Craig Benell, CFP®
Executive Director, Private Wealth Management, Private Wealth Advisor, Family Wealth Director, Senior Portfolio Management Director
Phone:
(310) 788-2268(310) 788-2268
Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
The Benell Group
Direct:
(310) 788-2000(310) 788-2000
Our Mission Statement
Experience, intellectual capital and dedicated personal service to help you meet your life goals
Welcome
The Benell Group delivers comprehensive wealth management solutions for families, their businesses, and philanthropic initiatives. We are dedicated to creating long-term relationships grounded in mutual success and unwavering trust.
We serve clients across diverse industries, tailoring our approach to each client's unique goals. Our mission is to deliver bespoke financial guidance to preserve, grow, and align our clients' wealth with their goals and legacy. The Benell Group empowers clients to focus on what truly matters, enhancing their lives and businesses, while we manage the complexities of their financial and investment needs.
Led by managing partners Craig and Charlie Benell, who together bring over 40 years of industry experience, The Benell Group combines deep knowledge with the extensive resources of Morgan Stanley's private and investment banking division.
Explore the "Meet The Benell Group" section below to learn more about our team.
We serve clients across diverse industries, tailoring our approach to each client's unique goals. Our mission is to deliver bespoke financial guidance to preserve, grow, and align our clients' wealth with their goals and legacy. The Benell Group empowers clients to focus on what truly matters, enhancing their lives and businesses, while we manage the complexities of their financial and investment needs.
Led by managing partners Craig and Charlie Benell, who together bring over 40 years of industry experience, The Benell Group combines deep knowledge with the extensive resources of Morgan Stanley's private and investment banking division.
Explore the "Meet The Benell Group" section below to learn more about our team.
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
About PWM
Founded in 1977, Private Wealth Management is the division of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management that is dedicated to serving the firm’s most affluent clients, including some of the world’s most accomplished entrepreneurs, executives and stewards of multigenerational wealth. Functioning as an exclusive investment boutique within a global financial firm, we deliver sophisticated solutions that leverage the intellectual capital and insight of Morgan Stanley’s substantial global resources. Drawing on a deep understanding of your financial life, our goal is to help you:
- Manage investments with an unwavering focus on your financial strategy and personal goals
- Create comprehensive, multigenerational wealth management plans based on your needs, challenges and the values that guide your life and legacy
- Simplify financial complexity to help you achieve clarity and control
Private Wealth Management Highlights
- Approximately 350 teams1 specialized in assisting individuals and families with $20MM+ in investable assets
- Over $980 billion in AUM1
- Comprising 23% of the Barron’s Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams for 2024
- Direct access to ultra high net worth experts in philanthropy, family dynamics, wealth transfer, lifestyle advisory and other areas of interest to ultra high net worth families
1 Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, December, 2024
Source: Barron's.com (May 2024) 2024 Barron's Top 250 Private Wealth Management Teams awarded in 2024. The teams are ranked on a variety of factors, including their size and shape, their regulatory records and credentials of their members, and the resources they have at their disposal to serve their client bases. The rankings are meant as a starting point for clients looking for an advisor—a first-pass vetting that can help investors narrow a search. Every advisor will have his or her own approach to investing, financial planning, and other services. Clients are encouraged to approach a search for an advisor the way they would a search for a doctor—interviewing multiple professionals and getting opinions from multiple third parties. Rankings are based on the opinions of Barron's and this ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience. This ranking is not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is not affiliated with Barron's. Barron’s is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company, L.P. All rights reserved.
Approach
Discovery Process
Investing the time to learn about you and your family; your assets and liabilities and the risk exposures, enables us to formulate strategies and customize the relationship to your needs.
Formulation of Tax, Trust and Estate Strategy
Working with your tax and legal advisors, we help analyze your income and estate tax circumstances to identify and tailor planning techniques that may be used to address your objectives.
Creation of Customized Strategic Asset Allocation
Your customized asset allocation reflects risk, opportunities and taxation across multiple entities, while integrating your investing and estate plans.
Integration of Tactical Asset Allocation
Short-term adjustments seek to capitalize on temporary market distortions. Before making adjustments, we analyze the impact of taxes and trading costs on potential returns.
Implementation of a Customized Wealth Strategy
After comprehensive due diligence and analysis of expected results across multiple market scenarios, strategies are chosen from our expansive investment platform.
Ongoing Assessment
In coordination with your other advisors, we can conduct ongoing reviews and comprehensive reporting to ensure that your strategy adapts to changing financial and family needs.
VALUABLE TOOLS AND RESOURCES
We believe financial education leads to better insights into our investment strategy and discipline, and ultimately better long-term decisions. As a result, we are committed to providing you with important information about managing your wealth more effectively in today's global market.
