Brian Ford
Private Banker
Sandra Weinbrecht
Senior Vice President, Wealth Management,
Financial Advisor
Direct:
(404) 842-2317(404) 842-2317
My Mission Statement
To work with clients and their families to define and implement a comprehensive investment plan that will help them achieve their goals and dreams.
My Story and Services
My team and I provide decades of experience and knowledge regarding financial planning, standard and alternative investments, tax strategies, generational wealth transfer, as well as, banking and lending capabilities.
Clients have said that the one thing that sets me apart from other investment advisors they have interviewed or worked with, is how much I care about my clients. This is something that I am most proud of, as building a long-lasting relationship is just as important as portfolio construction. My goal when working with clients is to get to know them and their families on a deeper level. This allows me to act as a personal CFO when needed, make their lives easier, and customize a financial future for them, and for generations to come.
Our team is adept at creating customized investment plans for each client, including, but not limited to:
• Comprehensive Financial Planning
• Asset Allocation Plan - Designed specifically for each client
• Alternative Investment Strategies
• Tax Mitigation Strategies
• Full Suite of Tax Management Services
• Cash Management and Lending capabilities
The investments listed may not be appropriate for all investors. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a financial advisor. The appropriateness of a particular investment will depend upon an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.
Clients have said that the one thing that sets me apart from other investment advisors they have interviewed or worked with, is how much I care about my clients. This is something that I am most proud of, as building a long-lasting relationship is just as important as portfolio construction. My goal when working with clients is to get to know them and their families on a deeper level. This allows me to act as a personal CFO when needed, make their lives easier, and customize a financial future for them, and for generations to come.
Our team is adept at creating customized investment plans for each client, including, but not limited to:
• Comprehensive Financial Planning
• Asset Allocation Plan - Designed specifically for each client
• Alternative Investment Strategies
• Tax Mitigation Strategies
• Full Suite of Tax Management Services
• Cash Management and Lending capabilities
The investments listed may not be appropriate for all investors. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a financial advisor. The appropriateness of a particular investment will depend upon an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.
Securities Agent: SC, PA, OH, NY, NJ, NC, FL, GA, IL, IN, LA, MA, MO, PR, AL, AZ, CO, DC, MD, KY, CA, VA, TX, TN; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1279474
NMLS#: 1279474
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
In the News
April GIC On the Markets - Great Expectations
The first quarter was a fruitful one for equity investors. Not only did the S&P 500 Index rise more than 10% to an all-time high, but Japan also experienced double-digit returns while several emerging markets strengthened as well. A projected pickup in cyclical growth impulses, anticipated to come from imminent central bank easing, seems to be the primary driver of broadening "animal spirits." That said, while prospects for a US soft landing appear solid, we increasingly believe that expectations are stretched.
AI and Cybersecurity
In the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), both cybersecurity teams and hackers are using AI to their advantage. This article discusses the basics of AI, how cybersecurity teams and hackers are using AI, and how you can help keep yourself safe.
Election 2024: Investors’ Top Questions Answered
The outcome of this year's U.S. election could have a big impact on taxes, Social Security and health care policy. What should investors know? Read the article to help answer some of the top questions about the markets during election years.
Modern Wealth Tools
Morgan Stanley Online
MSO digital capabilities and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App provide clients with access to their account information, enriched reporting tools, several cash management solutions and robust market research.
Total Wealth View
The ability to view all of your assets together provides the opportunity to advise on your Morgan Stanley accounts with your entire financial picture in mind.
eDelivery
eDelivery provides clients with the ability to view statements and other Firm documents electronically in lieu of paper. Clients who are registered in Morgan Stanley Online may enroll in eDelivery.
Digital Vault
The Digital Vault is a document delivery, storage and
collaboration space for Morgan Stanley clients and
Financial Advisor teams.
Aladdin
The Portfolio Risk Platform (PRP) is a state of the art wealth management platform providing real time analytics that enable financial advisors to identify and better understand risks in their clients' portfolios.
LifeView
LifeView is a suite of planning tools that includes goal-specific analysis that Financial Advisors can use with you to create a realistic, holistic strategy that integrates the various aspects of an individual's financial life, including investments and cash management needs.
Alternative Investments
Alternative Investments Client Brochure
Alternatives are the investments that go beyond traditional stocks and bonds.Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an industry leader in the asset class. Individuals and institutions can gain access to exclusive offerings, preeminent fund managers and innovative investment opportunities spanning private equity, private credit, real assets, hedge funds and more.
