstances of your life.
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    Retirement Planning
    Retirement Planning is a core component of wealth management. Certain steps should be taken to prepare for a wide range of future costs such as living expenses, travel costs, and education funding. We can assist clients with this planning by quantifying financial needs, creating an action plan, and tracking plan progress. Creating a retirement plan is one of those significant life events. We offer retirement advice with the aim to keep you on track and consistent with your goals.
    Planning Your Goals
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    Aladdin - Intelligent Risk Management
    There’s a chance your portfolio may be at risk, but how you manage that risk is what matters.

    Portfolio Risk Platform – Powered by Aladdin is a risk management platform that provides comprehensive risk estimation and reporting across a broad range of asset classes and security types. This platform provides both an overview and a detailed view to better enable risk to be effectively monitored and managed.
    Learn More About Aladdin
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    LifeView Intelligent Planning
    A realistic, comprehensive strategy that incorporates all facets of a person's financial life, including investments and cash management requirements, can be developed using the LifeView suite of planning tools, which includes goal-specific analyses.
    Learn More About LifeView
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    Goals-Based Planning: Stay on Track
    Don’t worry if your financial goals look out of reach now based on what you’ve saved. There are ways to adjust course that are easier than you may think.
    How to Stay on Track
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    Financial Planning
    Your goals, assets, liabilities, and other important information are gathered & analyzed. We then use our perspective and experience with other unique clients like you to make recommendations on spending, giving, and living.
    Explore Our Financial Planning Resources
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    Alternative Investments
    Our leading alternatives platform offers 160+ third-party and proprietary funds, including first look and exclusive opportunities, that may help qualified investors enhance returns, reduce volatility, manage taxes and generate income- while maintaining a goals-based approach for asset allocation.
    Learn More About Alternative Investing
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    Directed Trusts: Estate Planning
    Discover how a directed trust can be a valuable tool in your estate plan.
    Learn More
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    Spending and Budgeting Tool
    One way to manage savings is by using Morgan Stanley’s Spending and Budgeting tool. These tools help advisors monitor client cash flows across both internal and external accounts. It also tracks spending patterns and produces an income and expense analysis to help clients achieve their goals by adjusting their spending behavior when necessary.
    Access Our Spending & Budgeting Tool

Tax-Efficient Strategies

Here at Morgan Stanley, we work hard to make complex financial concepts understandable for our clients so that they can comprehend what is being done on their behalf to plan for their financial future. We aim to offer our clients as many resources as we can so they can stay up to date on the most recent market trends, projections, and breakdowns. The resources listed below offer in-depth analyses on fascinating subjects influencing the business and finance worlds.
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    How to Access Your Tax Forms
    How to Access Your Tax Forms
    1. Log into your account via Morgan Stanley Online
    2. Click the Accounts tab
    3. Select the Documents tab
    4. Go to the Statement drop-down tab
    5. Select Tax Documents and download them
    Log in to Morgan Stanley Online
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    Tax-Efficient Portfolios
    Morgan Stanley Portfolio Solutions/Parametric Tax Efficient Portfolios are designated for high-net-worth investors seeking a tax-managed, diversified portfolio. Portfolios are monitored, evaluated, and rebalanced to maintain diversification and react to changing market conditions. Some key benefits include tax efficiencies, clarity by combining multiple asset classes in one account, and confidence with asset allocation advice deriving from the Global Investment Committee, so your portfolio is aligned with the firm's best thinking.
    Learn More About Tax-Efficient Portfolios Here
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    Tax-Smart Strategies for Retirement
    Looking for ideas on how to be more tax efficient when planning for your retirement?
    View the Strategies Here
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    Total Tax 365
    Taxes can be a substantial drag on investment returns. Morgan Stanley Total Tax 365 offers access to a broad range of tax-efficient strategies to help you integrate tax planning into your investment process all year long, maximize portfolio after tax-return potential and help keep more of what you earn.
    Learn More About Total Tax 365
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    2025 Tax Tables
    View the 2025 Tax Tables for important dates & deadlines.
    View the 2025 Tax Tables
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    Tax Management Services
    Morgan Stanley can help you minimize the effect of taxes on your portfolio through a spectrum of tax solutions and services.
    Learn More About Tax Management @ MS
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    Tax Manage Your Investments
    Establishing a tax management strategy for your investments may help you keep more of your returns.
    Learn More

Location

200 Route 31 N
2nd Floor
Flemington, NJ 08822
US
Direct:
(908) 483-9525(908) 483-9525
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

Ready to start a conversation? Contact David Armstrong today.
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.

1Alternative 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.

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2Investors 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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3Morgan 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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4Municipal 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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5Morgan 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.

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6When 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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7Structured Investments are complex and not appropriate for all investors. An investment in structured investments involves risks. These risks can include but are not limited to: fluctuations in the price, level or yield of underlying asset(s), interest rates, currency values and credit quality, substantial loss of principal, limits on participation in appreciation of underlying asset(s), limited liquidity, credit risk, and/or conflicts of interest. Many structured investments do not pay interest or guarantee a return above principal at maturity. Investors should read the security’s offering documentation prior to making an investment decision.

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8Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

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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)