The 45th Parallel Group at Morgan Stanley

Mark is a seasoned Financial Advisor with a career spanning since 1986, marked by experiences across diverse market cycles and economic events. These experiences aid him in designing customized financial strategies for his clients.

From 1978 to 1984 during the summers, Mark managed the family amusement business in Traverse City and Grand Rapids, Michigan. He holds a Business degree in Accounting with a concentration in Finance from Michigan State University where he graduated in 1984. He gained foundational experience in public accounting focusing on audit and tax before transitioning into financial advisory.

As a former member of Morgan Stanley’s Portfolio Management Institute and the Association of Professional Investment Consultants, Mark gained deep asset management experience and financial advisory operational insight from industry peers. Since 2005, Mark has served on the board of Northwest Michigan Community College Foundation where he is currently an honorary member. Past roles included co-chair of the Advanced Major Gifts committee for the NMC Great Lakes Campus capital campaign. His past board service extends to Child and Family Services of Northwest Michigan and the Munson Healthcare public board. Mark is currently involved with the Traverse City Economic Club, the Grand Traverse Area Estate Planning Council and the Chamber of Commerce.

Mark and his wife Karen have been married since 1986 and are proud parents to two grown children, Emily and Max along with two grandchildren, Leo and Hank. Outside of work, Mark enjoys family time, traveling, skiing, hunting, fishing, golf, pickleball and boating.

Mike joined Morgan Stanley in 2020 as a Financial Advisor and as a member of the 45th Parallel Group. He began his career as a Certified Public Accountant working as an auditor in Chicago, Illinois. As a CPA, Mike also worked in Transaction Advisory where he performed financial due diligence services for private equity clients on both buy side and sell side transactions.

Mike attended Michigan State University and graduated in 2012 with a Bachelors in Finance and a Masters in Accounting. While a student at MSU, Mike was a member of the Men’s Basketball team as a four-year letter winner under Coach Tom Izzo. During his time with the program, the team won two Big Ten Championships which included two Final Four appearances.

Community involvement is an important aspect of Mike’s life. He is an active member of the Finance Committee for Generations Ahead since 2022 and for The Children’s House Montessori School since 2024. He is a member of the Traverse City Michigan State alumni foundation and donates his time working with Michael’s Place, which is a charity organization aimed at helping young children who have lost parents or siblings.

Mike has been married to his wife Sarah since 2016 and they have two young daughters, Harper and Willow. Outside of work, Mike enjoys spending time with family and friends, enjoying time on the east arm of Grand Traverse Bay near his home, paddle boarding, golfing, traveling, skiing with his daughters and spending the summers on Lake Charlevoix.

University of Missouri-St. Louis: 1992 Bachelor of Science-Business Administration/Accounting.

Christine began her career at Morgan Stanley in 2009 and obtained her Series 7 registration in 2010. She is responsible for client service which includes researching client inquiries and identifying client service solutions. She also assists in the portfolio management process with trade execution and monitors key operational activities that help ensure a seamless client experience.


Christine lives in Lake Ann with her husband Mike. They have 5 grown children, Brandan, Sam, Corey, Ben & Elli. She enjoys spending time with her family, being creative in the kitchen and walking outside with her dog Chase.

University of Michigan: 1987 Bachelor of Arts-Communications.

Kathy has been a part of the team since 2014. Her focus includes client reporting, meeting preparation, marketing and client communication.

She has lived in the Traverse City area since 1991 with her husband Steve. They spend summers at their cottage in Leland, Michigan with her adult son Andrew and daughter-in-law Julia. In her spare time she enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, teaching fitness classes and University of Michigan football.