About Us

2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams

The Atrium has been named to the 2024 - 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams ranking developed by SHOOK Research. Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jan 2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based for the period from 3/31/23–3/31/24. Source: Forbes.com

As your Financial Advisors, we can help you define and strive to meet your goals by delivering a vast array of resources to you in the way that is most appropriate for how you invest and what you want to achieve. Working together we can help you to preserve and grow your wealth. You'll have access to some of the world's most seasoned and respected investment professionals, a premier trading and execution platform and a full spectrum of investment choices.

2025 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors

Charlie Albanese was named to the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors from 2020-2025. This distinction is based on the ratings of thousands of wealth advisors and weighing factors like revenue trends, AUM, compliance records, industry experience and best practices learned through telephone and in-person interviews.

Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors
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.

Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Awards & Recognitions

    Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors
    Charlie Albanese was named to the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors from 2020-2025. This distinction is based on the ratings of thousands of wealth advisors and weighing factors like revenue trends, AUM, compliance records, industry experience and best practices learned through telephone and in-person interviews.

    Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
    Source: Forbes (Awarded Jan 2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC for the period 3/31/23-3/31/24
    Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
    The Atrium Group was named to the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams from 2023-2025. This distinction is based on the ratings of thousands of wealth management teams and weighing factors like revenue trends, AUM, compliance records, industry experience and best practices learned through telephone and in-person interviews.

    Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
    Source: Forbes (Awarded Jan 2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC for the period 3/31/23-3/31/24
    The Atrium Group Named to Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams 2023

WORKPLACE FINANCIAL BENEFITS WITH MORGAN STANLEY AT WORK

Our mission is to help your company elevate your workplace financial benefits—helping you to attract and retain top talent. Our end-to-end solutions support your company and employees at any stage of growth through a powerful combination of modern technology, insightful guidance, and dedicated service.

    Equity Solutions

    Equity ownership is a powerful motivator. Streamline equity management through our leading-edge technology and provide global audit-ready reporting and insights, alongside customizable participant experiences to engage and educate your employees on how to make the most of their benefits. Our global solutions support private and public companies at any stage of growth.

    • Equity Administration and Financial Reporting
    • Liquidity Events
    • 409A Valuation Services and Cap Table Management

    Learn more
    Retirement

    For your employees, retirement is more than a date in the future—it's a milestone that takes time, hard work, and the right tools. Through our consultative process, we strive to assist with the management of your fiduciary responsibilities and risk, simplify plan management, and help you improve retirement readiness for your employees.

    • Defined Contribution Consulting
    • Solutions-Oriented Plans
    • Fiduciary Investment Oversight

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    Deferred Compensation

    Access a range of Nonqualified Deferred Compensation plan services or pick the ones that best fit your needs. We provide recordkeeping and plan design, portfolio construction services, and plan education for your executive talent. We help you determine the appropriate plan design and inform a funding strategy through a needs-based assessment and consultative approach.

    Services include:

    • Recordkeeping and Plan Design
    • Portfolio Construction
    • Wealth Management Services
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    Executive Services

    Our dedicated team provides concierge-level support for your executives' equity compensation plans, from 10b5-1 trading plans to form filing related to Rule 144 transactions, to access to wealth management and tax-optimization strategies, so helping them navigate their complex financial needs with greater confidence and certainty:

    • Equity Compensation Services
    • Equity Award Analysis
    • Specialized Solutions
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    Saving and Giving

    Saving and Giving benefits can make a real difference in your employees' lives as they can support the things that matter most to them—like saving for education and repaying student loans. Show that you are committed to your employees' priorities with leading-edge solutions that help them chart a path toward financial well-being.

    • College Savings
    • Student Loan Repayment and Refinancing
    • Charitable Giving
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    Financial Wellness

    We offer Financial Wellness with every solution we provide. Through a powerful combination of education, digital tools and guidance, Financial Wellness is designed to address the unique needs of your employees and empower their financial journey at every stage. Give your employees the confidence to take charge of their finances.

    • Financial Education
    • Digital Tools
    • Financial Guidance

    Learn more

Location

55 East 52nd Street 10th
Fl
New York, NY 10055
US
Direct:
(212) 692-2887(212) 692-2887

Meet The Atrium Group

About Charles R Albanese

Charlie holds a BA degree in Economics and Marketing from Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT.

Charlie has worked at Morgan Stanley and its predecessor firms as a Financial Advisor for 31 years. He became a Financial Advisor with Shearson Lehman Brothers in 1991, at the age of 24, currently a legacy firm of Morgan Stanley. Working at the same firm through mergers with likes of Salomon Brothers, Smith Barney, and Citibank has enabled Charlie to experience many financial industry vantage points.

