Our Story and Services

The Amelia Island Group at Morgan Stanley, located in Fernandina Beach, Florida, knows financial success brings challenges.

We use our knowledge and experience, working with high net worth individuals, to empower you to master the ever-increasing complexities of holistic financial planning, risk assessment, asset management, and generational wealth transfers.

Coupling the full suite of Morgan Stanley’s analytical tools with our own decades of insights, we work with you to help ensure the wealth you have earned is protected and preserved, not just so you can maintain your lifestyle, but also so it will be there for your family’s future generations.

A family legacy is more than just wealth transfer. We take a deep listening approach to our initial and regular meetings so we can understand not just your current financial situation, your existing spending patterns, and what transitions you may be facing soon, but also your family’s values.

Values are at the core of our practice. We’re family and community focused. Call us old fashioned, but we pride ourselves on taking a small-town approach to business. Once you sign up with The Amelia Island Group you become part of our extended family and community.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Tax Day

The countdown to Tax Day has begun. Here are some strategies to consider as the deadline approaches.
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    Are You Prepared for Tax Day?
    It should come as no surprise that many Americans take a dim view of paying taxes.1 Still, the saying coined by Ben Franklin more than 200 years ago—“Nothing is certain except death and taxes”—rings true today: Taxes are inevitable.

    The sooner you get started, the better prepared you’ll be.
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    Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving
    There’s more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here’s one method that may be tax-efficient and can help maximize your impact.
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    Tax Management Services
    Looking to improve your portfolio's tax efficiency? Learn more about our complimentary and personalized Tax Management Services.
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    Total Tax 365: Tax-Smart Investing. All Year Long.
    Who says taxes can't be a day at the beach? Consider these tax-efficient strategies to help maximize your wealth potential.
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    Beyond ETFs: The Benefits of Direct Indexing
    Learn more about the potential advantages of a direct indexing strategy and how it can help you meet your financial goals.
    Read More

PLANNING FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW

Goals and personal circumstances naturally change over time as families, couples and individuals navigate life's transitions, for better or worse, for the short-term or the long-term. Similarly, economic circumstances change, particularly in the short-term.

Our process is designed to create a financial plan and wealth management strategy that can evolve with the changing circumstances of your life as well as the economy.

  • Certified Financial Planning (CFP®)

CFP® Professionals have met extensive training and experience requirements, and commit to the CFP Board's ethical standards that require them to put their clients' interest first.

Bill holds this designation.

  • Goals Planning System (GPS)

Goals Planning System (GPS) is Morgan Stanley's own integrated planning tool. Built on the Firm's intellectual capital and capabilities, GPS is an intuitive and effective platform used to quickly assess whether a client is "On Track" to achieving their financial goals.

  • LifeView Intelligent Planning

Leveraging our LifeView Goal Analysis tool, we can work with you to create a personalized wealth strategy. Over time, we will adapt it to changing circumstances, helping you achieve your goals and protect what is meaningful to you.

  • Spending and Budgeting tool

One way to manage savings is by using Morgan Stanley's Spending and Budgeting tool. This tool helps advisors monitor clients cash flows across both internal and external accounts. It also tracks spending patterns and produces an income and expense analysis to help clients achieve their goals by adjusting their spending behavior when necessary.

  • Aladdin - Portfolio Risk Tool
    The Portfolio Risk Platform integrates the leading risk analytics engine into Morgan Stanley Wealth Management's platform to improve the quality, transparency and efficiency of the end to end risk management processes for the firm and our clients.

EXEMPLIFYING SMALL-TOWN VALUES

As a team, we’re not just committed to our client community, but to the community at large. Like most of our clients, we’re not native Amelia Islanders. The Stash family chose to put down roots here in the Amelia Island area after Bill’s years in the U.S. Navy. While the natural beauty and picturesque charm of this community initially attracted us, as it does so many others, it was the warmth and generosity of spirit of the people living here that convinced us to make it our home.

Along with enjoying the company and attending events of his seven grandchildren, Bill Stash is active in his faith community, helping to provide guidance as an Elder to his church and counsel as a Board Member to the local Christian Radio Station. Andrew Stash is deeply involved with the local YMCA, coaching, refereeing, and helping ensure that health and fitness opportunities are available for all the area’s population, regardless of economic circumstances. And Karen MacNair is on the board of the Amelia Island Dance Festival, that offers not just entertainment, but education and outreach to the entire community.

We embrace Morgan Stanley’s culture of global citizenship. The firm invests in children’s health initiatives and education programs, among other causes, that better our people and society. The Amelia Island Group is proud to be part of the firm’s philanthropic tradition.

