My Story and Services

Eric Cherkauskas is a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley, where he began in the spring of 2026. In this role, he works closely with individuals, families, and institutions to develop sophisticated financial strategies designed to address complex wealth management needs, including investment management, lending, and long-term financial planning.

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Eric spent over 20 years at JP Morgan Private Bank located in Washington DC. There, he partnered with clients to help grow and preserve wealth across generations, providing tailored advice and access to a wide range of financial solutions. He coordinated specialist resources across the firm and was instrumental in delivering comprehensive strategies aligned with clients’ long-term goals.

Eric has over 26 years of service in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, where he served as a Field Artillery Officer and Battalion Commander. He continues to serve on the Board of Directors for the National Guard Association of the United States as the Area II Army representative.

He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance from Temple University and holds Series 7, 63, and 65 licenses. Eric also served on the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Advisory Council for the President of the Military Officers Association of America.

Eric resides in Springfield, Virginia with his family.
Services Include
Securities Agent: ME, ID, WV, ND, MT, IN, CT, AR, AL, WA, VA, PA, HI, CO, UT, TN, OR, NJ, TX, NE, NC, OK, CA, AZ, AK, VT, MI, MD, MA, GA, DE, WY, RI, PR, OH, NM, FL, DC, WI, VI, SD, NV, NH, MO, IA, SC, NY, MS, MN, LA, KY, KS, IL; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

My Process

As your dedicated Financial Advisor, I create a personalized financial strategy tailored to your goals and evolving needs, using a clear, step-by-step planning approach. I serve individuals and families, primarily business owners, as well as clients in the government, and families focused on generational wealth, nonprofit organizations, and members of the military community and veteran service organizations.

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    Step 1: Discovery

    I take time to fully understand you and your family's needs and goals. Whether you're planning for retirement, purchasing a home, or living out your retirement years - I take into account your aspirations, challenges, risk tolerance and other factors to help me develop your financial plan.

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    Step 2: Formulating Your Strategy

    Using your goals as a guide, I create a detailed strategy with recommendations aimed to help you grow, preserve, and transfer your wealth. I use proprietary financial planning tools in tandem with your personal priorities to help formulate a plan that fits your needs.

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    Step 3: Implementing Your Plan

    In this step, I present the strategy I created for you. Upon your approval, I begin to implement the strategy using the firm's world class platforms.

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    Step 4: Monitoring and Evaluation

    Continuing the conversation allows me to help ensure that your current goals are top of mind when working on your wealth management strategy. I monitor your plan and portfolio to help make certain your assets are positioned to align with your changing circumstances.

Pursing Your Goals, Together

As your Financial Advisor, I work one-on-one with business owners to help align business decisions with personal financial goals—today and over the long term. Whether you're considering a transition of ownership, preparing for a potential sale or liquidity event, evaluating financing needs, or making sense of equity compensation, I'll help you clarify your options, coordinate next steps, and stay focused on what matters most to you and your family. Pursuing Your Goals together means having a dedicated partner to guide you through the planning, the milestones, and the moments that can define your legacy.

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    Succession Planning

    Ownership of a business can represent years, sometimes decades of arduous work and commitment. Nevertheless, business owners are often unfamiliar with the complexities and preparation that go into a successful succession strategy. Whether you are contemplating an IPO, merger with another company, private sale, or succession within the family I am here to help you develop and execute a successful exit strategy.

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    Business Financing & Planning

    You have meaningful goals. I can help you reach them. For over 85 years Morgan Stanley has collaborated with individuals, families, businesses, and institutions to deliver services and solutions that help build, preserve, and manage wealth.

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    Morgan Stanley at Work

    Workplace financial solutions that help employees achieve their life goals. Our comprehensive offering spans Equity, Financial Wellness and Retirement solutions, plus Financial Empowerment, so your workforce can realize the full potential of their benefits.

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    Equity Compensation 101

    When you own company equity, you become a shareholder in your company. Equity programs vary widely, so it is important to understand the details and how it fits into your financial plan.

