Our Team at Morgan Stanley Northern Ohio Western Pennsylvania Market Branch

About Thomas Russ

Thomas Russ is the Market Executive for the Northern Ohio Western Pennsylvania Market (NOWPAM).
He has over 30 years of experience in personal wealth management. In 1992, Thomas began his career as a Financial Advisor in the Indianapolis market for Morgan Stanley before transitioning into management four years later. Since 2010, he’s had the privilege of managing the Northern Ohio market, and added the Greater Pittsburgh market in 2016.
Thomas appreciates working with an inspired group of motivated professionals who are passionate about achieving their potential. Building and developing a diverse, inclusive group committed to delivering the best wealth management service to clients is one of his primary goals. He also strives to maintain a professional culture in which every Financial Advisor and support staff member feels both valued and connected. Strategic, selective recruiting has integrally contributed to these directives and his team’s success over the years, but organic growth from NOWPAM’s top advisors has played a crucial role, too.
Thomas graduated from Purdue University, and now resides in Hudson, OH with his wife, Kathy. They enjoy golfing, hiking and traveling around the country to visit their three children.
Active in the community, Thomas gives back by working with the Cleveland and Pittsburgh food banks while also serving as a board member for Cuyahoga Community College.

About Robert Witte

As an Associate Market Manager, Rob works closely with Market Executive Thomas Russ to oversee all aspects of the Northern Ohio Western Pennsylvania Market (NOWPAM).
He plays a key role in driving revenue growth, increasing profitability, managing risk, developing cohesive teams, retaining employees, providing consistent leadership and maintaining a exceptional level of client service.
Rob embraces the competitive side of the industry, and realizes the importance of striving to become better every day—both for himself as well as others. Supporting financial advisors in growing their business is the most rewarding aspect of his role. He’s skilled at identifying their strengths as well as areas that could be improved, and uses this knowledge to guide them toward achieving their full potential. As a manager, Rob attempts to receive, interpret and process information in an unbiased, patient manner in order to help arrive at the best possible solution or decision.
Rob was attracted to financial services because of his passion for helping others. His career began in 2010 with Fidelity Investments as a High Net Worth Team Lead. In 2016, he joined PNC Investments as a Regulatory Risk Analyst. In 2019, Rob came to Morgan Stanley to partner with what he feels is the leading firm in the industry.
As a member of a Navy family, Rob lived in several locations as a child. He was born in Camp Lejeune, NC, and primarily grew up in Florida. In 2007, he graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Finance.
Rob now lives in Northeast Ohio with his wife, Tara, and their four children. He enjoys spending time with family, running, watching movies and attending sporting events.

About Julius Cobb

As a Business Development Manager, Julius covers two markets that geographically stretch from Cleveland, OH to Allentown, PA.
In his role, Julius helps make a global conglomerate like Morgan Stanley feel smaller and more personal by connecting Financial Advisors with the right specialists, platforms and strategies to grow their practice. Advisors often aren’t aware of all the resources available through the Firm, or how to access them. Julius enjoys being a conduit who keeps advisors well-informed and up-to-date about these resources while developing professional relationships with them.
His experience in financial services began as an unpaid intern for Smith Barney (now Morgan Stanley) from 2008-09, which was a pivotal time in the stock market. The relationships Julius formed with the advisors in his office inspired him to seek a career in the industry. In 2009, he was hired by A.G. Edwards (now Wells Fargo) where he was a Financial Advisor in a call center, and then moved to various supervisory roles in the home office. In 2019, he joined Morgan Stanley as a Complex Risk Officer for the Portland, OR market.
Julius graduated from Saint Louis University with a dual major in Economics and Finance. He was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity where he served as a recorder.
Born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Julius grew up in a suburb of Saint Louis. His father was a real estate broker, while his mother served as a public-school teacher.
An avid sports fan, Julius has a passion for college football with the Missouri Tigers being his favorite team. With his deep roots in Saint Louis, he also fervently roots for the Cardinals in major league baseball.

About Christina Stein

As a Market Business Service Officer, Christina oversees the business operations of more than 230 Financial Advisors and 100 support professionals, as well as the operational needs of each of the Complex’s 14 branches. She leads six Business Service Managers, and works closely with the Complex Manager and Senior Risk Officer.
Helping Business Service Managers tackle challenges in their career development and assisting them with developing their support staff are the most rewarding aspects of her role. Recruiting is also important to her; she worked diligently to streamline recruiting processes to ensure a smooth, efficient transition for recruits.
Christina has been with Morgan Stanley her entire career. In 1998, she was an Operations Associate with Smith Barney (now Morgan Stanley). In 2006, Christina became the Operations Manager of the Westlake, OH office where she led the service team, and partnered with the Branch Manager to recruit local advisors. She was promoted to her current positions in 2015.
Born and raised in Cleveland, Christina lives in the region with her husband, Tom, and their two daughters. She enjoys boating, running and being a dance mom. Active in the community, Christina is involved with the Girl Scouts of America, as well as several local charities.

About Jeff Urbin

As the Senior Risk Officer for the Northeast Ohio Western Pennsylvania Market (NOWPAM), Jeff covers all risk-related activities for the market, including helping Financial Advisors succeed while staying within the approved parameters. He holds Series 7, 9, 10, 24 and 66 licenses.
Although managing others may sometimes be difficult, Jeff finds it quite rewarding. He appreciates the challenge of keeping pace with compliance matters in the evolving financial services industry, and working with sales and support staff to find possible solutions to their problems.
Jeff received a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University, and a MBA and Certificate in Data Analytics from Cleveland State University. He graduated from college during a difficult time in the economy with few job openings. A friend landed an interview for him with PNC Investments who was hiring for compliance positions due to increased regulatory issues. In 2010, Jeff started with the firm as a Compliance Officer, and later served as a Business Analyst and Central Review Desk Manager.
Jeff enjoyed his experience, and knew he wanted to continue his career in financial services. In 2021, he joined Morgan Stanley to expand his industry knowledge and skillset.
Jeff was born in Avon Lake, OH, moved to downtown Cleveland after college and now resides in Avon Lake again with his wife, Caitlyn, and their children, Tenley and Everett. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as attending sporting events, comedy shows and concerts.

About Sally Silvaroli

As the Market Administrator for the Northern Ohio Western Pennsylvania Market (NOWPAM), Sally assists market management with matters affecting Financial Advisors, support staff and market facilities.
She began working at Morgan Stanley in 1987 as a Client Service Associate before becoming a Regional Manager Assistant. She has been in her current role since 2012.
Sally is quite active within the community. Over the last eight years, she has organized quarterly volunteer events at the local food bank and food distribution center. She’s also partnered with local charter schools coordinating annual gift drives that provide holiday gifts for 80 students.
Married with two sons and two granddaughters, Sally enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as traveling.

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9Tax laws are complex and are subject to change. 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. Individuals should always check with their tax or legal advisor before engaging in any transaction involving 529 Plans, Education Savings Accounts and other tax-advantaged investments.

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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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CRC 6491812 04/2024