Chelsea Nichols
Senior Registered Associate
Phone:
(513) 762-5319(513) 762-5319
Scott F. Mercalde
Senior Vice President,
Financial Advisor
Direct:
(513) 762-5215(513) 762-5215
My Mission Statement
We are passionate about creating personalized retirement strategies that protect and grow wealth. Our goal is to provide clear guidance and peace of mind, helping you achieve financial independence and live successfully in the retirement you deserve
My Story and Services
Scott's dedication to retirement planning is deeply personal. After witnessing family members and close friends work tirelessly well into their later years—often without the freedom or security they had hoped for—he developed a passion for helping others take a different path. For Scott, retirement isn't just a financial milestone; it's the ultimate goal of a life well planned: the ability to live free from work, with confidence, dignity, and choice.
Scott and his team focus in guiding individuals and families through the transition into retirement. Their core focus is aligning client assets with lifestyle goals to help create a fulfilling, financially secure future. With over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Scott delivers a strategic and deeply personalized approach to wealth management, with an emphasis on long-term outcomes and multigenerational planning.
Beyond investment management, Scott collaborates closely with clients' estate attorneys and CPAs to integrate financial, tax, and estate planning strategies. This coordinated approach allows him to develop truly comprehensive plans—ones that not only support retirement goals but also help preserve and grow wealth for generations to come.
Scott holds FINRA Series 7, 63, 65, and 31 licenses, as well as Life and Health Insurance credentials.
Securities Agent: AZ, TN, GA, WV, VA, NY, KY, IN, ID, MN, TX, IL, CA, AL, OH, CO, WY, NH, SC, FL, WA, MO, PA, NV, NC, KS; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Walking the Walk with clients
With more than 25 years in the financial industry, Scott Mercalde has helped over 400 families successfully navigate the transition into retirement. His experience spans multiple market cycles—ranging from periods of growth to times of volatility—giving him a deep, steadying perspective on how to build resilient, tax-smart retirement plans in any environment.
Scott works with a broad range of clients and retirement complexities, from developing tax-efficient income strategies to managing concentrated stock positions, while prioritizing multigenerational wealth planning. He understands that no two retirements look the same—and that true success lies in having plans that are both strategic and adaptable.
At the heart of Scott's process is a commitment to clarity, strategy, and collaboration. Every engagement begins with meaningful conversations to uncover each client's values, goals, and risk tolerance. From there, he uses advanced planning tools and modern retirement techniques to create customized solutions designed to simplify the complex—and give clients the confidence to move forward with purpose.
Whether you're Ten years from retirement or already enjoying it, Scott and his team are here to help you turn decades of hard work into lasting financial security and freedom.
Scott's Bio
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Scott Mercalde began his financial services career at Paine Webber in 1998. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Northern Kentucky University and completed advanced fiduciary training at the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Fiduciary Studies, where he specialized in portfolio risk management and retirement income strategies.
Outside the office, Scott is passionate about coaching, mentoring, and sharing the outdoor lifestyle he's always loved. What began as a high school job teaching skiing at Perfect North Slopes has grown into over three decades of passing that passion on to others. Today, Scott enjoys teaching his children how to ski, boat, wake surf, and play both ice hockey and lacrosse—using sports as a way to help them build confidence, character, and lifelong skills.
Location
7755 Montgomery Road 2nd
Floor
Cincinnati, OH 45236
US
Direct:
(513) 762-5215(513) 762-5215
Meet My Team
Shannon Davis
Client Service Associate
Phone:
(513) 762-5313(513) 762-5313
Michelle Ward
Registered Associate
Phone:
(513) 762-5387(513) 762-5387
About Chelsea Nichols
Chelsea is a Senior Registered Associate at Morgan Stanley with over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry, including the last 10 years with the firm. She oversees day-to-day operations while focusing on client relationships, transfer, and trade executions, and preparing client reviews and reports.
Chelsea holds her Series 7 and 66 licenses and plays an integral role in supporting both clients and advisors with precision and care.
Originally from Idaho, she finds balance outside the office through hiking and spending time outdoors with her dog, Jake.
Chelsea holds her Series 7 and 66 licenses and plays an integral role in supporting both clients and advisors with precision and care.
Originally from Idaho, she finds balance outside the office through hiking and spending time outdoors with her dog, Jake.
About Shannon Davis
Shannon is a Client Service Associate at Morgan Stanley with 2.5 years of experience supporting financial advisors through appointment coordination, client outreach, and seminar planning. She is passionate about providing efficient, detail-oriented service and building strong client relationships.
Outside of the office, Shannon has proudly owned and operated a dance studio for 26 years. She is also a devoted Bengals fan and loves spending time hiking and exploring U.S. National Parks.
Outside of the office, Shannon has proudly owned and operated a dance studio for 26 years. She is also a devoted Bengals fan and loves spending time hiking and exploring U.S. National Parks.
About Michelle Ward
Michelle is a Registered Associate and has been in the industry since 2019. She is also a state of Ohio notary, so she is a one-stop shop for Morgan Stanley documents with notary needs!
Michelle is a 2011 graduate of Northern Kentucky University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in music and a minor in broadcasting. Right out of college, she worked as a customer solutions professional for an auto software company for 7 years. She also worked as a part time editor for a Dayton based news station for two years. You can call her a jack of all trades and is always excited to learn in any industry she is a part of.
In her free time, she enjoys going to sporting events, especially trips to Michigan to watch her Wolverines and Cleveland to cheer on her Indians and Browns. She also is a movie buff and enjoys trying new restaurants. Michelle got married in 2019 to her husband, Brian, and has two beautiful daughters, Larkin (5) and Landry (2 ½).
Michelle is a 2011 graduate of Northern Kentucky University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in music and a minor in broadcasting. Right out of college, she worked as a customer solutions professional for an auto software company for 7 years. She also worked as a part time editor for a Dayton based news station for two years. You can call her a jack of all trades and is always excited to learn in any industry she is a part of.
In her free time, she enjoys going to sporting events, especially trips to Michigan to watch her Wolverines and Cleveland to cheer on her Indians and Browns. She also is a movie buff and enjoys trying new restaurants. Michelle got married in 2019 to her husband, Brian, and has two beautiful daughters, Larkin (5) and Landry (2 ½).
Wealth Management
From My Desk
LifeView® Goal Analysis Client Questionnaire
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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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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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
Rational Investing in an Age of Uncertainty
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Ready to start a conversation? Contact Scott F. Mercalde today.
1When 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.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a business of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.
3Morgan 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.
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.
5Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
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 always check with their tax or legal advisor before engaging in any transaction involving 529 Plans, Education Savings Accounts and other tax-advantaged investments.
7Morgan 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.
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
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a business of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.
3Morgan 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.
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.
5Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
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 always check with their tax or legal advisor before engaging in any transaction involving 529 Plans, Education Savings Accounts and other tax-advantaged investments.
7Morgan 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.
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
CRC 4665150 (8/2025)
