Russ Gallen
Private Banker
Scott Tompkins
Vice President,
Financial Advisor
Direct:
(760) 931-4622(760) 931-4622
Toll-Free:
(800) 473-1331(800) 473-1331
My Mission Statement
My mission is to provide tailored investment strategies that align with your unique goals and lifestyle. My approach is rooted in understanding your needs and working collaboratively to secure your financial future.
My Story and Services
Every client has a unique financial story, and as your Financial Advisor, my mission is to understand your goals and lifestyle needs deeply. By focusing on diversified portfolios, competitive returns, and maintaining absolute confidentiality, we'll craft an investment strategy that not only aims for consistent earnings but also sustains long-term wealth.
I hold a finance degree from the University of Maryland, where I also showcased my competitive spirit playing Division I lacrosse. Post-graduation, I ventured to San Francisco and joined Morgan Stanley Capital Markets Division. There, I honed my skills trading individual bonds for ultra high net-worth clients. In 2016, my journey brought me to the sunlit shores of San Diego, where I transitioned to Wealth Management, continuing my work with Morgan Stanley.
My diverse experiences have equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of financial markets, allowing me to deliver exceptional service to my clients. Beyond the financial world, I channel my passion for lacrosse into coaching a local youth team, enriching the San Diego community I proudly call home. In my free time, I love exploring everything San Diego has to offer with my wife and dog.
I hold a finance degree from the University of Maryland, where I also showcased my competitive spirit playing Division I lacrosse. Post-graduation, I ventured to San Francisco and joined Morgan Stanley Capital Markets Division. There, I honed my skills trading individual bonds for ultra high net-worth clients. In 2016, my journey brought me to the sunlit shores of San Diego, where I transitioned to Wealth Management, continuing my work with Morgan Stanley.
My diverse experiences have equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of financial markets, allowing me to deliver exceptional service to my clients. Beyond the financial world, I channel my passion for lacrosse into coaching a local youth team, enriching the San Diego community I proudly call home. In my free time, I love exploring everything San Diego has to offer with my wife and dog.
Securities Agent: MO, AZ, VA, IL, PA, DC, KS, CT, MS, FL, DE, OH, NC, NM, MI, KY, OR, NJ, HI, WI, TN, GA, SC, WA, NY, CA, WV, VT, TX, OK, CO, MD; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1411200
NMLS#: 1411200
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Upcoming Firm Events
The Lessons in Leadership Virtual Event Series will continue throughout 2025.
Check back soon for details on upcoming events.
Location
5796 Armada Drive
Suite 200
Carlsbad, CA 92008
US
Direct:
(760) 931-4622(760) 931-4622
Toll-Free:
(800) 473-1331(800) 473-1331
Fax:
(619) 235-9313(619) 235-9313
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
Sean Lavin
Trust Specialist
About Russ Gallen
Russ Gallen is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in California.
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.
Russ began his career in financial services in 2001, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2019 as a Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Wealth Management Banker at Merrill Lynch.
Russ is a graduate of Arizona State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He lives in Solana Beach, California. Outside of the office, Russ enjoys golf, tennis and traveling.
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.
Russ began his career in financial services in 2001, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2019 as a Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Wealth Management Banker at Merrill Lynch.
Russ is a graduate of Arizona State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He lives in Solana Beach, California. Outside of the office, Russ enjoys golf, tennis and traveling.
NMLS#: 684961
About Sean Lavin
Sean is a Regional Trust Specialist for Morgan Stanley based in Los Angeles. He is responsible for supporting Private Wealth Advisors and their clients’ legal counsel in developing trust and fiduciary solutions for families, institutions and charities. Sean works closely with clients and their legal and strategic advisors to help educate them on appropriate trust vehicles designed to meet the clients’ specific goals and objectives. Sean also provides advice on how to utilize the fiduciary services available through the Morgan Stanley’s comprehensive third party trustee platform that is available to clients.
Sean joined Morgan Stanley in 1999 including several years as a Senior Vice President and Regional Trust Specialist with Smith Barney and Citi Trust. Prior to then, Sean was a Senior Trust Officer with Merrill Lynch / Bank of America.
Sean graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and received his master’s degree in business administration from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Sean holds the Certified Financial Planner and Certified Trust and Financial Advisor designations and is Series 7 and 66 licensed.
Sean joined Morgan Stanley in 1999 including several years as a Senior Vice President and Regional Trust Specialist with Smith Barney and Citi Trust. Prior to then, Sean was a Senior Trust Officer with Merrill Lynch / Bank of America.
Sean graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and received his master’s degree in business administration from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Sean holds the Certified Financial Planner and Certified Trust and Financial Advisor designations and is Series 7 and 66 licensed.
Private Banking Group (PBG) Market Managers, Senior Private Bankers, Private Bankers, and 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
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 trusts, estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
Morgan Stanley 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.
Trusts are not necessarily appropriate for all clients. There are risks and considerations which may outweigh any potential benefits. Establishing a trust will incur fees and expenses which may be substantial. Trusts often incur ongoing administrative fees and expenses such as the services of a corporate trustee, attorney, or tax professional.
Trust services are provided by third parties who are not affiliated with Morgan Stanley. Neither Morgan Stanley nor its affiliates are the provider of such trust services and will not have any input or responsibility concerning a client’s eligibility for, or the terms and conditions associated with these trust services. Neither Morgan Stanley nor its affiliates shall be responsible for any advice or services provided by the unaffiliated third parties. Morgan Stanley or its affiliates may participate in transactions on a basis separate from the referral of clients to these third parties and may receive compensation in connection with referrals made to them.
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
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 trusts, estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
Morgan Stanley 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.
Trusts are not necessarily appropriate for all clients. There are risks and considerations which may outweigh any potential benefits. Establishing a trust will incur fees and expenses which may be substantial. Trusts often incur ongoing administrative fees and expenses such as the services of a corporate trustee, attorney, or tax professional.
Trust services are provided by third parties who are not affiliated with Morgan Stanley. Neither Morgan Stanley nor its affiliates are the provider of such trust services and will not have any input or responsibility concerning a client’s eligibility for, or the terms and conditions associated with these trust services. Neither Morgan Stanley nor its affiliates shall be responsible for any advice or services provided by the unaffiliated third parties. Morgan Stanley or its affiliates may participate in transactions on a basis separate from the referral of clients to these third parties and may receive compensation in connection with referrals made to them.
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1Morgan 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.
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.
3Morgan 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.
4Municipal 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.
5Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.
6Morgan 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.
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.
8Morgan 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.
3Morgan 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.
4Municipal 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.
5Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.
6Morgan 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.
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.
8Morgan 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)
