The 173 Group

A founding partner of the 173 Group, Ned Gibbons specializes in advising the group’s clients on portfolio construction, equity selection and allocation, alternative investment access and analysis, and long-term tax, trust and estate planning. In recognition for his leadership and the team’s success, Ned was invited to join the PWM Advisory Council in 2018, a group that works closely with Private Wealth Management executives on business priorities. He was asked to serve as co-chair of the council in 2024.

Ned honed his expertise over the course of more than 25 years of cross-industry experience in business creation and operations roles. In 2011, he joined Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management after working at UBS Private Wealth Management and Credit Suisse Wealth Management. Prior to his wealth management career, Ned worked at operating and technology companies where he specialized in developing key client relationships, solving strategic and process-oriented issues and addressing financial planning needs. His roles included working with a few of the largest media and direct retailers in the western U.S. Ned began his career as a political consultant for the governor in his home state of Maine.

Ned earned his A.B. from Brown University, concentrating in urban studies, and his MBA from UCLA Anderson. He competed for the Division I national championship during his four years of rowing on the crew team, and serves as a Steward of the Brown Rowing Association. Through his work as a board member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Peninsula, Ned passionately supports children and their families in nearby underserved communities.
Ned lives in Menlo Park with his wife and two daughters. Between reading nonfiction books and consuming idiosyncratic podcasts, he stays active cycling, skiing, or playing tennis, golf or hockey.

A founding partner of the 173 Group, Gerard Zell leads the team’s efforts to advise clients through the financial complexities that come with rapid wealth creation. He leverages his more than 25 years of diverse financial industry experience and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP^®) training to construct investment portfolios that match clients’ financial and estate planning goals. Gerard’s specialties include managing fixed income strategies, equity manager selection, alternative investment analysis, hedging concentrated stock positions and customized borrowing solutions.

Prior to becoming a Financial Advisor in 2001, Gerard built the Pacific Northwest concentrated stock loan operations for Merrill Lynch by constructing hedging and lending strategies for successful technology and biotech executives and founders. He started his career with Barnett Bank (acquired by Bank of America) in Miami, Florida, as a commercial lender helping small and mid-sized companies grow their businesses.

Gerard earned his B.S. in business administration from the Florida State University in Tallahassee and his MBA from the Florida International University in Miami. He has been married to his college sweetheart for over 25 years and lives in Menlo Park with their two children. Gerard serves on the board of the Menlo Atherton High School Foundation for the Future and volunteers as a youth basketball coach. He is an avid runner, surfer, skier and soccer player.

Evan Rosenberg is a Private Wealth Advisor with The 173 Group within Morgan Stanley’s Private Wealth Management division and has been with Morgan Stanley since 2011. Prior to joining The 173 Group, he managed a $2 billion lending book in the San Francisco Bay Area as a Private Banker. In this role, he was responsible for structuring and advising on complex lending transactions such as residential and commercial mortgages, lines of credit, and lending on aircraft and fine art. Evan developed a deep understanding of credit analysis and liability management which he utilizes in his work with clients today.

Evan’s passion is to see his clients flourish throughout their financial journey. By attentively focusing on their balance sheet, goals and values, he develops a thorough understanding of their financial position, and formulates strategic solutions. He is also one of a select few advisors who have received the designation of "Family Wealth Director", a distinction achieved by less than 5% of financial advisors within the firm (2023) and is given to those who have had extensive experience and education in assisting high net worth families manage their financial and estate planning affairs.

He received a BS in Business Administration from the University of Rhode Island and an MBA in Finance from Santa Clara University. Evan is originally from New York and worked in the Midtown Manhattan Morgan Stanley offices up until 2017. He and his wife moved to the Bay area in 2017 and have a young daughter and son. When he’s not chasing his kids around, Evan enjoys finding new trails to hike and run, playing golf and basketball, traveling, and serving on the board of The First Tee of Silicon Valley which supports underserved youth in the Silicon Valley area.

Peter Sylvester is the Team COO of The 173 Group and has been with Morgan Stanley since 2017. Before joining The 173 Group, he was a financial advisor and Senior Portfolio Manager in Burlington, Vermont with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.

As Team COO, Peter provides business management leadership and strategic guidance while helping the Private Wealth Advisors oversee the Team’s business operations. In this role, he seeks to ensure that all the Team’s clients have access to Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management’s broad range of research, investment and family office resources.

Peter holds the Series 7 and 66 licenses and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. He graduated Middlebury College with a degree in Economics and Political Science. Peter lives in Menlo Park and enjoys playing golf and basketball.

Jeremy is responsible for investment analysis, trading, and supporting Private Wealth Advisors in sourcing investment opportunities for clients. He is also responsible for streamlining and optimizing business practices to support growth as the team onboards additional clients and engages with new prospects.

He was born and raised in France and is a Mechanical Engineer by degree and a Masters in Management degree from London Business School. Jeremy is a CFA charterholder and holds Series 7 and 66 securities registrations

Meera joined Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management in 2024. Prior to joining the 173 Group, she worked at JP Morgan Wealth Management and Merrill Lynch. Meera has worked in the financial industry for over 10 years and is passionate about making sure all clients receive exceptional service.

Miles joined Morgan Stanley in 2022. Prior to joining the 173 group, he worked for Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management in San Francisco. Miles holds both Series 7 and 66 licenses. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, playing music, reading, and spending time with family.

Eli joined Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management in 2023. She received a degree in Economics from UC Berkeley and is pursuing an MBA in Finance at Santa Clara University. Eli holds both Series 7 and 66 licenses. Apart from her studies, she is also a classically trained pianist and enjoys producing music, playing golf, dancing, and reading books.

Andre joined Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management in 2025. Prior to joining the 173 Group, he worked at Rockefeller Capital Management. A Bay Area Native, Andre earned his degree in Economics from UC Berkeley. Apart from work, Andre enjoys playing and watching sports with his friends and spending time with his family.