My Story

As a seasoned financial advisor, Jeff has firmly established a solid reputation for being well-versed in the myriad investments that can help clients achieve their goals and for staying up-to-date on the most effective strategies to help maximize the potential of those securities.

A member of the Pelican Bay Group since 2016, he provides a wide array of other services, including comprehensive financial planning, wealth management insight and effective problem solving and a high level of quality service and support to help clients attain the lifestyle they desire.

While Jeff is extremely qualified to work with all types of clients, he focuses primarily on high-net-worth individuals on the cusp of retirement, successful business owners and investors who would like to create a legacy while striving to securing wealth for future generations. He is especially adept at leading clients through life’s transitions and bridging the gap between financial challenges and aspirations.

In a career that has spanned more than a decade, Jeff has accumulated a plethora of credentials to serve his clients well. He’s a Certified Financial Planner™, a Certified Private Wealth Advisor®, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, Senior Portfolio Manager, a Workplace Advisor -- Equity Compensation and an Insurance Planning Director. He is licensed in Life, Annuity and Long-Term Care Insurance.

[The Certified Private Wealth Advisor® is an advanced professional certification for advisors who serve high-net-worth investors. It’s designed for seasoned professionals who seek the latest, most advanced knowledge and techniques to address the sophisticated wealth strategies, estate planning strategies, wealth transfer, behavioral finance, family dynamics, tax management, and legacy planning.]

Through the Yale School of Management, Jeff participated and completed the Wealth Management Theory & Practice CPWA® Certification Registered Education Program. Jeff also holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from St. Lawrence University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Clarkson University School of Business.

In 2018, Jeff was named to the firm’s prestigious Pacesetter’s Club, a global recognition program for financial advisors who, within their first five years, demonstrate the highest professional standards and first-class client service.
Services Include
Securities Agent: CT, DE, WY, UT, NH, NE, NV, TN, OH, RI, VA, SC, VI, VT, PA, LA, NM, GA, WA, OK, MD, MA, NC, WI, FL, CO, OR, MS, IN, CA, ME, MN, MI, IA, HI, KY, IL, SD, TX, WV, KS, AR, ID, NJ, AL, AK, DC, PR, ND, AZ, NY, MO, MT; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1393563
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Education, Experience, and Associations

Education and Licensing
  • Yale School of Management - CPWA® Certification Registered Education Program
  • MBA - Finance, 2003 Clarkson University School of Business Potsdam, NY
  • Reims School of Management, 2003 International Business Seminar Reims, France
  • BA - Economics, 1999 St. Lawrence University Canton, NY
  • University of California Extension FPA Residency Program 2012 Lake Arrowhead, CA
  • Certificate in Financial Planning Kaplan University, 2007-2009
  • Series 7 - NYSE/NASD General Securities Licensed
  • Series 31 - Futures Managed Funds
  • Series 63 - Uniform State Exam
  • Series 65 - Investment Advisory Agent
  • Life, Accident & Health Licensed
  • Long Term Care - NYS Partnership Certified
Experience
  • 2017 - Current: The Pelican Bay Group at Morgan Stanley
    Financial Advisor, CFP®, CDFA™, PFS
    Pittsford, NY
  • 2012 - 2016: Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
    Financial Advisor, CFP®, CDFA™, PFS
    Pittsford, NY
  • 2005 - 2012: RBS Citizens
    Sr. Financial analyst, Assistant Vice President
    Rochester, NY
  • 2003 - 2005: CH Energy Group
    Associate Forecast, Cost, & Rate Anayst
    Poughkeepsie, NY
Associations
  • Investments & Wealth Institute
  • CFP Board
  • Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts
  • Financial Planning Association Greater Rochester, NY
  • National Futures Association
  • 1000 Islands Antique Boat Museum Supporter
  • Former Rotary Club of Canandaigua, NY - Member (2013 - 2021)
  • Former Flower City Habitat for Humanity Corporate Advisory Member (2009 - 2012)