Thoughts on The Market Podcast
With perspectives on the forces shaping the market, join Morgan Stanley's Chief Investment Officer and Chief US Equity Strategist as he and his colleagues discuss their viewpoints regarding the latest trends in the financial marketplace
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Total Wealth View
Complete your financial picture with Total Wealth View. By linking your account information, you will benefit from more informed wealth planning, more secure data access, and convenient connectivity.
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On the Markets Research
Detailed market commentary from Morgan Stanley's though leaders on topics such as global equities, fixed income, monetary policy and more.
Read the Latest ReportLocation
1999 Ave Of The Stars
Ste 2400
Los Angeles, CA 90067
US
Direct:
(310) 788-2000(310) 788-2000
Meet The Benell Group
Charlie Benell
Private Wealth Advisor, Associate Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager
Phone:
(310) 788-2189(310) 788-2189
Megan Kobata
Wealth Management Associate
Phone:
(310) 788-2183(310) 788-2183
Bunny Halter
Senior Client Service Associate
Phone:
(310) 788-2272(310) 788-2272
About Craig Benell
Craig Benell is a Private Wealth Advisor and Executive Director at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management. Craig holds the Family Wealth Director and Senior Portfolio Management Director designations. He has provided wealth management advice and services to affluent individuals, families, and business owners since 1984. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Craig was a Private Wealth Advisor at Merrill Lynch.
Craig is a graduate of the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional. This designation is awarded by the Certified Financial Planner™ Board of Standards, Inc. Craig also holds the Certified Portfolio Manager (CPM®) designation.
Craig lives in the Pacific Palisades with his wife. He is active in his community and serves on the boards of charitable and philanthropic organizations. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf, surfing, and skiing.
Craig is a graduate of the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional. This designation is awarded by the Certified Financial Planner™ Board of Standards, Inc. Craig also holds the Certified Portfolio Manager (CPM®) designation.
Craig lives in the Pacific Palisades with his wife. He is active in his community and serves on the boards of charitable and philanthropic organizations. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf, surfing, and skiing.
Securities Agent: NV, NY, GA, NJ, DC, MO, MI, PA, NM, OR, SC, CA, CO, AZ, MA, ID, FL, TN, WI, TX, IL; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 558516
NMLS#: 558516
About Charlie Benell
Charlie Benell is a Private Wealth Advisor with The Benell Group at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management. He provides comprehensive wealth management services, including portfolio management across public and private markets, financial planning, estate planning strategies, and lending to individuals, families, and institutions.
Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Charlie started his career as a consultant at KPMG where he advised companies across a wide range of industries on mergers and acquisitions.
Charlie graduated from Mays Business School at Texas A&M University where he was a member of the Men’s Golf team. He earned his Master’s degree in finance from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. Charlie resides in Los Angeles with his wife Blair.
Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Charlie started his career as a consultant at KPMG where he advised companies across a wide range of industries on mergers and acquisitions.
Charlie graduated from Mays Business School at Texas A&M University where he was a member of the Men’s Golf team. He earned his Master’s degree in finance from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. Charlie resides in Los Angeles with his wife Blair.
Securities Agent: DC, GA, FL, TX, CA, ID, AZ, SC, NY, NM, MI, NJ, MO, MA, TN, PA, OR, NV, WI, CO, IL; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1944097
NMLS#: 1944097
About Megan Kobata
Megan Kobata is a Wealth Management Associate with The Benell Group at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management. Megan joined Morgan Stanley in 2015. She focuses on financial planning, cash management, and investment reporting.
Megan began her career in the financial services industry working for Countrywide Capital Markets managing fixed income products for middle-market institutional investors. After five years in the business, she went on to pursue her Master’s in Social Work from Boston University. She spent four years counselling families and children before making the transition to Private Wealth Management. Upon returning to the financial services industry, Megan became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®). This designation is awarded by the Certified Financial Planner™ Board of Standards, Inc.
Megan graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Santa Clara University. She lives in Pacific Palisades with her husband and two children. She volunteers with Team in Training, coaching and mentoring participants as well as participating herself in marathons and Ragnar Relay races. She enjoys running, reading, snowboarding and spending time with family.
Megan began her career in the financial services industry working for Countrywide Capital Markets managing fixed income products for middle-market institutional investors. After five years in the business, she went on to pursue her Master’s in Social Work from Boston University. She spent four years counselling families and children before making the transition to Private Wealth Management. Upon returning to the financial services industry, Megan became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®). This designation is awarded by the Certified Financial Planner™ Board of Standards, Inc.
Megan graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Santa Clara University. She lives in Pacific Palisades with her husband and two children. She volunteers with Team in Training, coaching and mentoring participants as well as participating herself in marathons and Ragnar Relay races. She enjoys running, reading, snowboarding and spending time with family.
