Sara Moffat
Wealth Management Analyst
Phone:
(803) 343-8829(803) 343-8829
Industry Award WinnerMy Mission Statement
Experience, intellectual capital and dedicated personal service to help you meet your life goals
My Story and Services
Preston draws on his experience bringing meaningful and honest insight to his clients’ financial strategies since 1984. With extensive experience through many different economic and market environments, he has dedicated his career to helping investors and their families make smart, well-informed financial decisions and navigate the myriad details involved in wealth accumulation and estate planning.
Preston earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Washington & Lee University in Virginia and completed advanced training for branch managers at the University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious Wharton School of Business. He also holds applicable securities registrations and insurance licenses.
An Eagle Scout, Preston has served as vice chairman for and was a 9-year member of the Heathwood Hall Episcopal School board of trustees. He has also been a member of the Shandon United Methodist Church administrative board and its board of trustees and the executive and endowment committees for the Indian Waters Council – Boy Scouts of America. Currently, Preston serves as Chair of the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center Advisory Board. Preston and his wife, Mary, have two daughters, Cleveland and Mary. In addition to spending time with his family, he enjoys offshore fishing and the occasional round of golf.
Preston earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Washington & Lee University in Virginia and completed advanced training for branch managers at the University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious Wharton School of Business. He also holds applicable securities registrations and insurance licenses.
An Eagle Scout, Preston has served as vice chairman for and was a 9-year member of the Heathwood Hall Episcopal School board of trustees. He has also been a member of the Shandon United Methodist Church administrative board and its board of trustees and the executive and endowment committees for the Indian Waters Council – Boy Scouts of America. Currently, Preston serves as Chair of the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center Advisory Board. Preston and his wife, Mary, have two daughters, Cleveland and Mary. In addition to spending time with his family, he enjoys offshore fishing and the occasional round of golf.
Securities Agent: SC, CA, HI, VA, LA, FL, TN, NJ, CO, MO, VT, TX, NY, MD, PA, GA; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
PURSUING YOUR GOALS, TOGETHER
My clients are much more than a portfolio of assets – they are families with active lives, who seek an experienced advisor who will provide them with thorough, unbiased, and carefully considered guidance on a full range of financial topics. When you work with me, you will be treated with respect, care, confidentiality, and given an unwavering commitment to you and your family.
While my clients each have unique personal and professional circumstances, they all have one thing in common: achieving a financial goal to help secure their family's financial future and pursue their personal ambitions.
While my clients each have unique personal and professional circumstances, they all have one thing in common: achieving a financial goal to help secure their family's financial future and pursue their personal ambitions.
High Net Worth Individuals and Families
Understanding you, your family and your finances is my top priority. I understand that life can be complex and filled with important choices, and that safeguarding everything you’ve worked hard to build is essential. I can help create a personalized plan to meet your goals at every stage of your life.
Business Owners
In my experience, business owners often put off planning their own financial future until they have achieved certain milestones, things have settled down or they focus on this later in life. I can help provide you with the support you need during the various cycles of owning a business from growth to succession to after the sale.
Retirees or Those Seeking Retirement
Some people look forward to retirement as their time to relax and enjoy the fruits of their decades-long career. Others worry about their ability to support their lifestyle given certain life challenges. Saving for retirement is a lifelong process that relies on defined financial planning strategies.
Professionals
I will tailor financial strategies to help you manage your high income and address unique tax considerations. I provide retirement planning and investment strategies that aim to align with your demanding schedule, and are designed to help you address your financial goals alongside your professional commitments.
YOUR GUIDE TO EFFICIENT PLANNING
Your financial plan should include more than just your investment objectives. Rather, it should be tailored to address the personal life and legacy goals you've identified and prioritized. My process begins with you, your investment objectives and your financial goals. Holistic in its approach, it may encompass all the elements of your financial life, helping to make sure they align with your goals and wealth management plan.
Financial Planning
Morgan Stanley Financial Planning can show you a single, comprehensive snapshot of your finances. I can help you create a wealth plan that's adaptable to the different stages of your life using our award-winning tools- Goals Planning System (GPS) and LifeView.
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LifeView Intelligent Planning
LifeView is a suite of planning tools that includes goal-specific analysis that I can use with my clients to create a holistic strategy that integrates the various aspects of an individual's financial life, including investments and cash management needs.
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Goals Planning System
Goals Planning System (GPS) is Morgan Stanley's own integrated planning tool. Built on the Firm's intellectual capital and capabilities, GPS is an intuitive and efficient platform used to quickly assess whether a client is "On Track" to achieving their financial goals.
