Our Story and Services:

Having spent more than 20 years in the financial services industry, I am committed to leveraging my knowledge, skills and experience to help my clients achieve their most important financial goals. A big believer in the importance of planning, I strive to understand each client’s full financial picture so that I can develop a comprehensive wealth strategy that is designed to encompass all of their objectives, from investment management, asset preservation and tax planning strategies to business succession planning, retirement planning, and wealth transfer.

I joined Morgan Stanley* in 1996, my long history with the firm enables me to access whatever resources are required to help my clients pursue their personal and professional aspiration. I earned my B.S. in Finance from the University of Houston—Clear Lake.

I was born in Colombia, and my family moved to the U.S. when I was six years old. Currently, I reside in Pearland, Texas, with my wife and our two children. I have been actively involved with Rotary for over 20 years, and am a member, board member and past president of the Bellaire Rotary Club, as well as past assistant governor of Rotary International. Outside of the office, I enjoy travelling, scuba diving, reading, spending time with my family and friends. I am also an aficionado of classic movies, red wine and Kentucky bourbon.
Services Include
Securities Agent: CA, CT, FL, IN, AR, NY, AZ, TN, MT, AK, WA, RI, OK, NM, MI, LA, PA, TX, HI; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1372292
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

A Goals-Based Approach that Strives to Keep Pace with Your Life

You have created wealth for a purpose, whether it’s growing your business, saving for a child’s education, planning for retirement, supporting a charity, or creating your legacy. My role is to assist you in defining your priorities and developing a plan that helps you optimize your chances of achieving your purpose. This goals-based approach helps ensure that your comprehensive wealth management strategy is designed to address your unique needs, challenges and opportunities.

Life is about change, and as you move through different chapters of your personal and professional life, your financial priorities evolve. I can help you navigate these changes with greater clarity and confidence, adjusting your strategy as necessary to keep you on track with your goals.
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    Discovery Process
    We will begin our relationship by listening and discussing a range of topics related to your financial needs and align the resources to help meet them. Based on your input, our advice will likely help address income and retirement planning, asset protection, investment management, strategic borrowing, wealth transfer and business succession.
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    Forming your Strategy
    Using your life goals as our compass, we create a risk-balanced strategy which maps a clear path to achieving your success.
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    Implementing Your Plan
    After we have discussed and refined your strategy, the team works closely with you to bring the elements to life. Whatever approach we decide on, the team will help you keep your strategy on track. When your personal situation or market conditions change significantly, we can suggest appropriate adjustments to your portfolio to help it remain aligned with your goals.
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    Measure Your Success
    We check in with you to deliver metrics around your portfolio, and ultimately measure trajectory towards your goals. Our ultimate mission is your success and well-being.

Core Capabilities

As your wealth grows, so does its complexities and the resources needed to manage it effectively. We leverage our experience and relationships to deliver innovative strategies that are tailored to your needs. We look forward to speaking with you to understand your challenges, so we may map out a strategy to help achieve your particular priorities and goals.
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    Corporate Trust Services
    When it comes to offering a corporate trustee for a personal trust account, Morgan Stanley has a platform. We have legal arrangements with several third-party trust companies and banks who can serve as trustee, co-trustee or successor trustee for your personal trust.
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    Retirement Planning
    One of our key areas of focus is helping you prepare for and thrive in retirement. From IRAs to RMDs, we manage the complexities of your comprehensive retirement plan assets, helping you easily transition to the next phase of your life with confidence.
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    Executive Financial Services
    Complex regulations around the trading of company stock can be difficult to navigate and time-consuming for even the most seasoned of executives. The Krenzin Wealth Management Group provides high-touch, white-glove service from dedicated teams filled with seasoned professionals.
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    Wealth Management
    Wealth management brings virtually all the dimensions of your life together. We listen carefully to understand the connections across your personal life, your family, your career and your legacy goals to develop a comprehensive strategy that is uniquely yours.
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    Estate Planning & Philanthropic Strategies
    Delivering an estate to the next generation or favorite charity requires more attention than families often realize. We coordinate with your estate and tax professionals to align your legacy goals with the appropriate asset titling and beneficiary designation requirements, incorporating best practices to help enhance results.
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    Professional Portfolio Management
    Managing an investment portfolio should be a consultative, disciplined process that balances your attitudes about investing with careful analysis of the financial markets. Working together, we create a customized strategy that applies long-held investment principles to help your assets appreciate appropriately or generate cash-flow or income as you require.
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    Financial Planning
    Every relationship begins with an understanding of your specific story: your goals, past experiences, values and risk tolerance. We help you better understand your current situation and create a powerful vision of your financial future.
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    Sustainable Investing
    Morgan Stanley aims to be a leader by strategically integrating sustainability across the firms risk management, operations, disclosures and engagements. We can help you tailor innovative strategies by leveraging Morgan Stanley's investing with impact platform, the industry's first wealth management branded framework.


    Disclosure:
    The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) aware investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because ESG criteria exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria.
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    Cash Management & Lending Services
    Creating adequate cash flow and securing liquidity are the day-to-day aspects of implementing a financial strategy. We help you meet your personal cash management and borrowing needs, while thinking strategically about how specific approaches may affect current and long-term costs and taxes.

Wealth and Estate Planning Series

Explore a series of educational videos covering topics such as Foundational Estate Planning Documents, Estate & Gift Taxes, Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs), Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts and more.