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What We Provide

Here at Morgan Stanley, we strive to simplify complex financial ideas so that our clients understand what is being done on their behalf to plan for their financial future. We are firm believers of giving our clients quality resources as possible so they can stay informed about the latest market trends, outlooks, and breakdowns. Morgan Stanley seeks to make complex financial ideas more digestible so that our clients understand what is being done on their behalf to plan for their financial future, and why.

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    Wealth Management Capabilities

    Our team at Morgan Stanley has exclusive access to vast resources, combined with our unique capabilities, giving us the means to support your goals at every life stage. Our commitment to building, preserving and managing wealth of our clients forms the foundation of everything we do.

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    Estate Planning

    Our Team looks at all aspects of an individual's estate to understand the potential income tax and estate planning attributes of the vehicles. The goal is for the client and his or her investment professionals to make more informed investment decisions looking at their estate plan holistically.

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    Pre-Liquidity Event Planning

    Liquidity events such as an initial public offering or a merger or acquisition may provide income and estate planning opportunities. Liquidity events also magnify the need to put in place or update certain essential estate planning documents. It is important to consider and implement income tax and wealth transfer strategies prior to a potential liquidity or sale event.

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    Executive Compensation: Stock & Stock Options

    Executives today are increasingly compensated with stock or stock options. It is critical that an executive understands the risks of investing financial assets and the potential reward of preferential income tax treatment. The following is a general overview of some of the basic rules applicable to stock and stock options.

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    Alternative Investments

    Our Team is highly skilled and experienced in providing clients with support through alternative investments. Learn how Morgan Stanley's comprehensive strategies, diverse talent and global resources can provide you with the opportunity to achieve your financial goals.

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    Home Loans

    As a Morgan Stanley client, you have access to our dedicated Home Loans team, who will work with you to explore the right solution for your home financing needs.

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    Donor Advised Funds

    Donor-advised funds (DAFs) offer a flexible way to manage charitable giving by allowing individuals to contribute assets and recommend grants to nonprofit organizations. They provide tax benefits and the ability to support causes over time. Morgan Stanley offers a platform for clients to manage DAFs, with options for investment and administrative support.

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    Tax Management

    The tax decisions you make today can help you save for years to come. There are many tax smart strategies for your financial plan.

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Digital Resources for Clients

Morgan Stanley's comprehensive suite of digital resources has carefully been designed to help enhance each aspect of your financial portfolio. Take some time to learn about some of the many Modern Wealth Management resources that we offer to our clients.

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    Morgan Stanley Online

    Your investments and everyday finances are always just a few clicks away with Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) and the Morgan Stanley mobile app! Access your finances and invest in an instant with the help of this handy resource that is available 24/7.

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    Total Wealth View

    Complete your financial profile with Total Wealth View. By linking your external account information, you will benefit from more educated and holistic wealth planning, along with convenient connectivity.

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    MS Reserved

    Reserved Living & Giving is a tiered complimentary loyalty program that rewards clients with over one million dollars in assets and liabilities invested at the firm. The program is designed to enhance your lifestyle and relationship with the firm beyond traditional wealth management services.

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    The GIC Weekly

    The Global Investment Committee's Lisa Shalett headlines this weekly look at markets, asset class performance and fixed income.

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    On the Markets

    Detailed Market commentary from Morgan Stanley's thought leaders on topics such as global equities, fixed income, monetary policy and more.

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Location

11951 Freedom Dr
Suite 1200
Reston, VA 20190
US
Direct:
(703) 456-6006(703) 456-6006
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
A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup
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A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup

Checking in on your retirement plan may make a lot of sense, especially when market volatility arises.

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
Iran Conflict: Seven Takeaways for Investors
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Iran Conflict: Seven Takeaways for Investors

Prolonged conflict with Iran could lead to higher oil prices, hotter inflation and greater market uncertainty.

Family

Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
  • Estate Planning Strategies
  • 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Trust Services
529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education
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529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education

Though education costs continue to climb, starting to save and invest early can make a difference.

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.

Philanthropy

Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
  • Endowments
  • Foundations
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Impact Investing
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving

There's more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here's one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Eric Cherkauskas today.
1Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or 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 legal matters.

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

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2Alternative 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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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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4Morgan 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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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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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6Municipal 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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7Morgan 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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8Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or 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 legal matters.

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9Structured 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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10Morgan 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.

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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 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)