Some of his Industry Education and licensing include a Financial Planning Specialist designation, both a Series 63 and Series 7 license. Within the Morgan Stanley Portfolio Management Program, Charlie is designated as Senior Portfolio Manager. Moreover, Charlie is Life and Variable Annuity Insurance Licensed.

Charlie works with clients coming from all walks of life. He enjoys helping these clients simplify their financial lives, allowing more time to be spent on their own careers, families and life interests. Charlie will attempt to achieve their financial goals utilizing a variety of financial services.

He has been a member of the Masters Council at Morgan Stanley since 2011.

Charlie lives in Manhasset NY, with his wife Loraine and their two daughters, both of whom have recently graduated from college.
Securities Agent: UT, NC, OR, MO, MD, LA, IA, CA, VT, TX, SC, KS, AZ, WA, NV, WV, NM, IN, WI, NY, MT, IL, ID, WY, MN, MI, FL, PR, ME, MA, DE, DC, CT, RI, NH, HI, CO, VA, GA, PA, OH, NJ, NE; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1278817

About Gary A Blumenfeld

Gary holds a BBA degree in Accounting from Bernard M. Baruch College in New York City (NYC).
Gary earned his CPA license* after working with Coopers & Lybrand from 1978 to 1981. After that he continued his accounting and financial career at Bankers Trust. In 1989 he left Bankers Trust to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams by launching and later selling a small business in 2000. Gary continued on as a consultant for the acquiring company for 4 years.
In January of 2005 Gary decided to continue pursuing his entrepreneurial interests, while re-visiting his financial background, and joined Smith Barney now Morgan Stanley* as a Financial Advisor. In his first two years at Morgan Stanley*, Gary had earned significant achievements and was promoted to 2nd Vice President – Wealth Management. Gary’s biggest strengths are his ability to listen to his clients in order to understand their goals, dreams and risk profiles, which he then uses to craft the financial strategy that is appropriate for the client. Matching investment strategies to a client’s goals and time horizons is a critical component of Gary’s approach.
In May, 2011 Gary achieved the designation of Chartered Retirement Plans SpecialistSM (CRPS®) at the College for Financial Planning.
*non practicing
Securities Agent: CA, UT, NY, NM, NJ, MI, DE, WY, WI, VA, TX, MA, IA, GA, NC, MN, ME, FL, AZ, MT, LA, IN, IL, CO, WV, MD, NV, NE, MO, ID, SC, OR, KS, HI, WA, VT, PA, DC, CT, NH; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1265261

About Christopher J McKeefrey

Chris first began his professional career as a Client Service Associate at Smith Barney, now Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in 2001. During this tenure Chris worked with numerous Financial Advisors in administrative & support capacities helping them to service their existing book of clients. It was during this time that Chris began to recognize the impact that Financial Advisors can have on all aspects of the lives of client’s and their loved ones.
In 2004, with this new found perspective in mind, Chris transitioned himself within MSSB from his support role to a Financial Advisor, whose primary responsibility would be to advise the financial lives of his client’s. During his first couple of years in production Chris was recognized among his peers as a Blue Chip Council Member and in 2008 was promoted to First Vice President – Wealth Management. The part of the business that Chris finds most rewarding is in truly getting to know his client’s on a personal & professional level, as the wealth management process begins by obtaining a complete profile and appreciation of a client’s financial circumstances. This understanding of a client’s financial goals, tolerance for risk & time horizon is then used to chart a financial plan and implement a corresponding investment strategy. Once the course is plotted, Chris employs a disciplined approach to keep clients on track through life’s uncertainties to help them achieve their objectives. Chris enjoys working with numerous high net worth families, small businesses & foundations that have entrusted him with the responsibility of managing their financial lives.
In his free time, Chris enjoys skiing with his family at Windham Mountain where he is a member of the Volunteer Ski Patrol & spending time with his wife Lauren & children (Shea & Ryan).
Securities Agent: NY, FL, VA, IA, MT, MI, LA, WA, RI, NV, MA, KS, HI, GA, DC, CT, WI, VT, CA, NE, CO, PA, OR, NM, NC, IL, ID, DE, WY, NJ, NH, MO, AZ, SC, MN, ME, MD, WV, UT, TX, IN; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1278668

