Planning. Customization. Transparency.

It all starts with a plan.  We pride ourselves on understanding YOUR vision of YOUR future.  Only then can we design and implement a customized, holistic wealth strategy that will help you achieve your retirement, investment, and legacy goals. 

Your life is anything but cookie-cutter, so your investment strategy should be individualized to your unique situation.  Our clients do not fit into a preset model.  We take all your assets into consideration, regardless of where they are held, and create a customized allocation that provides, growth, income, capital preservation, and inflation protection.  And our transparency lets you know what you are paying; no hidden or indirect fees.

We maintain a small client base to ensure highly personalized services with assets under management of $1.091 billion as of 02/20/2025.

Your path with us starts by having a preliminary introduction.  This free, no-obligation meeting gives each of us the opportunity to determine if there is a natural fit.  We welcome the opportunity to be stewards of your wealth and make a difference in your life.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Location

6181 Bennett Dr
Ste 200
Edwardsville, IL 62025
US
Direct:
(618) 659-5777(618) 659-5777

Meet Kirchoff Owenby Group

About Ben Kirchoff

Co-founder of the Kirchoff Owenby Group at Morgan Stanley.  With a focus on custom discretionary portfolio management for high-net worth clients, Ben has acquired over 20 years of investment advising experience.  He is licensed in General Securities (Series 7), Uniform State Exam (Series 63), Investment Advisory (Series 65) and Life, Accident, and Health Insurance.
Ben focuses on helping clients manage risk in their financial lives.  His small-business background is vital in helping business owners focus on the big picture. 
Ben is a native of Belleville, Illinois and currently resides in O’Fallon with his wife, Christine, and their two children.  A graduate of Regis University (BA), his hobbies include: tennis, collecting rare gemstones, and traveling.
The individuals mentioned as the Portfolio Management Team are Financial Advisors with Morgan Stanley participating in the Morgan Stanley Portfolio Management program. The Portfolio Management program is an investment advisory program in which the client’s Financial Advisor invests the client’s assets on a discretionary basis in a range of securities.  The Portfolio Management program is described in the applicable Morgan Stanley ADV Part 2, available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV or from your Financial Advisor.
Past performance of any security is not a guarantee of future performance.  There is no guarantee that this investment strategy will work under all market conditions.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers insurance products in conjunction with its licensed insurance agency affiliates.
Securities Agent: AZ, AL, VA, MS, CO, TX, OH, MI, IL, TN, MN, DC, PA, CT, SC, KY, CA, NY, IA, WA, FL, AK, WI, HI, NC, MO, KS; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1295544

About Emmett Owenby

Co-founder of the Kirchoff Owenby Group at Morgan Stanley. Since May of 1995 he has advocated for his clients, providing innovative advice and solutions to address their complex needs.  Emmett was named to Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisory list for 2022 and 2024. He is licensed in General Securities (Series 7), Uniform State Exam (Series 63), Investment Advisory (Series 65), Branch Management Supervisory (Series 9/10), and Life, Accident, and Health Insurance.
Emmett spent the bulk of his childhood living around the world and currently resides in Denver, CO with his wife, Katie, and their two children.  He commutes back and forth to the St. Louis, MO office.  Emmett is a graduate of the University of Alabama (BA) and the University of Alabama, Birmingham (MBA).  He is a passionate triathlete having completed several full Ironman events.  Besides swimming, cycling, and running, he also enjoys skiing, reading, and coaching youth sports.

The individuals mentioned as the Portfolio Management Team are Financial Advisors with Morgan Stanley participating in the Morgan Stanley Portfolio Management program. The Portfolio Management program is an investment advisory program in which the client’s Financial Advisor invests the client’s assets on a discretionary basis in a range of securities.  The Portfolio Management program is described in the applicable Morgan Stanley ADV Part 2, available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV or from your Financial Advisor.
Past performance of any security is not a guarantee of future performance.  There is no guarantee that this investment strategy will work under all market conditions.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers insurance products in conjunction with its licensed insurance agency affiliates.
Source: Forbes.com (Jan 2024) 2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams ranking awarded in 2024. This ranking was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by SHOOK Research LLC (the research company) in partnership with Forbes (the publisher) for the period from 3/31/22–3/31/23. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors paid a fee to SHOOK Research LLC, for placement on its rankings. This ranking is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each Financial 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 may not be representative of any one client’s experience; investors must carefully choose the right Financial Advisor or team for their own situation and perform their own due diligence. 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.
© 2024 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.
Securities Agent: MI, WA, CA, AK, PA, NC, TX, MN, HI, CO, WI, IL, AZ, VA, TN, MO, KS, AL, NY, MS, FL, DC, SC, OH, KY, NJ; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1252988

About Katie Amos

Katie began her career as a trade wire operator in 1999 and by 2000 she became a Client Service Associate.  She joined the Kirchoff Owenby Group in 2011 bringing ten years of experience as a Senior Client Service Associate, Retirement Specialist, and CSA Coach.  She is licensed in General Securities (Series 7) and Investment and State (Series 66).
Katie is responsible for overseeing the group's administrative and operational activities.  She develops and implements the best procedures to meet the logistical and administrative needs of clients and team members and is an expert in the firm's operational systems.  She serves as the liaison between Financial Advisors, support staff, branch management and clients.
Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Katie currently resides in Columbia, Illinois with her husband, Bud, and their daughter Rileigh.  She is active in her community, volunteering with nonprofit organization Songs 4 Soldiers. She also enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, taking pictures of her family, reading, and challenging herself with CrossFit.

About Josh Sampson, CFA, CFP*

Josh has worked in the financial markets since 2003. He started his career at a commodities broker where he developed a passion for derivatives trading and risk management strategies. He used this experience to become the Derivatives Product Manager for a leading online brokerage firm. In this role, Josh sat on industry committees at the Chicago Board of Options Exchange (CBOE) and the Options Industry Council (OIC). As a recognized industry expert, his content has been published in national newsletters as well as on the websites of CBOE and OIC.

Josh received his MBA and BS in Finance from Missouri State University where he played for the university's soccer team, was an executive leader of a fraternal organization, and participated in multiple campus business organizations. Josh continued his post degree education by obtaining his Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Charter Financial Analyst (CFA) designations. These organizations demand the highest level of professional conduct and require ongoing development programs to ensure members are continually ahead of industry trends and policies. These designations represent the leading credentials in the investment management field.

Josh joined the Kirchoff Owenby Group in 2017 with the goal of using his experience to more directly impacting the financial lives of his clients. 

He is licensed in General Securities (Series 7), Uniform State Exam (Series 63), Investment Advisory (Series 65) and Life, Accident, and Health Insurance.

*Disclaimer: This role cannot solicit or provide investment advice
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.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Kirchoff Owenby Group today.
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1Morgan 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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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 and other 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.

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6Investors should consider many factors before deciding which 529 plan is appropriate. Some of these factors include: the Plan’s investment options and the historical investment performance of these options, the Plan’s flexibility and features, the reputation and expertise of the Plan’s investment manager, Plan contribution limits and the federal and state tax benefits associated with an investment in the Plan. Some states, for example, offer favorable tax treatment and other benefits to their residents only if they invest in the state’s own Qualified Tuition Program. Investors should determine their home state’s tax treatment of 529 plans when considering whether to choose an in-state or out-of-state plan. Investors should consult with their tax or legal advisor before investing in any 529 Plan or contact their state tax division for more information. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not provide tax and/or legal advice. Investors should review a Program Disclosure Statement, which contains more information on investment options, risk factors, fees and expenses and possible tax consequences.

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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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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)