My Story and Services

For me, retirement planning means more than providing my clients with investment advice. It means helping them maintain the financial independence they’ve worked their whole lives to achieve. It means striving to help ensure they have the means to pursue what’s most important to them. And it means understanding them as people with unique goals, values and circumstances that determine the strategies I develop on their behalf.

My consultative process begins with an in-depth discussion of your current finances and future objectives. We’ll address issues you might have overlooked that can have a significant impact on your ability to retire as planned. Finally, we’ll determine how we can help you adjust your investment strategy as necessary to accommodate changing conditions and meet any unforeseen expenses and income demands that may arise during retirement.
Services Include
Securities Agent: TN, OR, IA, DC, CA, UT, TX, NM, NE, CO, MN, MD, NV, MI, GA, WA, NY, ID, FL, AZ, WY, SC, OH, NJ, HI, NC, MT; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1265182
CA Insurance License #: 0B00468
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

My Proven Process

My work with you starts with one or more in-depth, exploratory meetings. I need to understand your unique financial situation so I can offer you the best possible advice and solutions.
Step 1: Build Relationships
I begin with an in-depth conversation where I listen carefully to understand what is important to you and your family. Utilizing the process defined by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, I ask specific questions about your previous investment experience and the values that shape your decisions and identify any special challenges and circumstances for your personal situation.
Step 2: Gather Data and Identify Goals
In this step, I will request specific financial information and statements to help me better understand your current financial picture in detail. I will also work to formally define and articulate your top goals and priorities for both the short- and long-term.
Step 3: Analyze Your Finances
Next, I review your current and future financial situation, identify any potential shortfalls and discuss the impact of unexpected life events. In this step, I may also reach out to your CPA and estate attorney to understand your existing tax and estate plans so we can coordinate our efforts into one comprehensive plan.
Step 4: Determine Recommendations
Here, I prepare a comprehensive financial plan that addresses your specific needs and goals. I utilize various financial planning tools to develop a personalized strategy that not only includes investment and asset allocation recommendations, but incorporates important risk management strategies, as well as estate, trust and philanthropic solutions.
Step 5: Present and Implement Your Plan
In this step, I formally present your personalized financial plan in detail and explain why I am recommending each strategy. I'll then refine your plan based on our discussion. Once approved by you, I’ll begin to implement the strategies together. I believe in full transparency and will keep you involved each step of the way.
Step 6: Benchmark Your Progress Compared to Your Goals
I oversee your progress and review the performance of your plan through ongoing calls and meetings. I may recommend adjustments over time, due to changing market conditions or changes in your personal circumstances, to keep you on track towards achieving your goals.

Total Tax 365

Taxes act as a drag on your investment performance that can be heavier than any fee you pay. But they might also be the easiest to reduce, with the right strategies in place. Morgan Stanley Total Tax 365 offers a full spectrum of tax-efficient solutions to help mitigate the tax drag on your portfolio—so you can keep more of what you earn and improve after-tax returns.

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    2025 Tax Tables

    We have pulled together a useful summary of the Federal tax code for 2025.

    Click HERE for the 2025 Tax Tables
    Direct Indexing: What is it? How can it help with managing capital gains exposure?

    Many investors are familiar with mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which allow them to invest in a pre-selected "basket" of stocks, often to follow an existing market index. But fewer are aware of an approach called direct indexing, which also seeks to replicate an index's performance but could allow for greater tax efficiency and opportunities for individual customization.

    Click HERE to learn more about Direct Indexing:

Select reports from Morgan Stanley that I have found interesting

A great deal of information comes across my desk. Much of this is produced "in house" by the Morgan Stanley Global Investment Committee and MS & Co. Research. In this section, I will try to curate what I think is relevant and share it with you. My goal is to keep this updated on a regular basis.

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    The Robots Are Coming

    AI is rapidly expanding its presence. The lines between mobile devices and robots are becoming more blurred. AI is gaining physical abilities.

    Morgan Stanley Research looks into how the intersection of AI and the physical economy is transforming industries and creating new markets.

