Mark D. Sears
Vice President, Wealth Management,
Financial Advisor,
Senior Portfolio Manager,
Wealth Advisor
Direct:
(831) 646-6138(831) 646-6138
My Mission Statement
Being Financial Advisors is about changing people’s lives for the better, developing lifelong relationships and, most importantly, helping people take control of one of the most important aspects of their future.
My Story and Services
I started my career with Dean Witter in 1998, and after a brief 11 year spell at UBS Financial Services, I am back home at Morgan Stanley. I graduated from Purdue University in 1985, with concentration in Business Management and Economics.
I serve as my clients’ personal financial steward, guiding them through their day-to-day financial obligations, as well as long-term planning. I find great fulfillment in alleviating others’ monetary stress by guiding their individualized financial strategy, so they can focus on doing more of the things they love.
I have been married to my wife Lisa for 29 years and has raised 4 Foster Children who now range in age age 27-40. In each instance my children have come into our home as young teenagers, and have exited their home a little better off than when they entered. All 4 are now productive, tax paying, happy young adults. We also have one Grandchild who is 8 years old.
While not in the office, Lisa and I volunteer in Animal Rescue in various capacities. I enjoy tennis and golf, as well as visiting my favorite place on the planet – Yosemite. Each year since I turned 50, I've completed the 12 hour hike from Yosemite Valley to the top of Half Dome.
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.
I serve as my clients’ personal financial steward, guiding them through their day-to-day financial obligations, as well as long-term planning. I find great fulfillment in alleviating others’ monetary stress by guiding their individualized financial strategy, so they can focus on doing more of the things they love.
I have been married to my wife Lisa for 29 years and has raised 4 Foster Children who now range in age age 27-40. In each instance my children have come into our home as young teenagers, and have exited their home a little better off than when they entered. All 4 are now productive, tax paying, happy young adults. We also have one Grandchild who is 8 years old.
While not in the office, Lisa and I volunteer in Animal Rescue in various capacities. I enjoy tennis and golf, as well as visiting my favorite place on the planet – Yosemite. Each year since I turned 50, I've completed the 12 hour hike from Yosemite Valley to the top of Half Dome.
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: CO, SC, CA, IL, NC, MA, WA, ND, ID, TX, FL, AZ, NY, AK, PA, OR, OK; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1954251
CA Insurance License #: 0C46225
NMLS#: 1954251
CA Insurance License #: 0C46225
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Working With You
I believe success in achieving important financial goals starts with a comprehensive wealth strategy. I will help you define what is most important to you and then formulate the strategies that are suited for your needs - whether you are accumulating wealth, investing for income, solidifying your retirement plan or devising a distribution approach that meets your lifestyle and legacy goals. Each financial decision is different for everyone and we can work together to find the most suitable solution for you.
Step 1: Introduction
Our relationship begins with an initial discussion aimed towards getting to know you, your lifestyle and your future goals.
Step 2: Financial Plan
Work together to establish your financial goals by reviewing your current financial situation and developing an appropriate risk tolerance that can help you achieve the financial outcome you envision for yourself.
Step 3: Action Items / Next Steps
Follow up with you regarding our analysis and recommendations, which may include adjustments to your financial plan, investment allocation, company benefits, and insurance coverage.
Step 4: Implementation
Focus on creating prospective strategies custom designed for your specific needs. Recommended changes could include logistics, tax impact, asset allocation adjustment, and saving/benefit modifications.
Step 5: Monitoring & Performance Tracking
Finally, monitoring your assets and analyzing your performance tracking data seeking to ensure your financial expectations are being met and adjusted accordingly. We will keep a high degree of communication with you to make sure your concerns and requests are always addressed.
How We Are Different
We will take a proactive approach to create a custom plan that is right for you. We are easily accessible and are here to help take the weight off your shoulders.
While planning for no fee we make sure to actively manage your account. We will take a proactive approach to determine what best fits your financial goals.
We've walked in your shoes. Our team has experience in corporate leadership and has a keen understanding of the ins and outs of complex compensation plans. We understand the nuances of your career arc and financial situations.
We take the weight from your shoulders. We help you prioritize your financial action items to relieve you of the mental burden. We fiercely protect you time by leveraging modern, digital tools to streamline your experience and guide you from beginning to end.
Our team is accessible. If you are ready to develop a purposeful wealth plan which defines your money values, clarifies goals, and builds a road-map forward, please contact our team today.
We leverage our experience and relationship to deliver innovative strategies that are tailored to your specific needs and goals. We look forward to speaking with you to understand your challenges, so we map out a strategy to help achieve your priorities and ambitions.
Financial Planning
We're here to help manage the stress around financial decisions by offering knowledge and thoughtful guidance. As your life evolves, so do your goals: our approach allows you to look across your assets and liabilities to help you adapt your strategy in an effort to meet those changing demands. Whether it is saving for retirement and other expenses, securing retirement income, healthcare planning, taxes, education, or legacy planning, we're here for you.
Wealth Consulting
Wealth consulting brings virtually all of the dimensions of your life together. We listen carefully to understand the connections across your personal life, your family, your career and your faith to develop an integrated strategy that is uniquely yours.
Portfolio Management
We study investment trends and leverage the global resources of the firm to develop a personalized investment strategy. Through our oriented accountability we'll find a personalized portfolio to help you meet your requirements for growth, income or wealth constraints.
Retirement Planning
Planning for retirement has never been easy, but in recent years, it's become increasingly difficult. We're here to help you create a well-rounded planning approach for retirement. We'll help you identify your personal goals and track your progress towards achieving them.
401(K) Rollovers
If you have a 401(K) from a previous job, we make it easy to consolidate your assets into one account so you can monitor your progress and investment results all in one place. This helps simplify your financial life, keeps you organized and helps make your money work harder for you.
Education Funding
Helping meet the educational costs of children and grandchildren may be one of the most personal fulfilling investments you can make. We can help you access appropriate investment vehicles and determine the best possible strategies for helping achieve this goal.
Location
401 Fremont Street
Suite 200
Monterey, CA 93940
US
Direct:
(831) 646-6138(831) 646-6138
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
A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup
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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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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: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education
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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
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Mark D. Sears today.
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.
2Morgan 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.
3Morgan 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.
4Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
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 Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
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
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2Morgan 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.
3Morgan 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.
4Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
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 Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
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)
