Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Office

David began his career in management in 1982 immediately after graduating from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Business. He has held numerous leadership positions including Team Leader, District Manager, Region & Divisional Operations Manager, Area Director, Complex Business Development Manager, and various Producing & Non-Producing Manager roles.

In 1988, David made the move to become a Financial Advisor; a decision that has driven his career path since. With predecessor firm Smith Barney since 2001, in 2007 David joined Morgan Stanley as a Branch Manager in Michigan. After serving advisors and the firm in two different Branch Management roles, as well as a Complex Business Development Manager, Dave then moved to Atlanta in May of 2015 and served as a Non-Producing Branch Manager and a Sub Complex Manager within the Buckhead Complex team through April 2023. Dave now leads the Ponte Vedra Beach Sub Complex, comprised of the Ponte Vedra Beach, Ormond Beach & Deland branches.
David serves in a variety of efforts focused on advisor business modernization & growth, assisting the Complex & Branch leadership team serving advisors and support professionals located across the branches. Dave is a strong proponent of the Morgan Stanley story and invests significantly in the firm’s recruitment efforts with lateral recruits who are interested in a culture of growth.

David enjoys all-things Michigan State University and is himself a National Collegiate Champion Cheerleader. Spending time with his wife Laura and his four grown sons--David, Ryne, Connor & Reilly, as well as his dog Willow--brings Dave great joy. Dave has proudly served in a variety of philanthropic & diversity support roles over the years, and looks forward to continuing to mentor the next generation of leaders for Morgan Stanley in the decade ahead.
04/23 CRC 5646208

Kiet Tran, a First Vice President, began his financial career at Citigroup, shortly after graduating from Rollins College. He has been with Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms over 20 years.
As a Business Service Officer, Kiet works closely with Advisors and Support Professionals to help deliver client-focused service and solutions.

Kiet is relied upon for his industry knowledge to proactively resolve issues, enhance the client experience and streamline all operations requests.

Outside of work, he enjoys running and spending time with family & 2 yellow labs, Rosie and Scout.

Kim Kaufmann is a Branch Administrator in the North Florida Market. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2022, Kim worked for the State of Michigan for 20 years in both management and administrative capacity.

Outside of work Kim enjoys outdoor recreation and spending time with her family and friends.

Robert Mickler is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in Florida and Georgia. 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.

Robert began his career in financial services in 1991, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2014. Prior to joining the firm, he held several positions with Merrill Lynch, most recently as a Resident Manager and Wealth Management Banker in the Global Wealth Management organization..

Robert is a graduate of Villanova University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He lives in Jacksonville, Florida with his wife and family. Outside of the office, enjoys playing golf, reading, and traveling.

Dan

Dan is a Vice President and Risk Officer with Morgan Stanley responsible for overseeing the Central/North Florida market. With over 13 years of experience, he has spent the past 4 years helping the Firm to manage risk while growing its wealth management division.

Dan earned his Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Central Florida. He first entered the financial industry with Charles Schwab and then UBS. He joined Morgan Stanley in 2020 where he continues to serve as Risk Officer.

Having worked across various sectors of the financial industry throughout his career, Dan brings a panoramic perspective and solutions focused approach to helping advisors and clients. Equipped with a unique understanding of the business, his focus is on supporting advisors while navigating the shifting regulatory landscape.

Dan lives in Saint John’s, Florida with his wife and family. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and traveling.