The Bethesda Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley

Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023 - 2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in Jan of year prior to the issuance of the award.

Josh Schneider, CFP^®
Executive Director

Jason Martin, CFA, CFP^®
Senior Vice President

April 3rd, 2024 - Josh Schneider Named to the Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, Maryland Ranking #88

2021 - 2024 Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2021 - 2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.

April 3rd, 2024 - Jason Martin Named to the Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, Maryland Ranking #114

2021 - 2024 Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2021 - 2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.

February 11, 2021 - Josh Schneider Named to the Forbes Next Generation Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, Maryland Ranking #113 out of 129

September 3, 2019 - Josh Schneider Named to the Forbes Next Generation Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, Maryland Ranking #10 out of 62

July 25, 2018 - Josh Schneider Named to the Forbes List of Top Next Generation Wealth Advisors, National Ranking #319 out of 1,000

July 25, 2017 - Josh Schneider Named to the Forbes List of Top Next Generation Wealth Advisors, National Ranking #277 out of 500, Maryland Ranking #16 out of 24

Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2017 - 2021). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month period concluding in Mar of the year the award was issued.

2017 - 2021 Forbes America's Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors & Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State (formerly referred to as Forbes America's Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Forbes Top 1,000 Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Forbes Top 500 Next Generation Wealth Advisors)

Our relationship begins with an initial discussion aimed towards getting to know you, your lifestyle, and your future goals.

During the discovery meeting, we will work together to establish your financial goals by reviewing your current financial situation and developing a suitable risk tolerance that will ultimately help you achieve the financial outcome you envision for yourself.

Financial plan presentations map out essential factors that play into your financial success such as your employee and employer contributions, liquidity events, and insurance coverage. Examining all relevant financial information provides a holistic asset allocation analysis for all of your accounts ensuring a comprehensive financial plan.

Asset Allocation does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining financial markets

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers insurance products in conjunction with its licensed insurance agency affiliates.

After the financial plan presentation, we will follow up with you regarding our analysis and recommendations, which may include adjustments to your financial plan, investment allocation, company benefits and insurance coverage.

The implementation meeting focuses on creating prospective strategies custom designed for your specific needs. Recommended changes could include logistics, tax impact, asset allocation adjustments, and saving and benefit modifications.

Finally, we will be constantly monitoring your assets and analyzing your performance tracking data to ensure your financial expectations are being met and adjusted accordingly. We will keep a high degree of communication with you to make sure your concerns and requests are always addressed.


Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC 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 visit us at http://www.morganstanleyindividual.com or consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences.

Explore the basics of estate planning, outlining the set of documents suggested for your clients to make their intentions clear.
• Power of attorney
• Healthcare directive
• Last will and testament
• Revocable trusts

Learn about the parameters around Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts and how they can be used to move appreciation in an asset to the next generation.
• Annuity payments
• IRS Section 7520 Rate

Questions/answers, definitions and ideas for structuring your personal trust can be found on the link below.
• Creating a Trust
• Estate Planning

Discover how life insurance policy proceeds can be passed down to family members without the imposition of state tax.
• Cash gifts
• Existing life insurance policy transfers

Learn more about the parameters around estate and gift taxes with guidance on the tax-efficient ways clients can give.
• The Federal Estate and Gift Tax
• Non-taxable transfers

Explore how UHNW individuals can pass assets outright or in trusts to generations below their children.
• Direct transfers
• Indirect transfers

Joseph is an Executive Director at Morgan Stanley and a Wealth & Estate Planning Strategist for the Mid-Atlantic region of the firm. In this role he works with the firm’s most ultra high net worth clients and their outside advisors on strategic solutions in the areas of estate, tax and family governance. Utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach he is able to bring Morgan Stanley’s wide range of specialists to focus on solutions affecting the ultra high net worth client space. Utilizing both internal and external resources, Joseph works with clients their accountants and attorneys to develop deep intergenerational solutions and efficiency. Joseph brings the firm’s intellectual capital to clients and their professional service providers through sophisticated trust modeling, tax analysis and investment strategies and analysis. Joseph also teaches and grades Financial Advisors who enroll in the Morgan Stanley Family Wealth Director program and works closely with Morgan Stanley Gift. He is a frequent lecturer for the firm and actively speaks on topics ranging from tax strategy,
diversity and governance.

