Gregory Zappas
Executive Director, Private Wealth Advisor
Phone:
(949) 760-2465(949) 760-2465
Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
Gregory Zappas
Executive Director, Private Wealth Management,
Private Wealth Advisor
Direct:
(949) 760-2465(949) 760-2465
My Mission Statement
To help wealthy families, family office clients, entrepreneurs, and corporate executives through their investment and wealth management needs.
Working with You
I have the privilege to work with highly accomplished entrepreneurs, ultra-high net-worth families, family office clients, and corporate executives. My average family relationship is over $10 million and I advise on total assets of over $200 million as of January 2024.
Most of my clients are in the process of building substantial legacies and look to us for sophisticated investment strategies and thoughtful tax, trust, and estate planning considerations. I help them walk through the action steps we can take today to work toward their business and personal aspirations.
I believe that the true value of our work together stems from the value of listening. Having a complete understanding hones the advice that I’m able to offer and contributes to the creation of a more comprehensive plan. I am passionate about working with those who want to leave a legacy and align their efforts with their values. To this end, I will work with you to align aspects of your portfolio with any positive environmental, social, and/or governance impact you are seeking.
Most of my clients are in the process of building substantial legacies and look to us for sophisticated investment strategies and thoughtful tax, trust, and estate planning considerations. I help them walk through the action steps we can take today to work toward their business and personal aspirations.
I believe that the true value of our work together stems from the value of listening. Having a complete understanding hones the advice that I’m able to offer and contributes to the creation of a more comprehensive plan. I am passionate about working with those who want to leave a legacy and align their efforts with their values. To this end, I will work with you to align aspects of your portfolio with any positive environmental, social, and/or governance impact you are seeking.
Securities Agent: NY, TX, WA, CA, RI, MA, IL, AZ, FL, NV, CO, VA, AL, UT; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2574354
NMLS#: 2574354
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
About PWM
Founded in 1977, Private Wealth Management is the division of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management that is dedicated to serving the firm’s most affluent clients, including some of the world’s most accomplished entrepreneurs, executives and stewards of multigenerational wealth. Functioning as an exclusive investment boutique within a global financial firm, we deliver sophisticated solutions that leverage the intellectual capital and insight of Morgan Stanley’s substantial global resources. Drawing on a deep understanding of your financial life, our goal is to help you:
- Manage investments with an unwavering focus on your financial strategy and personal goals
- Create comprehensive, multigenerational wealth management plans based on your needs, challenges and the values that guide your life and legacy
- Simplify financial complexity to help you achieve clarity and control
Private Wealth Management Highlights
- Approximately 300 teams1 specialized in assisting individuals and families with $20MM+ in investable assets
- Over $775 billion in AUM1
- Comprising 25% of the Barron’s Top 100 Financial Advisors list for 2023
- Direct access to ultra high net worth experts in philanthropy, family dynamics, wealth transfer, lifestyle advisory and other areas of interest to ultra high net worth families
1 Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, December, 2023
Source: Barron's.com (April 2023) 2023 Barron's Top 100 Financial Advisors awarded in 2023. This ranking was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Barron's during the period from Dec 2020 - Dec 2021. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors paid a fee to Barron's to obtain or use the ranking. This ranking is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and quantitative criteria, including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion. Rankings are based on the opinions of Barron's and this ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience. This ranking is not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is not affiliated with Barron's. Barron’s is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company, L.P. All rights reserved.
Family Office Capabilities
We deliver the full range of expertise to help address different aspects of your financial life: strategies to invest assets, but also to mitigate taxes, transfer wealth, enhance philanthropic impact, reduce family conflict, and manage the affluent lifestyle.
Estate Planning and Business Succession
The key to determining which trust, tax, and estate strategies to execute is to understand the interplay of personal and exogenous factors. Liquidity events such as an initial public offering or a merger or acquisition may provide income and estate planning opportunities.
The Phases of Estate Planning
Family Governance and Education
Having a mechanism in place such as a family mission statement, a family constitution, or an investment policy statement can offer critical parameters and guidelines to make decisions as a collective. We work with you to find your way to becoming your own generation, with your own voice.
Why an Investment Policy Statement Matters
Lifestyle Services
We provide bespoke solutions and access to knowledgeable, highly personal specialists to help meet your exceptional needs, from the everyday to the extraordinary, such as: travel and concierge services, health and security advisory, tangible asset management, personal enrichment, and financial administration.
