Welcome

As a seasoned wealth management advisor, I understand the importance of family and the desire to leave a lasting legacy. For nearly 40 years, I have been providing tailored financial guidance and investment management strategies to successful individuals, families, small business owners and nonprofit organizations locally in New Jersey and across the country.

Financial Strategies for Life
I have dedicated my career to helping people like you define and achieve their long-term financial goals. I believe it is my responsibility to be aware of the changes in your life, so I can anticipate and respond strategically to new risks and emerging opportunities. The result is a coordinated financial and investment plan, updated regularly, that concentrates on meeting your particular wealth management goals today and for the generations that follow.

The “Close” Advantage
With passion and attention to detail, I guide you in making sound decisions about your wealth through ongoing education and a commitment to the best service possible. We begin with a deep understanding of what’s important to you, your family and your legacy. This information serves as the foundation for the development of a comprehensive financial plan, which includes important strategies to minimize taxes, save for retirement, invest your money, manage your estate and give to charitable organizations.

Getting Started Is Easy
I look forward to getting to know you and sharing details on how we can work together to enhance the quality of your financial life. My ultimate mission is to empower you to be more confident now in making important financial decisions, while enabling you to transfer wealth to future generations or your most cherished philanthropic interests.
Services Include
  • Wealth ManagementFootnote1
  • Philanthropic Services
  • Endowments and FoundationsFootnote2
  • Business Succession PlanningFootnote3
  • 401(k) Rollovers
  • Planning for Individuals with Special Needs
  • Estate Planning StrategiesFootnote4
NMLS#: 1262200
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

My Clients

Over the past 40 years, I have cultivated a strong and enduring practice that proudly represents my community. With clients local to the Morristown area and others who have moved across the country, I enjoy working with each family as if they are an extension of my own.

In addition to serving the specialized needs of both local and national foundations and endowments, I provide customized advice to a broad range of clients, including:

• Families spanning multiple generations
• Successful professionals, corporate executives and small business owners
• Retirees and individuals planning for retirement
• Individuals experiencing a large liquidity event, such as an inheritance or sale of a business
• Investors seeking opportunities to protect the environment through sustainable and impact investing strategies
• Families planning for special needs individuals or those with disabilities
• Referrals from existing clients and industry professionals

While each client has unique circumstances, they all have one thing in common: The desire to simplify their finances and develop an integrated wealth strategy that serves their current and future goals.
I am proud of the personalized service and attention to detail I provide each client and welcome the opportunity to deliver this same level of excellence to you and your family.

    Disciplined Process

    My results-driven process takes a 360 degree view of your wealth. This leads to solutions that are not only designed to reach specific financial targets, but are reflective of who you are and how you want to share your wealth.

    Step 1: Listen and Learn
    • Understand what is important to you and your family
    • Identify the values that shape your decisions
    • Learn about your investment experience and tolerance for risk
    • Uncover any challenges unique to your situation

    Step 2: Analyze and Assess
    • Collect important financial documents
    • Evaluate your current and future financial situation
    • Analyze current investment portfolio and identify any shortfalls
    • With your permission, reach out to your CPA and estate attorney to understand any existing tax and estate plans to ensure a coordinated and cohesive plan

    Step 3: Present and Implement
    • Develop an action plan with recommendations to help you grow, preserve and transfer your wealth
    • Present your plan, prioritizing activities and establishing timelines
    • Implement investment recommendations
    • Finalize critical wealth management strategies, including risk management, income planning and trust solutions

    Step 4: Deepen Our Relationship through Ongoing Service
    • Set up tools to provide convenient access to your accounts
    • Apply due diligence process to evaluate investment performance
    • Develop a call or meeting schedule to review and track progress towards your goals
    • Discuss changes in your life, adjusting your portfolio accordingly

      My Background

      I bring a lifetime of experience to my role as a wealth management professional. For more than 40 years, I have worked closely with highly successful individuals, families and nonprofit institutions, providing customized advice through a disciplined investment approach.

      My specialized skills in planned giving and business succession planning enable me to help my clients understand the intricate details of their wealth, so I can developed tailored strategies focused on achieving their particular goals, while leaving the legacy they desire.

      Throughout my career, I have remained committed to professional development. A graduate of the University of Virginia, I have earned such important designations as Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®), Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®), Chartered Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA®) and Certified Wealth Strategist (CWS®). These credentials demonstrate my ongoing commitment to a world-class client experience.

      I am a strong believer in giving back to my community and have been actively involved in community service my entire career. I am currently a member of the Morristown Rotary Club, the Planned Giving Advisory Council for the University of Virginia and the Estate Planning Councils of NYC and Northern New Jersey. Over the years, I have served as the Treasurer of the NY chapter of the Investment Management Consultants Association, the NJ Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Tewksbury Land Trust.

      In addition, I am a member of the Board of Directors of the NJ Council of Charitable Gift Planners and the NJ chapter of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners. I served on the Planned Giving Advisory Councils for many organizations, including the NY Presbyterian Hospital, the Hackettstown Region Medical Center, the NJ Symphony Orchestra, Georgian Court University, and local chapters of the American Heart Association and American Cancer Society.

        Commitment to Community

        Originally from Montclair, I am a long-time resident of Tewksbury Township, where I live with Deborah, my wife of 41 years, and where we raised our two grown children.

        With deep roots in my community and a deeper commitment to sustaining its character for future generations, I support a number of important local and national organizations that include the following:

        Board Memberships:
        • NJ Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP-NJ)
        • New Jersey Council of Charitable Gift Planners (NJCCGP)
        Planned Giving Advisory Council Memberships:
        • University of Virginia

        Member at Large:
        • Investment and Wealth Institute®, (IWI®, formerly IMCA®)
        • Association of Professional Investment Consultants (APIC)
        • Estate Planning Council of Northern New Jersey (EPCNNJ)
        • Estate Planning Council of NYC (EPCNYC)
        • Alblemarle County Rotary Club

        Morgan Stanley’s culture of global citizenship is something I embrace locally by leveraging our global resources in the communities where we do business. The firm invests in children’s health initiatives along with education, diversity and cultural programs that better our people and environment. I am proud to be a member of the Morgan Stanley family for nearly 40 years and carry on the firm’s tradition of supporting our local communities.
        Outside of the office, I enjoy playing Adult Men’s hockey year-round.

          Location

          1200 Mt Kemble Avenue
          Fl 2
          Morristown, NJ 07960
          US
          Direct:
          (973) 425-2309(973) 425-2309
          Wealth Management
          Global Investment Office

          Portfolio Insights

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          Read "On the Markets"

          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
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          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
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          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
          Learn More about Family
          529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education
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          Business Planning

          Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
          • Succession Planning
          • Business Planning
          • Qualified Retirement Plans
          Learn More about Business Planning
          Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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          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
          Learn More about Philanthropy
          Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving
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          Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving

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          Financial Wellness

          Enhancing Financial Wellness enables your workforce to do their best work. Companies that invest in financial wellness have an opportunity to:
          • Reduce employee stress,
          • Improve retention and engagement, and
          • Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
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          Ready to start a conversation? Contact Geoffrey Close today.
          Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
          1Morgan 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.

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

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          2Morgan 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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          3Morgan 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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          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 and other legal matters.

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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.

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          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.

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          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.

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          Awards Disclosures | Morgan Stanley
          CRC 4665150 (8/2025)