

The 128 Group at Morgan Stanley

Our Mission Statement
OUR STORY
For more than 20 years we have worked with highly successful privately held business owners and their families. Our clients come from all walks of life and many diverse industries.
We understand that business owners face many challenges and concerns. While these challenges vary at different stages, we have learned that eventually, many business owners struggle to learn about strategies to monetize their business as they approach retirement or transition. Others may have simply been too busy "running their business" to think about their own personal future.
As a Certified Exit Planning Advisor, we work with owners to create plans and strategies to transition into, and thrive throughout, their post-business life. Our focus is on both business planning and personal wealth management that is positioned around a customized, unified strategy; aligning a business owner's professional transition with their personal goals and objectives to help create the retirement they envision
From 2020-2025, Joseph Verri has been named to the Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list.
- Source: Forbes (Awarded Jan 2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based for the period 3/31/23-3/31/24.
- Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2020-2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.
Upcoming 128 Group Events

Please join us Monday, April 21st for this ESOP 101 event.
RSVP Here - the128group@morganstanley.com
Location
Meet The 128 Group
About Joseph D Verri
Joe has been working with successful privately-held business owners and their families for more than 20 years. As a Certified Exit Planning Advisor, he helps business owners create an organized process around the eventual transition of their business. This process includes working collaboratively to develop clarity in the form of a plan; the plan serves as a roadmap that helps business owners better understand when and how to best transition their business and the impact it will have on their business, their family members, and their employees.
While Joe has been involved with several different transition strategies over the years, he provides specific emphasis on the education, utilization and maintenance of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Joe is involved with The ESOP Association (TEA), based in Washington DC and locally with TEA’s New England Chapter. He is also a member of the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO). Joe is an ardent supporter for employee ownership nationally.
As a Corporate Retirement Director, Joe also works with a number of companies nationally providing advice on the design and maintenance of their company retirement plan(s). He is also a Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist, a designation offered by The College of Financial Planning.
Joe earned a BS in Finance from the University of Massachusetts.
Joe and his wife Meaghan have two sons and live in eastern Massachusetts. He is a competitive ski racer and, in the warmer months, enjoys mountain biking, gardening and home improvement projects.
NMLS#: 1274459
About Michael Buntin Jr.
Mike graduated from The University of Rhode Island with a BS in finance. In his free time he enjoys playing basketball, snowboarding and staying up to date on the latest automotive news.
NMLS#: 2327291
About Elyse Slotnick
Elyse lives on the south shore with her daughter, Luran. She treasures her time with her daughter, especially being outdoors, visiting the ocean and kayaking together. She has a background in art and design and loves to draw and photograph nature.
About Lauren Komins
An accomplished figure skater as a child, Lauren competed in the first ever World Precision Ice Skating Competition in Helsinki in 1992 and continues to be a fan today. She grew up in Lexington, MA and lives in the Boston area.

Contact Joseph D Verri

Contact Michael Buntin Jr.
The Power of Partnerships
About Katie Prendergast
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.
Kathleen began her career in financial services in 2014, when she joined Morgan Stanley as a Financial Advisor Associate. She became an Associate Private Banker in 2018 and promoted to Private Banker in 2021. Prior to joining the firm, she was a Major Donor Development Officer at the Reeve Foundation.
Kathleen is a graduate of the Fairfield University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and Montclair State University where she received her Teacher’s Certification. She lives in Weehawken, NJ. Outside of the office, Kathleen enjoys spending time with family and friends, volunteering at the Hoboken Community Shelter, hiking with her dog Barry, and traveling to new destinations.
About Todd Vogel
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.
Todd began his career in financial services in 1997, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2016. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Wealth Management Banker at Merrill Lynch.
Todd is a graduate of Bates College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and Clark University, where he received his Master of Business Administration. He lives in Newton, MA with his family. Outside of the office, Todd enjoys coaching for the Newton Boys and Girls Soccer Clubs.
Portfolio Insights
Retirement
- 401(k) Rollovers
- IRA Plans
- Retirement income strategies
- Retirement plan participants
- Annuities
Investing
- Asset Management
- Wealth Planning
- Traditional Investments
- Alternative Investments
- Impact Investing
Family
- Estate Planning Strategies
- 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Special Needs Planning
- Trust Services
Business Planning
- Succession Planning
- Business Planning
- Qualified Retirement Plans
Philanthropy
- Endowments
- Foundations
- Donor Advised Funds
- Impact Investing
Retirement for Plan Sponsors
We can provide the tools and guidance to help you manage a retirement plan.
- Plan Evaluation
- Investment Management
- Plan Management Support
- Plan Participant Education
Financial Wellness
- Reduce employee stress,
- Improve retention and engagement, and
- Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
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