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Portfolio Risk Platform
Our Portfolio Risk Platform, backed by institutional-caliber analytics, assesses thousands of risk factors using a holdings-based approach to assess a portfolio's exposures, analyze how securities behave together across portfolios and forecast how they influence risk and return moving forward.
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Spending and Budgeting
Track spending habits, categorize expenses and create budgets across your Morgan Stanley and external financial accounts with our Spending and Budgeting Tool. We make it easy for you to oversee trends in your financial life.
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Tax-Efficient Planning
Building wealth is a means to an end. Taxes can eat up a significant portion of your assets upon withdrawal. This is why it's vital to look at your entire portfolio and coordinate liquidation to help reduce the impact of taxes and potentially improve investment results.
Learn MoreKEEPING YOU CONNECTED
Morgan Stanley’s comprehensive suite of digital resources has been carefully designed to help enhance each and every aspect of your financial portfolio and life. Learn more about some of the Modern Wealth Management Tools that we offer to our valued clients.
Morgan Stanley Online
Beyond viewing your account balance and activity, Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) has a suite of features that allow you to manage your everyday finances from paying bills and sending money to transferring funds and authorizing transactions with eAuthorizations.
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Morgan Stanley Mobile App
Access your account wherever, whenever using the Morgan Stanley Mobile App. It gives you the same capabilities as Morgan Stanley Online from the convenience of your phone or tablet.
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Total Wealth View
View all your external financial accounts directly in Morgan Stanley Online or the mobile app. By linking your accounts, you'll benefit from more informed wealth planning, secure data access and convenient connectivity.
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Digital Vault
Digital Vault allows for easy sharing and convenient access to your most important documents from wills and deeds to financial statements and tax fillings. Easily manage your encrypted financial records all in one place.
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MS Reserved
Reserved Living & Giving is a tiered complimentary loyalty program that rewards Morgan Stanley's most valued clients. The program is designed to enhance your lifestyle and relationship with the firm beyond traditional wealth management services.
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Family Office Resources
Morgan Stanley Family Office Resources provides specialized, technical expertise to select clients across a broad range of family wealth management issues. Our core capabilities span three complimentary areas of focus including Governance & Legacy, Wealth Strategies and Signature Access.
Learn MoreEVERYTHING YOU NEED, ALL IN ONE PLACE
At Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, exclusive access to vast resources, combined with our unique capabilities, gives me the means to support your goals at every stage in your life.
Advice and Solutions
My clients benefit from access to the intellectual capital of our Global Investment Committee, a group of leading market thinkers uniquely dedicated to providing high-quality, industry-leading investment ideas to Wealth Management clients.
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Investment Management
At Morgan Stanley Investment Management, our goal is to provide strong long-term performance to a diverse client base of governments, institutions, corporations, advisors and individuals worldwide. Our investment solutions include a broad range of alternative investments, active investment strategies, customization strategies, sustainability expertise and tax-management solutions.
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Morgan Stanley at Work
Workplace financial solutions that help employees achieve their life goals. Our comprehensive offering spans Equity, Financial Wellness and Retirement solutions, plus Financial Empowerment, so your workforce can realize the full potential of their benefits.
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Cybersecurity
Your security is my top priority. Morgan Stanley proactively defends our systems and monitors our digital landscapes to anticipate issues before they arise and responds appropriately when they do. The Firm is actively supporting a multitude of layers of security. Read more about the cybersecurity resources used by the firm below.
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Lending and Cash Management
I recognize that clients and their families have unique needs that require dedicated experience and capabilities. My goal is to help simplify your financial life with a combination of cash management and lending solutions designed to complement your investment strategy and support your financial goals.
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Tax Management Services
Morgan Stanley Total Tax 365 offers a full spectrum of tax-efficient solutions to help mitigate the tax drag on your portfolio—so you can keep more of what you earn and improve after-tax returns.
Learn MoreLocation
1320 Main St
Ste 800
Columbia, SC 29201
US
Direct:
(803) 343-8803(803) 343-8803
Meet My Team
Taylor Christensen
Client Service Associate
Phone:
(803) 343-8827(803) 343-8827
Awards and Recognition
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
2025-2026 Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2025-2026). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.
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
Iran Conflict: Seven Takeaways for Investors
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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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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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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 Preston Covington today.
1Morgan 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.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2When 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.
3Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.
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.
5Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee.
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. 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.
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.
2When 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.
3Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.
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.
5Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee.
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. 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.
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)