

Fred J Catalano, CFP®, CRPS®, QPFC

My Mission Statement
My Story
I bring a lifetime of experience to my role as a wealth management professional. As an industry veteran with more than 35 years' experience, I have worked with highly successful executives, business owners, retirees and folks from all walks of life providing personalized advice through a disciplined approach based on extensive research and attention to detail. With a diverse background in Accounting, Economics and Finance, I help you understand and navigate the intricacies of creating and preserving wealth. I focus on what is most important to you and your family, and build a strategy designed to achieve your goals and enable your wealth. I provide my clients with a comprehensive strategy that addresses all of their specific goals. My Accounting background allows for tax efficiency. My Certified Financial Planner ™ designation allows me to develop creative strategies and my extensive professional network allows me to coordinate and collaborate with other professionals to create the desired outcomes you seek.
I combine two important skills that are often difficult to find in one financial advisor: The ability to work through unique and often complicated family dynamics around your wealth and the insights to build and manage an investment portfolio that is aligned with your goals and values. Over the course of my career, I have earned a number of important industry credentials, including Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), the recognized standard of excellence for personal financial planning. This credential certifies that I have mastered the rigorous education, examination, experience and ethics requirements required by the Certified Financial Planner® Board of Standards, an independent professional regulatory organization. My emphasis on family financial planning – combined with a keen understanding of macro-economic trends – enables me to take the mystery out of the markets, delivering a disciplined approach to smart money management for your family and the generations that follow.
I am also a Corporate Retirement Director at Morgan Stanley. As one of only a handful of Morgan Stanley advisors bestowed with this title, I specialize in providing retirement plan solutions to companies all over the United States. Retirement plans are an employee benefit but is some cases plans can be designed to provide excellent tax shelters to business owners. Becoming a CRD is no easy task. There are rigorous standards the firm requires you to meet and recertify each year. In addition to being a CRD, I also have my QPFC (Qualified Plan Financial Consultant) designation as sponsored by NAPA (National Association of Plan Advisors).
Getting started is easy. It begins with a conversation. I look forward to discussing how I can create the lifestyle and legacy you envision for you and your family.
About Me:
I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in finance. In eighth grade, I asked my parents to subscribe to the New York Times so I could study the stock market. I wanted to understand how changes in the economy made an impact on the stocks I was following. Upon graduating from CW Post College, where I earned a degree in Accounting and Economics, I began my career at Merrill Lynch as an Accountant. It is here where I discovered my love of research. In 2002, I joined Smith Barney (now Morgan Stanley) for the opportunity to work more directly with clients and use my research skills to guide them towards the achievement of their goals.
Throughout my career, I have remained committed to professional development, earning such important industry credentials as my Certified Financial Planner™ and Chartered Retirement Planning Specialist® designations. I am also a Corporate Retirement Director and Family Wealth Advisor at Morgan Stanley and earned an MBA from St. John's University.
I grew up in Syosset and now live with my wife in Huntington, where we raised our two adopted sons, biological brothers originally from Siberia. I active in several endeavors close to my heart: International Adoption, suicide prevention and animal rights.
- Asset Management
- Estate Planning StrategiesFootnote1
- Business Succession PlanningFootnote2
- Wealth ManagementFootnote3
- Planning for Education FundingFootnote4
- Corporate Pension FundsFootnote5
- Endowments and FoundationsFootnote6
- Financial PlanningFootnote7
- Corporate Retirement PlansFootnote8
- Lending Products
- LGBT+ Planning ServicesFootnote9
NMLS#: 1279185
Clients
Over the years, I have developed a strong and active practice that includes a diverse group of clients, including:
• Families spanning multiple generations
• Retirees and individuals planning for retirement
• Successful professionals, corporate executives and business owners
• Women seeking guidance for themselves and their families
• Referrals from existing clients and industry professionals
While each client has unique goals and circumstances, they all have one thing in common: The desire to simplify their finances and develop an integrated wealth strategy for now and the future.
I strive to provide the knowledge and insights they need to succeed in today’s fast-paced world, so they may enjoy their wealth and leave the legacy they desire.
Location
The Power of Partnerships
About Dominique Hicks
Dominique began her career in financial services in 2015 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2022. Prior to her current position, she acquired a great deal of acclamation & recognition for her work in Private Client and Small Business at JP Morgan Chase Bank. She continued to grow as a resource and joined Merrill Lynch later as a Financial Advisor.
Dominique graduated from SUNY Old Westbury with a bachelor’s in accounting and holds her Certified Financial Planner® designation. Dominique lives in Stony Brook, NY and cherishes spending time with her loved ones. She is a loving mother of two, adores practicing yoga with her kids and volunteers as a mentor for young college women.
About Andrew Bertalli
Andrew began his career in financial services in 2000 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2022. Prior to his current position, Andrew served high-net-worth clients for over 17 years. Andrew also has worked at Charles Schwab, USAA, and TIAA.
Andrew Bertalli graduated from Saint Francis College and has a Bachelor of Science in Business. Andrew holds his Certified Financial Planner® designation. Andrew lives on Long Island with his wife and children. Outside of work, Andrew likes to keep fit and spend time with his family. Andrew holds a private pilot license and served in the US Navy.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC 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 visit us at http://www.morganstanleyindividual.com or consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences.
About Kathleen Kowlessar
Associate Private Bankers partner with Private Bankers and 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.
Kathleen began her career in financial services in 2013, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2022. Prior to joining the firm, she was a Store Manager at the TD Bank.
Kathleen is a graduate of the Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College, where she received a Master of Science in Finance and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management. She lives in Garden City, New York with her family. Outside of the office, Kathleen enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and trying new foods.
6 Financially Smart Ways to Start 2025
Portfolio Insights
Retirement
- 401(k) Rollovers
- IRA Plans
- Retirement income strategies
- Retirement plan participants
- Annuities
Investing
- Asset Management
- Wealth Planning
- Traditional Investments
- Alternative Investments
- Impact Investing
Family
- Estate Planning Strategies
- 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Special Needs Planning
- Trust Services
Business Planning
- Succession Planning
- Business Planning
- Qualified Retirement Plans
Philanthropy
- Endowments
- Foundations
- Donor Advised Funds
- Impact Investing
Retirement for Plan Sponsors
We can provide the tools and guidance to help you manage a retirement plan.
- Plan Evaluation
- Investment Management
- Plan Management Support
- Plan Participant Education
Financial Wellness
- Reduce employee stress,
- Improve retention and engagement, and
- Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
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 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.
3Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.
4When 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 always check with their tax or legal advisor before engaging in any transaction involving 529 Plans, Education Savings Accounts and other tax-advantaged investments.
5Morgan 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.
6Morgan 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.
7Morgan 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.
8When 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.
9Morgan 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.
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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.
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