My Story and Services

As your Financial Advisor, I can help you define and strive to meet your goals by delivering a vast array of resources to you in the way that is most appropriate for how you invest and what you want to achieve. Working together, I can help you to preserve and grow your wealth. You will have access to some of the world’s most seasoned and respected investment professionals, a premier trading and execution platform and a full spectrum of investment choices.
Securities Agent: WV, TX, CA, AZ, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, MA, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, SC, VA, VT; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1275714
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

WORKING WITH YOU

To be truly effective, your plan must reflect the totality of your personal and financial life. My role is to help ensure that your investment objectives are consistent with your financial concerns and your long-term goals.

My four step process was developed to help you achieve that goal:
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    1. Setting Your Financial Objectives
    Through a process of discovery and discussion, I will work with you to articulate your wealth goals. Together, we will examine your current and future liabilities, income sources and cash flow needs, and then consider factors that might influence your overall strategy, including tolerance for risk, tax concerns, liquidity needs and time horizon. Through careful analysis, I will look for potential gaps that may exist between your goals, and develop sound strategies to help clear the path.
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    2. Creating Your Strategy
    Working from my understanding of you and your objectives, I will propose a financial plan that contains specific strategies designed to help meet those goals. My advice may encompass issues such as alternative investments, retirement planning, tax minimization potential and wealth transfer.
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    3. Implementing Your Strategy
    After discussing and refining your strategy, I will work closely with you to bring the elements to life. Planning is a vital part of our process. Using tools to actively monitor your plans progress, making sure you are on track to meet your financial goals and objectives. Whatever the approach may be, I will help you keep your strategy on track.
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    4. Reviewing Objectives & Performance
    I view ongoing communications as the foundation of my successful collaboration with you. I will make every effort to stay aware of your changing financial needs and provide viable strategies to help you meet them. This means reviewing your portfolio together at your request when circumstances change, I will work with you to revise your strategy and reposition your assets to reflect your new needs and goals.

ALTERNATIVES DEEP DIVE

Specializing in Alternative Investments, I provide individuals and institutions access to world-class strategies spanning private equity, real assets, private credit, hedge funds and digital assets. These strategies may deliver differentiated sources of return relative to traditional equity and fixed income investments, as well as offer potential for tax efficiency. Potential benefits of alternatives include:

• Diversification of holdings
• Driven portfolio growth
• Generation of income
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    What Are Alternatives?
    Explore investments beyond traditional portfolios. With unmatched experience, scale and reach across our vast global network. Morgan Stanley is an industry leader in alternative investments - providing access to exclusive offerings, preeminent fund managers and innovative investment opportunities. Investments include but are not limited to:

    • Private Equity
    • Real Estate & Infrastructure
    • Hedge Funds
    • Private Credit
    • Managed Futures
    • Exchange Funds
    Learn More
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    6 Opportunities in Alternative Strategies
    In the current environment, strategies that worked before may not be effective. Alternative investments could play a valuable role in your portfolio. Here are six strategies that can guide investor's thinking on alternative investing in the near to intermediate term:

    1. Seeking investments that provide alternatives to fixed income
    2. Reaching for excess return using appropriate hedge funds
    3. Capturing value in private markets with secondaries
    4. Looking for complementary sources of return in private credit
    5. Finding opportunity in health care innovation
    6. Finding value in corporate stress
    Learn More
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    Alternative Investments - Innovative Strategies for Your Portfolio
    What if you could tailor your portfolio to your goals while giving your financial strategy an edge? With Alternative Investments, you may be able to achieve this. View the following video to learn more.
    Learn More

DIGITAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT TOOLS

Morgan Stanley's comprehensive suite of digital tools are designed to enhance every aspect of your financial life. Here are a few of the technologies we have to offer our clients.
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    Morgan Stanley Online
    Beyond viewing your account balance and activity, Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) has a suite of features that allow you to manage your everyday finances from paying bills and sending money to transferring funds and authorizing transactions with eAuthorizations.
    Learn More About Morgan Stanley Online
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    Total Wealth View
    It’s hard to see the complete picture with only half the details. As a Morgan Stanley client, you can now conveniently view your accounts from other financial institutions on Morgan Stanley Online or by using the Morgan Stanley Mobile App, giving you a more complete financial picture.
    Learn More About Total Wealth View
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    Morgan Stanley Mobile App
    Securely access your Morgan Stanley account from virtually anywhere. Simply download it on your mobile device and use your Morgan Stanley Online username and password to log in. From there you will have resources of MSO on the go.
    Learn More About Our Mobile App
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    Digital Vault
    Easily and conveniently manage and share life’s most important documents, such as wills, deeds and estate plans, as well as financial statements and tax filings. Digital Vault allows for easy document sharing, convenient access, and encrypted files.
    Access Digital Vault
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    eAuthorizations
    With eAuthorizations, you can electronically authorize domestic and international, one-time/recurring transactions through Morgan Stanley Online and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App within minutes.
    Enroll in eAuthorizations
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    eDelivery
    eDelivery provides you with the ability to view statements and other Firm documents electronically in lieu of paper. Clients who are registered in Morgan Stanley Online may enroll in eDelivery.
    Enroll in eDelivery

MEDIA AND RESEARCH

Here at Morgan Stanley, we strive 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. We are firm believers of giving our clients as many resources as possible so they can stay informed about the latest market trends, outlooks, and breakdowns. The links below provide detailed analysis on interesting topics that are affecting the finance and business worlds.
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    Earnings, The Fed and Consumer Spending
    With all the volatility surrounding the banking sector, the Fed raising rates and the continued debt ceiling debate, are consumers finally pulling back on spending?
    Learn More Here
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    The Age of AI and Other Trends in Tech and Beyond
    AI beyond the hype, a potential breakthrough in health tech, a near-term opportunity in PCs and more trends in technology and beyond.
    Learn More Here
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    5 Unexpected Investment Ideas for 2024
    Consider these contrarian views on key topics of interest to investors, including airline demand, copper supply, decarbonization’s investment potential and more.
    Learn More Here
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    Asia Equities Rally Once More
    After a correction that took place in recent months, Asia and emerging markets are once again rallying. But how have these regions sustained their ongoing bull markets?
    Learn More Here
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    GIC Weekly Report
    The Global Investment Committee's Lisa Shalett headlines this weekly look at markets, asset class performance, and fixed income.
    Read the Latest Report
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    On The Markets Report
    Detailed market commentary from Morgan Stanley's thought leaders on topics such as global equities, fixed income, monetary policy, and more.
    Read the Latest Report
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    Thoughts on The Market Podcast
    With perspectives on the forces shaping the market, join Mike Wilson, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Equity Strategist for Morgan Stanley, as he and his colleagues discuss a variety of viewpoints regarding the latest trends in the financial marketplace.
    Listen to the Latest Episode
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    Morgan Stanley Ideas Podcast
    The Morgan Stanley Ideas Podcast brings you revealing stories about the world of business, finance, technology, and beyond.
    Listen to the Latest Episode
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    Basic Estate Planning
    Estate planning can be an emotionally and financially complex task, but a well-informed plan can make a big difference for your loved ones.
    Learn More Here
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    Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust
    By transferring a life insurance policy into an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT), you can remove the policy's value from your taxable estate, ensuring that the proceeds pass to beneficiaries free of estate taxes while also offering flexibility in managing the distribution of assets through the trust structure.
    Learn More Here
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    Grantor Retained Annuity Trust
    GRATs provide a mechanism for asset transfer while allowing you to receive annuity payments over a set period, minimizing estate and gift taxes.
    Learn more Here
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    2024 Tax Tables
    This helpful resource outlines the 2024 Income Tax Tables. With tax season seemingly always right around the corner, it's best to be as informed as possible.
    Access the 2024 tax tables

Client Service Team

    Christopher R Sherwood
    Phone:
    (203) 326-6949(203) 326-6949
    Email:Christopher.Sherwood@ms.com

Location

4 Landmark Square 2nd
Floor
Stamford, CT 06901
US
Direct:
(203) 326-6928(203) 326-6928
Toll-Free:
(877) 249-0147(877) 249-0147
Fax:
(203) 967-7006(203) 967-7006
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
4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
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4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

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
2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
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2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

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
Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse
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Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse

Financial planning after a divorce or death can be trying, but with the right approach and the right advice you can turn a difficult situation into empowerment.

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 J Shepard today.
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:
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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.

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Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)