About Anne L Navasky

Anne graduated from New York University with a degree in English Literature and started work shortly thereafter at the firm of A.G.Becker where she was employed by the Institutional Sales Team under the direction of Richard Gilder, Jr.    While there, she supervised the order desk and met with various institutional clients of the team as well as with the individual personal clients of each of the team members.   This was during the 1960’s, a period when Hedge funds were just coming into being, many of which were clients of the team;  and it was here that she was afforded an unusual opportunity to learn about portfolio construction and security analysis.  After becoming a registered investment advisor at A. G. Becker and attracting a clientele of individual investors, she moved to the firm of Shearson Hammill to team with her mother who was one of the first women brokers on Wall Street.  She has been employed with the same firm essentially since then, although through many transformations, acquisitions and name changes.
As a financial advisor over the years, Anne has become fascinated by the way an investor can find in the daily newspapers, much of the information needed to manage investments.  As a result, she reads three newspapers daily.    Her clients are from many walks of life, but are concentrated in the world of education and authorship.  She is married to Victor Navasky and has 3 children and 5 grandchildren.
Securities Agent: WA, IN, CO, OR, NC, MO, LA, KS, WV, WI, MN, VA, SC, NV, IL, CA, UT, TX, NY, NM, DE, DC, AZ, WY, MD, MA, IA, NJ, MI, GA, FL, VT, NE, MT, ID, HI, CT, PA, NH, ME; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1265319

About John M Robards

John Robards CFA is a Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager, and International Client Advisor with 37 years of experience in the Financial Services industry.  John graduated from Hamilton College in 1984 with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, and earned his Chartered Financial Analyst charter in 1999.  John is a native of Westchester County in the New York City suburbs, and lives there now with his wife Poppy.
Securities Agent: LA, FL, WA, OR, NE, MO, MA, AL, UT, NC, CO, WV, PA, MD, IL, SC, NJ, NH, MI, GA, CT, CA, NY, MT, IN, AZ, WY, TX, SD, RI, ID, DC, VA, MN, HI, AR, NM, KS, IA, VT, NV, DE, WI, ME; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1282589

About Thomas Nixon

Tom Nixon is a Senior Vice President and financial advisor. His ability to understand his clients needs comes from a lifetime of diverse life/business experience. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest introduced Tom to farming, work as a Park Ranger-Law enforcement officer at Yellowstone National Park, a self-made business owner and also a manager at Nordstrom prior to his 17 years in the financial industry.  His unique background of diverse encounters help aid in assessing his clients individual needs, while providing excellent customer service.
Securities Agent: WY, TX, MI, ME, DE, VT, SC, KS, AZ, WA, NH, MN, IA, WV, WI, VA, NC, HI, NE, MO, MA, FL, OR, NM, LA, DC, PA, MD, CT, MT, IL, UT, NV, IN, NY, NJ, ID, GA, CO, CA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1279595
CA Insurance License #: 0G42330

About Helen M Truax

Securities Agent: NY, VT, UT, ID, IA, CT, NC, OR, MO, IN, DE, WY, TX, NM, MD, FL, CA, AL, WI, PR, MI, HI, DC, NV, NJ, ME, KS, OH, NH, LA, AR, WA, VA, PA, NE, MA, IL, GA, MN, WV, CO, AZ, MT, SC; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 2651564
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

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Equity Compensation

Helping you make the most of your equity awards and better understand how it may fit into your your larger financial picture – today and tomorrow.

  • Vesting events
  • Option expirations
  • Restricted stock units
  • Tax implications

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.

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
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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 Atrium Group today.
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1Investors should consider many factors before deciding which 529 plan is appropriate. Some of these factors include: the Plan’s investment options and the historical investment performance of these options, the Plan’s flexibility and features, the reputation and expertise of the Plan’s investment manager, Plan contribution limits and the federal and state tax benefits associated with an investment in the Plan. Some states, for example, offer favorable tax treatment and other benefits to their residents only if they invest in the state’s own Qualified Tuition Program. Investors should determine their home state’s tax treatment of 529 plans when considering whether to choose an in-state or out-of-state plan. Investors should consult with their tax or legal advisor before investing in any 529 Plan or contact their state tax division for more information. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not provide tax and/or legal advice. Investors should review a Program Disclosure Statement, which contains more information on investment options, risk factors, fees and expenses and possible tax consequences.

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2Annuities are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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3Morgan 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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4When 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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5Morgan 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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6Morgan 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.

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7Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.

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8Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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9Municipal 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.

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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 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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11The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) aware investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because ESG criteria exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining financial market.

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12Morgan 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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Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

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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.

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Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)