Managing Director, Wealth Management, Financial Advisor, Workplace Advisor – Equity Compensation
Phone:
(925) 730-3820(925) 730-3820
The Bay Area Synergos Group at Morgan Stanley
Direct:
(925) 730-3872(925) 730-3872
Our Mission Statement
Experience, intellectual capital and dedicated personal service to help you meet your life goals
Our Story and Services
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.
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Location
4309 Hacienda Drive
Ste 200
Pleasanton, CA 94588
US
Direct:
(925) 730-3872(925) 730-3872
Meet The Bay Area Synergos Group
Kristopher Watts, CRPC®
Vice President, Investment Consultant, Financial Planning Specialist
Phone:
(925) 730-3851(925) 730-3851
Andrea Day
Senior Client Service Associate
Phone:
(925) 730-3872(925) 730-3872
Sujan Chyo
Assistant Vice President, Consulting Group Analyst
Phone:
(925) 730-3873(925) 730-3873
About David Lu, CPWA®, CIMA®
David brings more than 20 years of combined international financial management and investment experience to every client he advises. Many of these clients are senior corporate executives who look to him for guidance in maximizing their equity compensation and managing the risk of concentrated employee stock positions.
David began his career in Tokyo, Japan as a securities analyst for an institutional fund manager. He returned to Silicon Valley in 1999 to serve as an internal audit specialist and senior analyst at such well known technology firms as McAfee and Yahoo. It was when his father asked him for retirement planning advice, however, that David found his true calling. He realized he wanted to use his analytical skills to assist people work towards achieving their fondest financial aspirations. That was when he joined a Morgan Stanley predecessor firm in 2007 and built a successful practice as a Financial Advisor. Three years later, he joined forces with Bill Vaculin to form the team that would eventually become The Bay Area Synergos Group. Today, he plays a critical role in the team’s advisory efforts, researching third party equity managers, serving as a source of guidance on tax issues and cash flow optimization, and helping clients formulate strategies that go beyond their investments to encompass virtually every aspect of their financial lives.
A non-practicing CPA, David has constantly strived to enhance his credentials. He has earned such prestigious industry designations as Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA®) from the University of Chicago. In addition, he is a Morgan Stanley credentialed Workplace Advisor-Equity Compensation.
A graduate of Santa Clara University with a degree in Business, David received his MBA from University of Hawaii at Manoa. He is a former United States Professional Tennis Association Certified Pro and has served as a volunteer coach at his son’s high school, The Athenian School in Danville, California. His son is now a college student and David no longer coaches, but he still loves the game, playing USTA League matches whenever he’s not working with clients and spending time with his wife Hermie.
David began his career in Tokyo, Japan as a securities analyst for an institutional fund manager. He returned to Silicon Valley in 1999 to serve as an internal audit specialist and senior analyst at such well known technology firms as McAfee and Yahoo. It was when his father asked him for retirement planning advice, however, that David found his true calling. He realized he wanted to use his analytical skills to assist people work towards achieving their fondest financial aspirations. That was when he joined a Morgan Stanley predecessor firm in 2007 and built a successful practice as a Financial Advisor. Three years later, he joined forces with Bill Vaculin to form the team that would eventually become The Bay Area Synergos Group. Today, he plays a critical role in the team’s advisory efforts, researching third party equity managers, serving as a source of guidance on tax issues and cash flow optimization, and helping clients formulate strategies that go beyond their investments to encompass virtually every aspect of their financial lives.
A non-practicing CPA, David has constantly strived to enhance his credentials. He has earned such prestigious industry designations as Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA®) from the University of Chicago. In addition, he is a Morgan Stanley credentialed Workplace Advisor-Equity Compensation.
A graduate of Santa Clara University with a degree in Business, David received his MBA from University of Hawaii at Manoa. He is a former United States Professional Tennis Association Certified Pro and has served as a volunteer coach at his son’s high school, The Athenian School in Danville, California. His son is now a college student and David no longer coaches, but he still loves the game, playing USTA League matches whenever he’s not working with clients and spending time with his wife Hermie.
Securities Agent: NH, WI, OH, MA, NV, WA, VA, ID, MN, UT, WY, AL, GA, HI, IA, VT, TN, FL, SD, NC, NJ, MD, ME, NM, TX, MT, MS, SC, IN, LA, AZ, NY, AR, OK, CT, RI, PA, OR, MO, IL, KY, MI, CO, DE, CA, PR; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1274510
NMLS#: 1274510
About Kristopher Watts
Kris Watts is an Investment Consultant & Financial Planning Specialist at Morgan Stanley. He is the newest member of our team and has been with Morgan Stanley since 2015. Over the past few years as an advisor, Kris has developed a holistic approach to Wealth Management by focusing on integrated goals-based financial planning. Some of his areas of focus is asset aggregation, cash-flow analysis, and comprehensive financial plan construction. He currently holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor® designation administered by the College for Financial Planning, and has been a part of the “Pacesetter’s Club” within the firm for the past three consecutive years.
Kris is a bay area native and grew up in Fremont, CA with his two older siblings. He attended Santa Clara University on an athletic scholarship and in 2006 was also selected in the 16th round of the MLB amateur draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. After graduating, Kris spent 8 seasons as a catcher in professional baseball traveling up and down the eastern seaboard playing for the Pirates and the Washington Nationals.
Kris is a bay area native and grew up in Fremont, CA with his two older siblings. He attended Santa Clara University on an athletic scholarship and in 2006 was also selected in the 16th round of the MLB amateur draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. After graduating, Kris spent 8 seasons as a catcher in professional baseball traveling up and down the eastern seaboard playing for the Pirates and the Washington Nationals.
Securities Agent: PA, IL, NM, MI, DE, TN, MS, ID, IA, DC, ND, MD, IN, AK, WY, OK, NV, CO, WI, VI, NH, MT, MA, KS, AR, NJ, NC, ME, HI, GA, CT, WV, WA, VT, SC, NE, KY, FL, CA, AZ, AL, UT, TX, OR, LA, PR, MO, MN, VA, SD, RI, OH, NY; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1421414
NMLS#: 1421414
About Sujan Chyo
CA Insurance License #: #0E85254
Contact David Lu, CPWA®, CIMA®
Contact Kristopher Watts
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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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*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
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.
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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:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.
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 Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
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.
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