Alternative investments are often speculative and include a high degree of risk. Investors can lose all or a substantial amount of their investment. They may be highly illiquid, can engage in leverage, short-selling and other speculative practices that may increase volatility and the risk of loss, and may be subject to large investment minimums and initial lock-ups. They may involve complex tax structures, tax inefficient investing and delays in distributing important tax information. They may have higher fees and expenses that traditional investments, and such fees and expenses can lower the returns achieved by investors.
Location
3280 Peachtree Rd NE
Suite 1900
Atlanta, GA 30305
US
Direct:
(404) 842-2317(404) 842-2317
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
Jay Zaffos, CFP®
Financial Planning Director, Vice President
About Brian Ford
Brian Ford is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in 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.
Brian Ford began his career in financial services in 2006, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2015 as an Associate Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a Regional Private Banker at Wells Fargo, as well as a Financial Advisor at Ameriprise Financial.
Brian is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Management. He and his family reside in Cumming, Georgia. Outside of the office, Brian dedicates his time to developing future leaders in youth athletics, serving as a Coach on his children’s baseball teams. When not on the field, he also enjoys running, traveling, watching sports, and spending time with his family.
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.
Brian Ford began his career in financial services in 2006, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2015 as an Associate Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a Regional Private Banker at Wells Fargo, as well as a Financial Advisor at Ameriprise Financial.
Brian is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Management. He and his family reside in Cumming, Georgia. Outside of the office, Brian dedicates his time to developing future leaders in youth athletics, serving as a Coach on his children’s baseball teams. When not on the field, he also enjoys running, traveling, watching sports, and spending time with his family.
NMLS#: 687710
About Jay Zaffos
Jay Zaffos is a Vice President and Financial Planning Director serving Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management offices in Atlanta, Georgia. He is responsible for helping Financial Advisors with their clients' and prospects' financial planning needs.
Jay began his career in financial services in 2012, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2021. Prior to his current position, he supported a Wealth Management Advisor at Northwestern Mutual in a financial planning role.
Jay graduated from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelors degree in English and holds his Certified Financial Planner® and Retirement Income Certified Professional® designations. Jay lives in Marietta, Georgia with his spouse and three children. Outside of work, Jay enjoys spending time with family, playing electric guitar in the worship band at his church, running, and playing chess.
Jay began his career in financial services in 2012, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2021. Prior to his current position, he supported a Wealth Management Advisor at Northwestern Mutual in a financial planning role.
Jay graduated from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelors degree in English and holds his Certified Financial Planner® and Retirement Income Certified Professional® designations. Jay lives in Marietta, Georgia with his spouse and three children. Outside of work, Jay enjoys spending time with family, playing electric guitar in the worship band at his church, running, and playing chess.
Private Bankers, Ultra High Net Worth ("UHNW") Specialists, PBG Market Managers, Lending Advisors, Mortgage Consultants, Regional Mortgage Specialist, Cash Management Specialists, Associate Private Bankers are employees of Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association.
Banking products and services are offered by Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association, Member FDIC.
Morgan 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
Important information about your relationship with your Financial Advisor and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC when using a Financial Planning tool. When your Financial Advisor prepares a Financial Plan, they will act in an investment advisory capacity for thirty (30) days after the delivery of your Financial Plan. To understand the differences between brokerage and advisory relationships, you should consult your Financial Advisor, or review our “Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships,” brochure available at https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.
You have sole responsibility for making all investment decisions with respect to the implementation of a Financial Plan. You may implement the Financial Plan at Morgan Stanley or at another firm. If you engage or have engaged Morgan Stanley, it will act as your broker, unless you ask it, in writing, to act as your investment adviser on any particular account.
Morgan 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.
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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
Banking products and services are offered by Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association, Member FDIC.
Morgan 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
Important information about your relationship with your Financial Advisor and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC when using a Financial Planning tool. When your Financial Advisor prepares a Financial Plan, they will act in an investment advisory capacity for thirty (30) days after the delivery of your Financial Plan. To understand the differences between brokerage and advisory relationships, you should consult your Financial Advisor, or review our “Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships,” brochure available at https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.
You have sole responsibility for making all investment decisions with respect to the implementation of a Financial Plan. You may implement the Financial Plan at Morgan Stanley or at another firm. If you engage or have engaged Morgan Stanley, it will act as your broker, unless you ask it, in writing, to act as your investment adviser on any particular account.
Morgan 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.
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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Sandra Weinbrecht today.
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.
CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque 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 | Morgan Stanley
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.
CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque 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 | Morgan Stanley
CRC 4665150 (8/2025)