Signature Access Lifestyle Advisory
Philanthropic Advisory
We believe that philanthropy must be more than checkbook writing. That is why we encourage philanthropic conversations with our team and your family to discuss values, motivations, visions, and to develop a mission statement is an effective step to achieving long term philanthropic engagement.
Charitable Giving Strategies
Trust Planning
The road to financial well-being and success is an evolving one with three key phases that require careful planning and long-term commitment: Wealth accumulation, wealth preservation and wealth transition.
Tax, Trust, and Estate Planning Overview
Monetization Planning
Monetizing a privately held company requires seamless coordination of your personal wealth management
and business monetization strategies.
Planning Your Exit Strategyand business monetization strategies.
Business Transition
For many business owners, the eventual sale of their business is an integral part of their financial planning. As with the rest of your finances, it is important to construct a roadmap for your business and ensure that it is aligned with your personal aspirations.
Investment Strategy
After the sale of your business, your finances will likely carry a different look. You may have more cash at your disposal to invest and your continued exposure to your business may lead to future payments. Depending on your equity in the business, it may be worth considering ways to mitigate concentration risk. We can discuss diversification, strategic selling, and gifting.
Risk Management
Through this process, it's important to consider how to protect your wealth. Part of the equation may include tailoring your insurance coverage to better reflect your new circumstances. The ownership structure of your assets, using trusts, and using a strategic insurance program could be beneficial in your overall financial plan.
Estate Planning
Planning for what happens when after you're gone is key to protecting your legacy. After transition, consider creating or updating your estate plan. We can discuss durable financial powers of attorney, a trusted person who can act on your behalf to ensure financial matters are taken care of, a last will to help articulate your wishes, and a trust to help you further describe how you would like your wealth to be handled.
Approach
Step 1: Discovery Process
Investing the time to learn about you and your family; your assets and liabilities and the risk exposures, enables us to formulate strategies and customize the relationship to your needs.
Step 2: Formulation of Tax, Trust and Estate Strategy
Working with your tax and legal advisors, we help analyze your income and estate tax circumstances to identify and tailor planning techniques that may be used to address your objectives.
Step 3: Creation of Customized Strategic Asset Allocation
Your customized asset allocation reflects risk, opportunities and taxation across multiple entities, while integrating your investing and estate plans.
Step 4: Integration of Tactical Asset Allocation
Short-term adjustments seek to capitalize on temporary market distortions. Before making adjustments, we analyze the impact of taxes and trading costs on potential returns.
Step 5: Implementation of a Customized Wealth Strategy
After comprehensive due diligence and analysis of expected results across multiple market scenarios, strategies are chosen from our expansive investment platform.
Step 6: Ongoing Assessment
In coordination with your other advisors, we can conduct ongoing reviews and comprehensive reporting to ensure that your strategy adapts to changing financial and family needs.
Location
800 Newport Center Dr.
Ste 500
Newport Beach, CA 92660
US
Direct:
(949) 760-2465(949) 760-2465
Meet My Team
Gina Nguyen
PWM Portfolio Associate
Phone:
(310) 788-2112(310) 788-2112
About Gregory Zappas
Greg Zappas is an Executive Director and Private Wealth Advisor with Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management, where he focuses on ultra-high net worth families, family office clients, entrepreneurs, and corporate executives. He works as a consultant for his clients', diving deep into their circumstance and aligning their objectives with their broader investment management, private banking, and estate planning needs.
Greg grew up in New York in Hastings-on-the-Hudson and, when his family moved to Medfield, MA, he finished high school there. He then went on to Pace University in New York City to obtain a B.B.A. in accounting and tax while working for his uncle in accounting during the day.
After graduating from Pace, Greg moved to San Francisco in 1985 and began his career with Security Pacific Corporation in different roles, ultimately being promoted and moving to San Diego to work with Pacific Century Advisors, institutional investors, managing predominantly pension funds. Greg was in charge of the marketing department.
Greg migrated from the institutional side to the personal side of business, working for Bankers Trust Company in Los Angeles for the next five years of his career, and ultimately went on to work for U.S. Trust Company for 15 years. After a series of increasingly responsible positions, Greg was promoted to head up the marketing and sales department for U.S. Trust's Western Region.