Useful Documents

Our role is to provide access to the skills and resources required to help you meet the myriad of challenges which come with managing wealth, allowing our clients to enjoy the benefits wealth affords.
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    A $695 Annual Engagement Bonus
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    Digital Vault lets you easily and securely manage and share important documents such as account statements, authorizations, tax filings and other relevant documents with your Financial Advisor.
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    Security Center
    Learn about our latest security measures, how we are safeguarding your assets and personal information and find actionable insights and resources on important cybersecurity topics to enhance your own online security.
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    Total Tax 365
    Taxes can be a substantial drag on investment returns. Morgan Stanley Total Tax 365 offers access to a broad range of tax-efficient strategies to help you integrate tax planning into your investment process all year long, maximize portfolio after-tax return potential and help keep more of what you earn.
    Learn More

Location

9900 Amelia Island Parkway
Suite 600
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
US
Direct:
(904) 572-3242(904) 572-3242

Meet The Amelia Island Group

About Bill Stash, MBA

Bill Stash feels called to empower his clients with the knowledge and confidence to achieve their financial goals. For more than two decades, first with PaineWebber, then with Wells Fargo Advisors, and now with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, he has been helping individuals, couples and families develop investment plans that target their long-term financial goals while considering their tolerance for risk.

It’s his decade in the U.S. Navy that Bill credits with providing the foundation for his subsequent success as a financial advisor. Enlisting in the Navy to serve his country and further his education, Bill trained as a Submarine Sonar Technician, learning deep listening skills, an attention to detail, a disciplined approach to planning, and a mission orientation that he’s carried over to his client service. While earning his MBA from Brenau University, Bill discovered he had a love for the field of investing. Bill realized the skills he had developed in the Navy, coupled with his education, gave him an opportunity to educate and enable people to overcome their anxieties and achieve their life dreams.

Since then, Bill has used those skills, his education and his experience to help his clients thrive in boom times and weather financial crises. He has earned a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) practitioner designation from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. He was recognized as a Wells Fargo Premier Advisor from 2014 to 2021, a distinction held by a select group of that firm’s financial advisors as measured by completion of educational components, business production and professionalism. He has also been recognized as a 2019-2022 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor, based on industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria.

Bill is a previous board member of The Boys and Girls Club of Nassau County and is actively involved with his faith community serving as an Elder in his local church. He enjoys running, bowling and playing golf. Bill and his wife Julie live on Amelia Island and have three grown children and six grandchildren.

2019-2022 Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2019-2022). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.
Securities Agent: NC, MD, SC, NY, NV, CO, WA, VA, NJ, WI, MI, IL, GA, TN, CA, TX, FL, AZ; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative

About Me

Andrew Stash distinctly remembers when he first fell in love with the world of finance: it was in fifth grade when the class played a stock broker game. His love for the field grew exponentially once he joined the industry after college and realized that as a financial advisor he could help provide clients with a greater level of confidence.

Andrew focuses on crafting long-term plans for clients who are planning for retirement, saving for their children's educations, and looking to grow and preserve their wealth. He strives to be an unflappable guide who can provide clients with a comprehensive and flexible plan but also the historic perspective and confidence to weather the inevitable changes in the market and still remain on course.

After graduating Georgia Southern University Andrew joined his father, Bill, at Wells Fargo Advisors as a Client Associate. He became a full partner one year later and achieved the title of Associate Vice President after only five years.

Andrew sits on the board of the local YMCA, where he also coaches and referees. He plays basketball in a local Men’s League and is a fan of the University of Georgia Bulldogs. Andrew and his wife Kala are both avid kayakers. They have one daughter.
Securities Agent: WA, WY, VT, TN, OH, NV, LA, MI, MA, CT, AZ, AK, SD, IN, PR, NM, MT, RI, OK, MS, MN, KS, IL, DE, AL, HI, MD, NE, NH, PA, SC, UT, WI, WV, MO, CO, OR, NY, NJ, ND, KY, ID, CA, DC, FL, GA, ME, VI, VA, TX, NC, IA, AR; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative

About Karen MacNair

Karen serves as our administrative professional. She provides excellent service by processing client requests, resolving inquiries, maintaining client records and providing solutions to client’s needs. Karen also onboards new clients by opening accounts and assisting them with becoming familiar Morgan Stanley Online and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App.

Karen has over 20 years’ experience in the financial industry and is knowledgeable in financial service products, operational procedures, and handling estate needs. She assists the Financial Advisors in developing marketing strategies and planning client events and seminars.

Karen and her husband moved to Amelia Island from St. Louis in 2013. She attended the University of Florida and the University of West Florida and has a degree in Marketing. She is on the board of the Amelia Island Dance Festival. Karen and her husband have three grown children. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, kayaking and walking on our local beaches
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
4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
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4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

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
2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
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2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

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
Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse
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Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse

Financial planning after a divorce or death can be trying, but with the right approach and the right advice you can turn a difficult situation into empowerment.

Business Planning

Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
  • Succession Planning
  • Business Planning
  • Qualified Retirement Plans
Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

Philanthropy

Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
  • Endowments
  • Foundations
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Impact Investing
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 

There’s more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here’s one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.

Financial Wellness

Enhancing Financial Wellness enables your workforce to do their best work. Companies that invest in financial wellness have an opportunity to:
  • Reduce employee stress,
  • Improve retention and engagement, and
  • Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce
Article Image

The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce

In the face of turbulent markets, the word “resilience” may be top of mind. Broadly speaking, resilience is the ability to “bounce back” when encountering life’s inevitable challenges.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Amelia Island Group today.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

1Morgan 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.

For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.

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2Morgan 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

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3Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

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4Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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5Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or 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 legal matters.

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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 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.

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7Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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8Morgan 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.

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9Morgan 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.

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10When 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.

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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:
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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 Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame 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
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)