Welcome

At The Blue Lake Group, everything we do is driven by purpose. We partner with high-net-worth individuals and families to help them navigate the complexities of managing generational wealth - intentionally and strategically. Through thoughtful collaboration with your accountants, attorneys, and other trusted advisors, we create financial plans and investment strategies that are not only customized, but also aligned with what matters most to you.

We believe that meaningful financial guidance starts with understanding your purpose. That's why we take the time to explore your goals, values, and long-term vision. With that foundation, we apply insight and experience to develop a plan that reflects your intentions. Every decision is made with care and clarity to support your unique journey.
We take a proactive and intentional role in every aspect of your financial life, including estate planning, tax strategy, succession planning, and philanthropic giving. Our goal is to help you maximize the impact of your wealth, today and across generations, by focusing on what truly matters to you.

Our model is holistic, rooted in empathy, education and forward thinking strategy. We don't just manage assets; we help clients align their wealth with their purpose. True financial success is about more than just returns; it's about building a legacy of meaning and intention.

Awards and Recognitions
Awarded by Forbes, Best-In-State Wealth Management team in 2023, 2024, 2025.
Carter Bass- Awarded by Forbes, Top Next-Gen Best-In-State Wealth Advisors in 2025

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

Our clients are individuals and families with active lives who rely on us to provide them with thorough, unbiased, and carefully considered guidance on a full range of financial topics. When you work with us, we commit to treat you with respect, care, and confidentiality.

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    1. Understanding You

    - Gauge your personal risk threshold
    - Establish objectives and deadlines to achieve them
    - Consider any special factors

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    4. Financial Planning

    - Discuss credit and lending
    - Examine exposure to risk and liability
    - Analyze financial performance under various scenerios

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    2. Developing Your Plan

    - Analyze current portfolio
    - Develop a tailored strategy
    - Review Investment Policy Summary
    - Implement strategy

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    5. Planing for Your Future

    - Beneficiary review
    - Retirement planning
    - Estate planning
    - Education planning
    - Charitable planning

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    3. Following Up

    - Review statements
    - Set up Morgan Stanley Online
    - Schedule ongoing meetings

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    6. Annual Meeting

    - Portfolio and strategy review
    - Make adjustments

Stay up to date with the latest research, market updates, insights from Morgan Stanley experts and more.

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    GIC Weekly

    Lisa Shalett of the Global Investment Committee leads this weekly overview of the markets, asset class performance, and fixed income developments.

    GIC Weekly Updates
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    GIC on the Markets

    Morgan Stanley's market specialists provide thorough analysis on diverse areas such as worldwide equities, fixed-income investments, economic policy, and other critical developments.

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    Morgan Stanley Research

    Through comprehensive and timely analysis of companies, industries, markets, and global economies, Morgan Stanley has established itself as a recognized leader in investment research.

    Catch Up On the Latest Articles
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    Thoughts on the Market Podcast

    Insights into the key forces influencing market dynamics.

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    Corporate Executives

    Specializing in the design and management of 10b5-1 trading plans, this service offers a structured, compliant solution for executing stock transactions while reducing the risk of insider trading.

The Blue Lake Group delivers a personalized approach to wealth management beginning with a meticulously crafted financial plan. Our clients’ plans reflect all the major stages of their lives and serve as a lifelong resource. These plans also serve as a guide for the creation of the ideal portfolio for you and your family.
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    Morgan Stanley Online
    Through Morgan Stanley Online you can securely manage investment accounts, everyday finances, and advisory tools through a single interface.
    Login/ Register Here
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    LifeView-Intelligent Planning
    A suite of planning tools offering goal-specific analysis to help create integrated strategies that align with each client's investment and cash management needs.
    LifeView Client Profile Form
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    Total Wealth View
    Looking at all your assets in one place allows your advisor to offer guidance on your Morgan Stanley accounts with a full understanding of your overall financial situation.
    Click Here to Learn More
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    2025 Tax Tables
    This essential resource provides a detailed overview of the 2025 tax rate schedule, outlining limits for education and health savings accounts, retirement contributions, deductions and more. With tax season approaching, staying well informed is essential.
    2025 Tax Tables
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    Goal Planning System (GPS)
    Developed using Morgan Stanleys intellectual capital and proprietary resources, GPS is a sophisticated and integrated planning platform that enables advisors to evaluate whether clients are on track to meet their financial objectives.
    Start Planning Now
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    Additional Resource
    Check out this Financial Plan Questionnaire:
    Click to View Questionnaire
Alternative investments are non-traditional assets, like real estate, private equity, or hedge funds, that don’t behave like stocks, bonds, or cash. They’re called “alternative” because they operate differently from standard investments and usually aren’t closely tied to market movements. While they can help diversify a portfolio and boost returns, they often carry higher risk and illiquid.
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    Private Equity
    Private market strategies- such as buyouts, growth equity, and venture capital- seek to provide higher return potential and broader diversification than traditional public equities by accessing opportunities not available in public markets.
    Learn More About Private Equity
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    Private Credit
    Private credit investing is a key pillar of Morgan Stanley Investment Management’s alternative investments platform. We manage a defined set of strategies and work in partnership with our portfolio companies.
    Learn More
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    Real Estate
    Private real estate offers portfolio diversification through an inflation-resistant, tax-advantaged asset with income potential and long-term growth.
    Real Estate Capabilities
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    Multi-Asset Solutions
    We focus on creating tailored alternative investment solutions to help financial advisors meet their clients' specific goals around risk, return, liquidity.
    Custom Multi-Asset Solutions

