My Story and Services

Jon joined Morgan Stanley in 2017 after spending 12 years in the financial services industry mainly as a business associate for financial advisors. During this time at AIG and Lincoln Financial he worked with financial advisors to create retirement income planning strategies for their clients. These years and experience of dealing with clients of varying backgrounds helped him transition to his current role at Morgan Stanley.

Currently Jon assists clients in all aspects of life to help them achieve both their short term and long-term goals. Whether that be assisting a business owner in creating a 401k plan for their employees, helping create an exit or next generation transition strategy from their business ownership, helping a young family fund a 529 plan, implementing a plan for an executive or employee to manage their stock option plan, or creating a "blueprint" to help a client prepare for retirement.

Jon's practice centers on implementing an advisory focused investment model with his clients where he's able to utilize Morgan Stanley's vast resources on capital markets, banking, alternatives, and financial planning tools. Not only does he help create an efficient investment strategy but also works in tandem with CPA's and estate planning attorneys to achieve success in meeting financial goals set forth by the client.

Jon grew up in the Boston area and graduated from Bridgewater State College in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in Political Science. While there he was selected an All-American for the varsity football team.

Outside of the office Jon is busy raising his young children, Michael and Grace with his wife Jennifer in Sudbury. Jennifer works in the medical field full time as a cardiothoracic P.A. and as two working professionals they try to find a proper balance between home and work life by being active in coaching their children's sports, local community activities, involvement as a board member for Sudbury for Wounded Warriors, and travelling with their young family.
Services Include
Securities Agent: NJ, AZ, VA, TN, SC, NV, NE, MI, ME, CO, AR, WI, RI, NY, NH, MO, MA, KY, CA, TX, OH, GA, DC, NC, IL, DE, CT, LA, KS, FL, OR, AL, PA, NM, MD, VT, WA, IN; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1680479
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

The Benefits of using Morgan Stanley

When working with a financial advisor the tools and resources available to clients make all the difference in the world for the total client experience. Between investment solutions, capital markets research, financial planning, risk management, trust services, tax strategies, and technology Morgan Stanley has provided the tools to ensure their financial advisors are helping their clients achieve their goals.
    Morgan Stanley Online
    Morgan Stanley Online
    Morgan Stanley Online allows you to seamlessly and securely manage your investments and everyday finances in one place.
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    Goals Planning System
    At Morgan Stanley, Goals-Based Wealth Management means that we aim to understand what is important to you and work together to map out a plan that can help you achieve your financial goals.
    Goals-Based Wealth Management
    Alternative Investments
    Alternative Investments
    Our leading alternatives platform offers 200+ third-party and proprietary funds, including first look and exclusive opportunities, that may help qualified investors enhance returns, reduce volatility, manage taxes and generate income—while maintaining a goals-based approach for asset allocation.
    Morgan Stanley Alternative Investments
    Total Tax 365
    Total Tax 365
    Taxes can be a substantial drag on investment returns. Morgan Stanley Total Tax 365 offers access to a broad range of tax-efficient strategies to help you integrate tax planning into your investment process all year long, maximize portfolio after-tax return potential and help keep more of what you earn.
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    CashPlus
    We understand that clients financial needs are focused on more than just investments. Morgan Stanley offers banking services to help simplify this process through CashPlus.
    CashPlus: A Modern Alternative to Banking

Working With You

Every client presents unique and personal situations that require appropriate attention. This is why I take the time to first understand the inner workings of a client's interests, family dynamics, personal finances, investment experience, and expectations to then develop a partnership with my clients.
My Process
  • Discovery-uncover clients wants and needs and who should be part of this process whether it be family members, business partners, CPA's, or estate planning attorneys
  • Investment Strategy-come up with an appropriate investment strategy to work with clients on mitigating risk and achieving immediate and future goals
  • Goals Planning System-create a personalized financial plan to provide a "blueprint" for financial goals so you can focus on what matters to you
  • Client Review-establish a consistent review process to ensure I'm implementing an appropriate financial and investment strategy, educating on markets, and maintaining a purposeful relationship with my clients

Location

28 State Street 35th
Fl
Boston, MA 02109
US
Direct:
(617) 589-3429(617) 589-3429

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 Jessica Birkins

Jessica Birkins is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in Massachusetts.

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.

Jessica began her career in financial services in 2010, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2017 as a Associate Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, she was a Team Leader and Internal Wholesaler at Eaton Vance.

Jessica is a graduate of the Connecticut College, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. She lives in Scituate, Massachusetts with her family. Outside of the office, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family, running, and reading.
NMLS#: 1699963

About Van Liao

Van Liao is a Vice President and Financial Planning Director serving Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management offices in Boston, MA. She is responsible for helping Financial Advisors with their clients’ and prospects’ financial planning needs.

Van began his career in financial services in 2006 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2022. Prior to her current position, she was the Sr. Financial Planning Consulting at Citizens Securities, Inc., working closely with financial advisors and their clients on achieving financial success through a holistic approach of financial planning. Before joining Citizens Securities, Inc., Van was with LPL Financial as a Sr. Financial Planning Consultant, where she coached over 3,800 advisors to create comprehensive, client-focused financial plans. Van also spent about 6 years at Wells Fargo Family Wealth, where she collaborated with financial advisors and investment professionals to provide specialized advisory services to high and ultra-high net worth families and business owners.

Van graduated from Clark University with a B.A. in Business Management and M.S. in Finance. She also holds her Certified Financial Planner®. Van is an active member of the Financial Planning Association of New England. She dedicates her time and effort to promoting the planning profession, empowering financial literacy, and building a strong professional community. Van also serves on the Women's Initiative Committee and the DEI Committee and is an active advocate for women and minorities.

Van is of Chinese descent and was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She speaks fluent Vietnamese and Chinese (both Cantonese and Mandarin). Van believes her multi-cultural background has enriched her life in so many ways, personally and professionally.
Van resides in Quincy, MA, with her family, including her husband, her two boys, and a beautiful Siamese cat, Yoyo. Outside of work, Van enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending precious times with her boys.
Wealth Management
From My Desk

Roth 401(k) Benefits for Employers


Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

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
Tax-Loss Harvesting Can Work Year-Round for Investors—Here’s How
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Tax-Loss Harvesting Can Work Year-Round for Investors—Here’s How

What is tax-loss harvesting exactly, and how do some investors use it to opportunistically reduce their tax bills?

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
529 Plans and More: Innovative and Effective Ways to Pay for Education
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529 Plans and More: Innovative and Effective Ways to Pay for Education

A 529 plan is a great way to invest for future education costs, but there are also other options to raise the funds you need.

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 Work Hard, Make Your 401(k) Plan Work Harder
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You Work Hard, Make Your 401(k) Plan Work Harder

It’s important to determine how much money you may need to save for a comfortable retirement. Here are three strategies that can help you optimize your 401(k) plan.

Business Planning

Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
  • Succession Planning
  • Business Planning
  • Qualified Retirement Plans
Strategies to Finance Your Business
Article Image

Strategies to Finance Your Business

Growth could be within your grasp—if you can get the right financing.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Jon Sullivan today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
1When 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.

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

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2Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

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3Alternative 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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4Morgan 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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5Morgan 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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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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7Morgan 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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8Morgan 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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9Morgan 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

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10Morgan 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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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:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.

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.

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)