Modern Wealth Management Tools and Resources

Morgan Stanley's comprehensive suite of digital resources has carefully been designed to help enhance each aspect of your financial portfolio. Take some time to learn about some of the many Modern Wealth Management resources that we offer to our clients.
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    Morgan Stanley Online
    Your investments and everyday finances are always just a few clicks away with Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) and the Morgan Stanley mobile app! Access your finances and invest in an instant with the help of this handy resource that is available 24/7.
    Learn more about Morgan Stanley Online
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    Total Wealth View
    Complete your financial profile with Total Wealth View. By linking your external account information, you will benefit from more educated and holistic wealth planning, and convenient connectivity.
    Learn more about Total Wealth View
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    LifeView
    LifeView is a suite of planning tools that creates a realistic, integrated strategy meant to incorporate aspects of an individual’s financial life, including investments and cash management needs. It also provides progress-to-goals reporting which illustrate complex planning strategies.
    Access the LifeView Risk Tolerance Questionnaire
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    Family Office Resources
    Family Office Resources (FOR) is a helpful resource that provides specialized technical expertise to ultra-high net worth advisors and clients across a broad range of family wealth management issues.
    Learn more about Family Office Resources
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    Online Security Center
    Safeguarding your assets and personal information is among our highest priorities here at the LLC Group. Learn about our extensive security measures and take advantage of our vast array of resources and ideas that are geared towards helping you stay protected on the World Wide Web.
    Learn more about the Online Security Center
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    Goals-Based Planning
    Working with Morgan Stanley and its advanced wealth management technology is an ideal way to access advice and build a coherent wealth plan. Read more about the advantages of working with our unique planning technology to help reach your financial goals, whatever they may be.
    Learn more about Goals-Based Planning
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    Portfolio Risk Platform
    Morgan Stanley's Portfolio Risk Platform is powered by BlackRock's Aladdin risk engine, a state-of-the-art, innovative risk engine used by several of the world’s largest institutional asset managers, providing you with comprehensive risk analytics and a sophisticated view of the risk/return dichotomy across your financial portfolios. This helpful tool can assist you in making educated investment decisions with increased confidence.
    Learn more about the Portfolio Risk Platform
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    2025 Tax Tables
    This helpful resource outlines the 2025 tax rate schedule, education and health savings account limits, retirement contribution and deduction limits, among other information. With tax season seemingly always right around the corner, it's best to be as informed as possible.
    Access the 2025 federal tax tables

Location

1330 Post Oak Blvd
Suite 900
Houston, TX 77056
US
Direct:
(713) 968-3017(713) 968-3017
Toll-Free:
(800) 359-4358(800) 359-4358
Fax:
(713) 968-3200(713) 968-3200

Meet My Team

About Alayna Lopez

Alayna joined Morgan Stanley in 2023 as a Client Service Associate in the Greater Houston Area Complex. As a true team player for the LLC Group, Alayna applies her knowledge and skill set in helping her team consistently improve and maintain the financial wellbeing of all clients. Her main approach in assisting the LLC Group is ensuring that her client’s desires are accounted for, and that they are appropriately guided to feel confident about their financial decisions.

Alayna is a student at the University of Houston majoring in Finance and Accounting and is expected to graduate in December 2024. She is the Head of Operations for an Investment Banking Club at the University that holds weekly workshops and speaker series with local Banks in the Houston Area. Alayna grew up in West Texas, Permian Basin and moved to Houston with her family in 2019. Outside of the office she enjoys outdoor activities, trying new foods and traveling.

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 Ben Cucuzza

Ben Cucuzza is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in Texas.

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.

Ben began his career in financial services in 2005, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2022. Prior to joining the firm, he was an Affluent Segment Leader at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Ben is a graduate of the University of Georgia, where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. He lives in Houston, Texas with his family. Outside of the office, Ben is involved in the Junior Achievement as well as the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. He also enjoys fishing, sports, and watching the Georgia Bulldogs.
NMLS#: 703137

About Joe Saadi

Joseph Saadi is the Regional Trust Specialist for Morgan Stanley’s Central Region. Within the Trust Services Group, Joe is responsible for delivering the “Open Architecture” trustee platform, which consists of several unaffiliated third-party trust companies who serve in a fiduciary, agency or custodial role for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families. Joe and the Trust Services Group help Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors, clients, prospects and the professional community understand the corporate trustee services available through Morgan Stanley and how their corporate trustee partners provide fiduciary services to clients. The process involves reviewing trust documents and statements as well as analyzing family dynamics. Joe then uses this information to help clients select one or more of the Firm’s corporate trustee partners to possibly serve as trustee, co-trustee or administrative agent for client trust accounts.

Prior to joining the firm, Joe’s 30 years of legal and comprehensive wealth planning experience include positions as Managing Director at TIAA Trust Company, Market Trust Director at JP Morgan Trust Company, Trust & Estate Specialist at Merrill Lynch Trust Company, and District Attorney General at the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

Joe obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from John Carroll University and his Juris Doctor from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Joe is a member of the State Bar of Ohio and holds his Series 7 and 66 licenses.
Wealth Management
From My Desk

Overcoming Your 5 Biggest Retirement Challenges


Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

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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529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education

Though education costs continue to climb, starting to save and invest early can make a difference.

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.

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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A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup

Checking in on your retirement plan may make a lot of sense, especially when market volatility arises.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Patrick Lesley today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
1Morgan 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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2Morgan 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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3Morgan 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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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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5Municipal bonds may not be appropriate for all investors. Income generated from an investment in a municipal bond is generally exempt from federal income taxes. Some income may be subject to state and local taxes and to the federal alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to tax.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and its Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide any tax/legal advice. Consult your own tax/legal advisor before making any tax or legal-related investment decisions.

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6When 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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7Morgan 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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8The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) aware investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because ESG criteria exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining financial market.

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9Morgan 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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10Morgan 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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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)