Following some time at Merrill Lynch, Greg moved to UBS Private Wealth Management Group in Newport Beach, CA, in 2011. Afterward, Greg joined First Republic Private Wealth Management in 2019, which would later be acquired by JPMorgan Chase. In an ever-changing financial environment and while supporting an expanding client-base with sophisticated needs, Greg ultimately transitioned to Morgan Stanley, one of the nation's leading firms to help clients with their personal wealth. With insights of seasoned investment professionals, a premier trading and execution platform, and thoughtful solutions for various wealth management needs, Greg looks forward to leveraging Morgan Stanley's vast pool of resources and insights.
Outside of the office, Greg and his wife live in Laguna Niguel, CA. His two children are now adults and living on their own, so Greg and Sarah spend a great deal of time volunteering at their church, and with other charitable organizations. He regularly participates in Stanford University's Executive Division program. In addition, Greg was the founder and board member of St. Anne School in Laguna Niguel for eight years, followed by five years at J. Serra Catholic High as a board member. He has a longstanding relationship with AYSO both as a soccer coach and commissioner for the league. Greg is also the former president of St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine. Greg is a member of The Farms Golf club in Ranch Santa Fe and the Andalusia Country Club in La Quinta, CA. He is also an avid runner and has competed in two New York City marathons and the Boston marathon.
Greg grew up in New York in Hastings-on-the-Hudson and, when his family moved to Medfield, MA, he finished high school there. He then went on to Pace University in New York City to obtain a B.B.A. in accounting and tax while working for his uncle in accounting during the day.
After graduating from Pace, Greg moved to San Francisco in 1985 and began his career with Security Pacific Corporation in different roles, ultimately being promoted and moving to San Diego to work with Pacific Century Advisors, institutional investors, managing predominantly pension funds. Greg was in charge of the marketing department.
Greg migrated from the institutional side to the personal side of business, working for Bankers Trust Company in Los Angeles for the next five years of his career, and ultimately went on to work for U.S. Trust Company for 15 years. After a series of increasingly responsible positions, Greg was promoted to head up the marketing and sales department for U.S. Trust's Western Region.
Following some time at Merrill Lynch, Greg moved to UBS Private Wealth Management Group in Newport Beach, CA, in 2011. Afterward, Greg joined First Republic Private Wealth Management in 2019, which would later be acquired by JPMorgan Chase. In an ever-changing financial environment and while supporting an expanding client-base with sophisticated needs, Greg ultimately transitioned to Morgan Stanley, one of the nation's leading firms to help clients with their personal wealth. With insights of seasoned investment professionals, a premier trading and execution platform, and thoughtful solutions for various wealth management needs, Greg looks forward to leveraging Morgan Stanley's vast pool of resources and insights.
Outside of the office, Greg and his wife live in Laguna Niguel, CA. His two children are now adults and living on their own, so Greg and Sarah spend a great deal of time volunteering at their church, and with other charitable organizations. He regularly participates in Stanford University's Executive Division program. In addition, Greg was the founder and board member of St. Anne School in Laguna Niguel for eight years, followed by five years at J. Serra Catholic High as a board member. He has a longstanding relationship with AYSO both as a soccer coach and commissioner for the league. Greg is also the former president of St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine. Greg is a member of The Farms Golf club in Ranch Santa Fe and the Andalusia Country Club in La Quinta, CA. He is also an avid runner and has competed in two New York City marathons and the Boston marathon.
Securities Agent: NY, TX, WA, CA, RI, MA, IL, AZ, FL, NV, CO, VA, AL, UT; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
About Gina Nguyen
Gina Nguyen is a Portfolio Associate at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management, joining the firm in 2017. Gina works alongside team members to onboard new clients, execute trades, conduct investment related research, and maintain client accounts. She strives to provide clients with professional care and individualized attention.
Gina earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
She currently resides in Irvine, CA and enjoys cooking, traveling, and practicing calligraphy.
Gina earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
She currently resides in Irvine, CA and enjoys cooking, traveling, and practicing calligraphy.
The Power of Partnerships
By partnering with experienced individuals across wealth disciplines, Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors can align specialized resources with your custom needs and deliver strategic guidance through the familiarity and trust of existing relationships
Jonathan Chen
Private Banker
Sean Todd
Associate Private Banker
About Jonathan Chen
Jonathan Chen is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management in the San Francisco, Menlo Park, and Los Angeles area. He previously served as a Private Banker in the Pacific Northwest – Seattle, WA.