Joseph has over 25 years’ experience in the areas of investment analysis, law, tax and business. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley Joseph was an executive vice president at CITI/Smith Barney, a principal at Duane Morris / Wescott and headed the Federal tax shelter practice for Arthur Andersen LLP.

He holds degrees in both Economics and Sociology from the University of Massachusetts, law degrees from Western Michigan Cooley Law School and Villanova University School of Law. Joseph is also a member of the New Jersey Bar, Wharton Securities Executive Institute and holds series 7,66 and 24 licenses.

Although certain professionals may be admitted attorneys, these professionals holding legal degrees act purely in a non-representative capacity. Morgan Stanley, and its affiliates, its Private Wealth Advisors/Financial Advisors and other employees do not provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your own tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and your attorney for matters involving trusts and estate planning.

Melanie Schnoll Begun is Head of Philanthropy Management for Morgan Stanley Family Office Resources. For over 20 years, she has worked with many of the Firm’s wealthiest and most influential clients to marry their philanthropic interests with their financial goals. Her team develops focus areas for client’s philanthropy; engages senior and millennial generations in their foundation’s governance; designs customized grant portfolios; aligns client values with impactful investing; and facilitates giving circles, board retreats and educational events.

In 2000, Melanie launched Morgan Stanley GIFT, the Firm’s global Donor-Advised Fund. In 2012, she launched
Foundation Management Services, a philanthropic advisory and administrative services platform for corporate and private foundations. She is also responsible for the firm’s Nonprofit and Endowment Consulting Services.

A thought leader, Melanie was honored in May 2014 by the Rotary Club of Verrazano as “Humanitarian of the Year,” and in June 2013 received the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s “Perseverance Award.” She was also named to the 2017 class of MAKERS@ Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, a recognition that celebrates women who are ground breakers, advocates, and innovators in their given field. Melanie is the co-editor of Morgan Stanley’s “Perspectives in Philanthropy” and is a popular speaker. She has published articles in the Journal of Taxation, has been quoted in The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, Bloomberg and Investment News and has appeared on such programs as “Good Morning America” and CBS News. She received her law degree from Quinnipiac University Law School.

Melanie is an insightful and tireless advocate and exemplifies her professional work by living a life of committed action. She is the former board president and nominating chair of the JDRF New York City chapter and a board member of Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY). She serves as Morgan Stanley GIFT’s Board President and is on the supporting organization board of the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls and The People’s Portfolio. Melanie was formerly on the advisory boards of the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, Quinnipiac University Law School and Grameen America.

Although certain professionals may be admitted attorneys, these professionals holding legal degrees act purely in a non-representative capacity. Morgan Stanley, and its affiliates, its Private Wealth Advisors/Financial Advisors and other employees do not provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your own tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and your attorney for matters involving trusts and estate planning.

Keith Maxey is a Planning Analyst in Estate Planning Strategies tasked with providing a wide range of services. He performs detailed financial reviews for some of Morgan Stanley’s most important clients, concentrating on areas that are most important to them. The reviews may cover topics including wealth transfer, philanthropic planning, asset protection, cash flow modeling and probability analysis. Additionally, Keith assists Financial Advisors in client discovery, helping them gather required information for the most accurate comprehensive analysis. He also provides Financial Advisors reports illustrating specific wealth transfer strategies and equity compensation reviews.

In 2006 Keith joined the firm as a Financial Planning Project Manager and has been working in the Wealth Planning Center since 2012. In his previous role he built relationships with Financial Advisors and branch support staff by instructing them on financial planning concepts and demonstrating how to illustrate their client recommendations in a variety of applications. Keith was also an integral member of the Financial Planning team that brought into the firm advanced, customized Financial Planning software. He continues to stay current on Financial Planning techniques.

Keith spends the vast majority of his time outside of work volunteering in areas that educates and improves the lives of those in New York City communities. He enjoys traveling with his wife and participating in outdoor activities such as snowboarding and camping.

Keith received his B.S. from Wentworth Institute Technology in Boston, Massachusetts. Keith is Series 7 and Series 66 licensed. In 2007 Keith obtained the designation Financial Planning Specialist.