FINANCIAL PLANNING

Please see below financial planning resources and contact me with any questions.
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    Goals Planning System Client Questionnaire
    Please see the below Goals Planning System Client Questionnaire to help outline your financial goals.
    View Here
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    2024 Income Tax Tables
    View the 2024 Income Tax Tables below for more information.
    View Here
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    Goals Planning System (GPS) Introduction Video
    Learn more about our Goals Planning System software by watch this informational video.
    Watch Here
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    Total Tax 365 - Intelligent Withdrawals Video
    Learn more about what Total Tax 365 - Intelligent Withdrawals by watching the below video.
    Watch Here
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    Sample Retirement Goal Draft Report
    Click the link below to view a sample Retirement Goal Draft Report.
    View Here
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    Ways to Pay for College: 529 Plans and More
    A 529 plan may be viable plan to invest for future education costs, but there are also other options to raise the funds you need.
    Learn More

Planning For Your Family Financial Needs

As your family grows and your wealth increases, you may face more subtle and profound wealth management issues. As the demands of your family grow and evolve, you will likely need professionals who have expanded capabilities. Our Family Office services will help you manage the complex, multigenerational challenges of managing significant wealth.

The term “Family Office Resources” is being used as a term of art and not to imply that Morgan Stanley and/or its employees are acting as a family office pursuant to Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
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    Philanthropic Planning
    Your set of Philanthropic objectives is as personal as your vision of a better world. Determining your objectives however, can be challenging when there are so many worthy causes and so many unmet needs.
    Learn More
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    Trust & Estate Planning
    With you every step of the way. We analyze your tax and estate structures so that their tax characteristics are accurately incorporated in the asset allocation analysis performed for the client.
    Learn More
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    Intangible Asset Management
    Intangible assets are not physical in nature, but are becoming increasingly important for individuals and companies to consider when looking to grow and generate profits.
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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. The key for boosting long-term investment returns is being smart about tax efficiency.
    Learn More
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    Family Governance
    Particularly in the case of an ultra high net worth family engaged in a common enterprise, such as running a family business, operating a family office, or simply investing together as a family, it's extremely important to have a sound framework within which to make decisions - in other words, a family governance system.
    Learn More
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    Intergenerational Wealth Planning
    Highly-skilled accountants and estate attorneys are vital to constructing sound wealth-transfer plans, but sometimes it is the matters these experts cannot address that pose the greatest challenges.
    Learn More
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The Pelican Bay Group: 2022 Forbes America's Top Wealth Management Teams
"Source: Forbes.com (November 2022) 2022 Forbes America’s Top Wealth Management Teams ranking awarded in 2022. This ranking was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by SHOOK Research LLC (the research company) in partnership with Forbes (the publisher) during the period from 3/31/21 – 3/31/22. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors paid a fee to SHOOK Research LLC 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 SHOOK Research LLC 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 SHOOK Research LLC or Forbes. For more information, see www.SHOOKresearch.com.
©2022 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC."
The Pelican Bay Group: Barron's Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams 2024
Barron's Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams
​Source: barrons.com (Awarded May 2024) Data compiled by Barron's for the period Jan 2023-Dec 2023.
Jeffrey M Praino receives Certified Private Wealth Advisor Designation
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The Boca Raton Observer: Power Players
Click the link below to see the Pelican Bay Group Wealth Management featured in The Boca Raton Observer magazine.

The Boca Raton Observer: Power Players
Source: The Boca Raton Observer (Awarded July 2023) Data compiled by The Boca Raton Observer based on time period from 06/01/2023 – 07/31/2023.
Learn More

Location

1250 Pittsford Victor Rd
Ste 350, Bldg 200
Pittsford, NY 14534
US
Direct:
(585) 264-5840(585) 264-5840
Toll-Free:
(800) 332-0274(800) 332-0274
Fax:
(585) 383-9288(585) 383-9288
Wealth Management
From My Desk

The Pelican Bay Group Q2 Market Commentary


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
Are You Prepared for Tax Day?
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Are You Prepared for Tax Day?

The countdown to Tax Day has begun. Here are some strategies to consider as the deadline approaches.

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.

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.
The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce
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The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce

In the face of turbulent markets, the word “resilience” may be top of mind. Broadly speaking, resilience is the ability to “bounce back” when encountering life’s inevitable challenges.

Mosaic

Explore ideas and inspiration with captivating, original lifestyle stories created exclusively for Morgan Stanley clients.
A Change of Greenery
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A Change of Greenery

Houseplants add oxygen, flair, and warmth year-round, and the right one in the right space can do just as much for a room as any painting or side table.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Jeffrey M. Praino today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

1Morgan 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.

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2Morgan 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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3When 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.

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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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5Morgan 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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6Morgan 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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7Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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8Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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9Morgan 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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10Morgan 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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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.

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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.

*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.

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
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)