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

    Learn more
    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
    Learn more
    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
    Learn more
    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
    Learn more
    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

233 S Wacker Dr
Ste 8600
Chicago, IL 60606
US
Direct:
(312) 419-3361(312) 419-3361
8889 Pelican Bay Blvd
Suite 300
Naples, FL 34108
US
Direct:
(312) 937-1194(312) 937-1194

Meet The Blue Lake Group

About Carter Bass

Carter Bass is a First Vice President, Financial Advisor, Alternative Investments Director, and Dedicated Equity Plan Specialist at Morgan Stanley. Carter first joined The Blue Lake Group at Morgan Stanley in August 2017 in our downtown Chicago office. Prior to joining the team, Carter attended The Kelley School of Business at Indiana University where he graduated with a BS degree in Marketing.

Carter now focuses on helping corporate executives and high net-worth families advance and protect their wealth by engaging with them on important issues such as stock concentration, estate planning and portfolio construction. Carter’s focus in the Alternative Investments space allows him to deliver innovative investment opportunities to help strengthen client portfolios and better align them with their financial goals. Carter’s continued dedication to helping clients has earned him national recognition in the industry as a Forbes Top Next-Gen Best-In-State Wealth Advisor for 2023 and 2024.

Carter and his wife currently reside in Chicago’s Old Town Neighborhood. Carter is passionate about traveling, Green Bay Packers football and enjoys an active lifestyle playing basketball, golfing, snow skiing and chasing around his Golden Retriever, Ralph.




2023 and 2024 Forbes America’s Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors & Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023 and 2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month period concluding in Mar of the year the award was issued.
Securities Agent: NH, FL, IA, KY, OK, ID, WV, WA, TX, ND, PA, UT, VA, NV, NM, MN, ME, MO, SC, CA, WI, NJ, SD, NE, NC, MI, WY, VT, OR, TN, MT, OH, MD, KS, VI, RI, MS, NY, MA, AK, IL, AR, CT, DE, LA, AZ, IN, GA, CO, DC, HI, AL; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1744848

About Michael J. DeVries

Michael DeVries joined The Blue Lake Group at Morgan Stanley in 2019 and has been providing investment guidance and planning advice to his clients for over a decade. Michael enjoys helping High Net-Worth Families and Businesses define and achieve their financial goals and objectives. In doing so he guides clients through a variety of challenging areas including maximization of Equity Compensation, planning for Retirement Benefits, and employing Alternative Investment Strategies.

Michael has been recognized as a 5 Star Wealth Manager in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Michael graduated from the University of Illinois- Chicago with a Bachelors in Business Administration. When Michael is not in the office or seeing clients, he can be found Golfing, Wakeboarding or spending time with his family in South Florida.
Securities Agent: RI, NJ, SC, NE, ND, MI, IN, HI, AZ, UT, DE, MS, VI, ID, WV, ME, SD, NM, AK, VT, TX, OH, NH, MN, KY, VA, MA, FL, DC, TN, NY, NV, LA, AR, AL, WY, WI, PA, NC, MO, KS, IA, GA, CA, IL, OK, MD, CO, OR, MT, CT, WA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1282657

About Gianna Bugno

Gianna Bugno is a Business Development Associate with the Blue Lake Group. Prior to joining the team in 2020, Gianna earned her B.S. in Finance and Banking with a minor in Economics from the University of Missouri.

Gianna handles executive interaction including trading, transaction support, and money movement. She ensures the team is continuously evolving by producing materials aimed at enhancing the complete client experience. Gianna earned her Series 7 and 66 Licenses, as well as her Illinois Life and Health Insurance Licenses.

Gianna resides in Chicago and enjoys spending time at the lakefront, exercising and traveling to new places with her family and friends.

About Bella Anichini

Bella Anichini is a Registered Associate with The Blue Lake Group. She handles client related services such as client onboarding, meeting scheduling and account maintenance. Bella enjoys connecting with clients and aspires to exceed client expectations.

She currently holds a B.S. in Finance from Miami University, Farmer School of Business. Outside of work, Bella resides in Chicago, where she enjoys exploring the city with family and friends by trying new restaurants and experiences.
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 for Plan Sponsors

End-to-End Services, Made Simple:
We can provide the tools and guidance to help you manage a retirement plan.
  • Plan Evaluation
  • Investment Management
  • Plan Management Support
  • Plan Participant Education
State of the Workplace Study 2023
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State of the Workplace Study 2023

Explore Morgan Stanley at Work’s State of the Workplace III Financial Benefits Study results. Discover workforce challenges and how to stay competitive.

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 Blue Lake Group today.
1Alternative 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.

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 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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4Morgan 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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5Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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6Products 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.

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7Morgan 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.

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8Morgan 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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9Morgan 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.
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 and other legal matters.

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10Morgan 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*.

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 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)