    Watch this video to understand how embodied AI is rapidly advancing, from autonomous vehicles to humanoid robots. Reach out to your Morgan Stanley Representative or Financial Advisor if you'd like to learn more.

    https://www.morganstanley.com/insights/videos/humanoid-robots-adam-jonas-wealth-management?ET_MID=noloc&ET_MID=nomsai&cid=whmt-em-robotsa-17955

    Click here to explore more about "embodied AI" and robotics

INSIGHTS & INFORMATION

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. I am a firm believer of giving my 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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    Weekly One Pager
    Each week Morgan Stanley publishes our weekly one pager with the latest insights, updates, and trends.
    Click Here for the most recent One Pager
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    WEBCAST Replay - GIC Investment Perspectives for May 2025
    Watch a replay of "Monthly Perspectives" with Morgan Stanley Chief Investment officer, Lisa Shalett
    Click here for replay LINK:

Location

6004 La Madrona Dr
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
US
Direct:
(831) 440-5202(831) 440-5202
Toll-Free:
(800) 488-3436(800) 488-3436
Fax:
(831) 465-5374(831) 465-5374

Meet My Team

About Kenny Evans

Hello, my name is Kenny Evans. I am so thrilled to have joined with John Howard as a registered service associate. I am learning a lot in my new role and am grateful to have such a successful and knowledgeable team around me to support me and help me grow professionally. With over a decade of experience in management and sales in the cycling industry, I have a unique cross section of skills and expertise in client service and hospitality, sales, technical proficiency, and organization. These skills have prepared me well for my role, and I am excited to assist and build relationship with you. Outside of the office, I love to spend time with my wife and our 9 month old daughter, and enjoy a good mountain bike ride with friends.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if there is anything I can assist you with, or even just to say hello!

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

About Kevin Rickman

Kevin Rickman is a Planning Associate at Morgan Stanley providing dedicated financial planning support to Financial Advisors and their teams. Operating as an extension of the FA/Team, he collaborates with clients to discover and define goals that matter most to them. Leveraging state of the art technology, he will evaluate various options and their potential outcomes to help clients confidently choose the appropriate course of action. Kevin provides expertise across a wide suite of Morgan Stanley planning tools designed to assist in the areas of investment accumulation, retirement, education, major purchase, cash flow, risk management, tax efficiency, and wealth transfer planning.

He earned his undergraduate degree from Columbia University and received the Financial Planning Specialist® designation from the College for Financial Planning. Kevin is originally from Flemington, NJ and currently resides in Ringoes, NJ.
Important information about your relationship with your Financial Advisor and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC when using a Financial Planning tool. When your Financial Advisor prepares a Financial Plan, they will act in an investment advisory capacity for thirty (30) days after the delivery of your Financial Plan. To understand the differences between brokerage and advisory relationships, you should consult your Financial Advisor, or review our “Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships,” brochure available at https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.

You have sole responsibility for making all investment decisions with respect to the implementation of a Financial Plan. You may implement the Financial Plan at Morgan Stanley or at another firm. If you engage or have engaged Morgan Stanley, it will act as your broker, unless you ask it, in writing, to act as your investment adviser on any particular account.

Morgan 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.

Morgan 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.

When 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.

Wealth Management
From My Desk

2025 Tax Tables

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
You're Ready for Retirement. Is Your Portfolio?
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You're Ready for Retirement. Is Your Portfolio?

Market volatility and longevity may be two of the biggest risks to your retirement. Learn how annuities can potentially help bolster your retirement income strategy.

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
Rational Investing in an Age of Uncertainty
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Rational Investing in an Age of Uncertainty

When it comes to investing, even the most savvy of us fall prey to bias and emotional trades. So what triggers should you watch for?
Ready to start a conversation? Contact John Howard 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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2When 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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3Morgan 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.
Morgan 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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4Morgan 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.
Morgan 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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5Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.

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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 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.

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.

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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 | Morgan Stanley
CRC 4665150 (8/2025)