Private Bankers partner with 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.
Jonathan began his career in financial services in 2004 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2014. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Citigold Relationship Manager at Citibank. He also served as a Premier Client Manager and a Branch Manager at Bank of America.
Jonathan is a Bay Area native and currently resides in Union City, CA with his wife and two children. Outside of the office, he enjoys traveling, playing golf and watching sports.
Private Bankers partner with 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.
Jonathan began his career in financial services in 2004 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2014. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Citigold Relationship Manager at Citibank. He also served as a Premier Client Manager and a Branch Manager at Bank of America.
Jonathan is a Bay Area native and currently resides in Union City, CA with his wife and two children. Outside of the office, he enjoys traveling, playing golf and watching sports.
NMLS#: 765586
About Sean Todd
Sean Todd is an Associate Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in California.
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.
Sean began his career in financial services in 2000, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2018 as an Associate Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Private Banker at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Sean lives in Los Angeles, California with his family.
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.
Sean began his career in financial services in 2000, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2018 as an Associate Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Private Banker at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Sean lives in Los Angeles, California with his family.
NMLS#: 634213
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
Managing Significant Wealth
- Investment Management
- Wealth Transfer & Philanthropy
- Cash Management & Lending
- Family Governance & Wealth Education
- Lifestyle Advisory
- Business Services
Funding Climate Action: Pathways for Philanthropy
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Insights and Outcomes
Thought Leadership for our ultra high net worth clients, which contains thought-provoking articles, authored by leading experts from Morgan Stanley Family Office Resources.
Private Wealth Management Podcast
Bringing you engaging stories and key insights surrounding the complexities associated with significant wealth, including:
- Intergenerational Planning
- Philanthropic Giving
- Non-Traditional Assets
- Managing Family Wealth
LISTEN | Passion Assets: Investing in Art
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We look forward to discussing your needs and goals, and the exceptional resources we can place at your disposal.
1Asset Allocation does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining financial markets.
2Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and its affiliates and their employees (including Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors) are not in the business of providing tax or legal advice. These materials and any statements contained herein should not be construed as tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their personal tax advisor or attorney for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving personal trusts and estate planning.
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
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee.
Asset Allocation does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining financial markets.
The securities/instruments, investments and investment strategies discussed on this website may not be suitable for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment or investment strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. The views and opinions expressed on this website may not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). This website and its associated content are intended for U.S. residents only.
Morgan Stanley and its Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Visitors to this website 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.
Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Advisers may only transact business in states where they are registered or excluded or exempted from registration. Transacting business, follow-up and individualized responses involving either effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made to persons in states where Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Advisers are not registered or excluded or exempt from registration.
See the Financial Advisors Biographies for Registration and Licensing information.
Certified Financial Planner™ Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® (with flame logo)® in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP® Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. owns the marks CIMA®, Certified Investment Management Analyst® (with graph element)®, and Certified Investment Management Analyst® .
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers insurance products in conjunction with its licensed insurance agency affiliates.
Life insurance, disability income insurance, and long-term care insurance are offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC's 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.
Private Bankers are employees of Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association.
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
Awards Disclosures
2Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and its affiliates and their employees (including Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors) are not in the business of providing tax or legal advice. These materials and any statements contained herein should not be construed as tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their personal tax advisor or attorney for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving personal trusts and estate planning.
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
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee.
Asset Allocation does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining financial markets.
The securities/instruments, investments and investment strategies discussed on this website may not be suitable for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment or investment strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. The views and opinions expressed on this website may not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). This website and its associated content are intended for U.S. residents only.
Morgan Stanley and its Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Visitors to this website 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.
Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Advisers may only transact business in states where they are registered or excluded or exempted from registration. Transacting business, follow-up and individualized responses involving either effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made to persons in states where Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Advisers are not registered or excluded or exempt from registration.
See the Financial Advisors Biographies for Registration and Licensing information.
Certified Financial Planner™ Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® (with flame logo)® in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP® Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. owns the marks CIMA®, Certified Investment Management Analyst® (with graph element)®, and Certified Investment Management Analyst® .
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers insurance products in conjunction with its licensed insurance agency affiliates.
Life insurance, disability income insurance, and long-term care insurance are offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC's 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.
Private Bankers are employees of Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association.
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
Awards Disclosures
CRC 6295606 (3/2024)