About Bunny Halter
Bunny Halter is a Senior Client Service Associate with The Benell Group at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management. She has provided wealth management client services since 1980. Bunny began her financial services career with Merrill Lynch in Cleveland before moving to Los Angeles. Bunny oversees multiple administrative and operational initiatives. Her years of experience in addressing the needs of affluent families and her exemplary service ethic make her asset to the team. She fosters enduring relationships with clients and their extended family members. Bunny resides in Redondo Beach with her husband and their two dogs. She enjoys cooking, baking, gardening, and taking advantage of her beach community.
Contact Craig Benell
Contact Charlie Benell
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
Managing Significant Wealth
- Investment Management
- Wealth Transfer & Philanthropy
- Cash Management & Lending
- Family Governance & Wealth Education
- Lifestyle Advisory
- Business Services
Insights and Outcomes
Thought Leadership for our ultra high net worth clients, which contains thought-provoking articles, authored by leading experts from Morgan Stanley Family Office Resources.
Private Wealth Management Podcast
Bringing you engaging stories and key insights surrounding the complexities associated with significant wealth, including:
- Intergenerational Planning
- Philanthropic Giving
- Non-Traditional Assets
- Managing Family Wealth
LISTEN | Passion Assets: Investing in Art
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We look forward to discussing your needs and goals, and the exceptional resources we can place at your disposal.
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.
1Morgan Stanley’s investment advisory programs may require a minimum asset level and, depending on your specific investment objectives and financial position, may not be appropriate for you. Please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC program disclosure brochure (the “Morgan Stanley ADV”) for more information in the investment advisory programs available. The Morgan Stanley ADV is available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2Morgan 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.
3Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.
4Products and services are provided by third party service providers, not Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). Morgan Stanley may not receive a referral fee or have any input concerning such products or services. There may be additional service providers for comparative purposes. Please perform a thorough due diligence and make your own independent decision.
Morgan 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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
5Morgan 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.
6Morgan 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
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.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee.
Asset Allocation does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining financial markets.
The securities/instruments, investments and investment strategies discussed on this website may not be suitable for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment or investment strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. The views and opinions expressed on this website may not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). This website and its associated content are intended for U.S. residents only.
Morgan Stanley and its Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Visitors to this website 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.
Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Advisers may only transact business in states where they are registered or excluded or exempted from registration. Transacting business, follow-up and individualized responses involving either effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made to persons in states where Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Advisers are not registered or excluded or exempt from registration.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
See the Financial Advisors Biographies for Registration and Licensing information.
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.
Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. owns the marks CIMA®, Certified Investment Management Analyst® (with graph element)®, and Certified Investment Management Analyst® .
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers insurance products in conjunction with its licensed insurance agency affiliates.
Life insurance, disability income insurance, and long-term care insurance are offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC's licensed insurance agency affiliates.
Lifestyle Advisory Services: Products and services are provided by third party service providers, not Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). Morgan Stanley may not receive a referral fee or have any input concerning such products or services. There may be additional service providers for comparative purposes. Please perform a thorough due diligence and make your own independent decision.
Private Bankers are employees of Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association.
Morgan 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
Awards Disclosures | Morgan Stanley
1Morgan Stanley’s investment advisory programs may require a minimum asset level and, depending on your specific investment objectives and financial position, may not be appropriate for you. Please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC program disclosure brochure (the “Morgan Stanley ADV”) for more information in the investment advisory programs available. The Morgan Stanley ADV is available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2Morgan 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.
3Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.
4Products and services are provided by third party service providers, not Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). Morgan Stanley may not receive a referral fee or have any input concerning such products or services. There may be additional service providers for comparative purposes. Please perform a thorough due diligence and make your own independent decision.
Morgan 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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
5Morgan 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.
6Morgan 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
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.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee.
Asset Allocation does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining financial markets.
The securities/instruments, investments and investment strategies discussed on this website may not be suitable for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment or investment strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. The views and opinions expressed on this website may not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). This website and its associated content are intended for U.S. residents only.
Morgan Stanley and its Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Visitors to this website 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.
Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Advisers may only transact business in states where they are registered or excluded or exempted from registration. Transacting business, follow-up and individualized responses involving either effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made to persons in states where Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Advisers are not registered or excluded or exempt from registration.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
See the Financial Advisors Biographies for Registration and Licensing information.
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.
Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. owns the marks CIMA®, Certified Investment Management Analyst® (with graph element)®, and Certified Investment Management Analyst® .
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers insurance products in conjunction with its licensed insurance agency affiliates.
Life insurance, disability income insurance, and long-term care insurance are offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC's licensed insurance agency affiliates.
Lifestyle Advisory Services: Products and services are provided by third party service providers, not Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). Morgan Stanley may not receive a referral fee or have any input concerning such products or services. There may be additional service providers for comparative purposes. Please perform a thorough due diligence and make your own independent decision.
Private Bankers are employees of Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association.
Morgan 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
Awards Disclosures | Morgan Stanley
CRC 4237142 (02/2025)