The Boca Tropics Group

Michael is a Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor and Portfolio Manager with Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management. He spent the previous 23+ years working at Merrill Lynch serving Ultra High Net Worth clients. Michael is a graduate of Cornell University with a Degree in Economics and earned his MBA in International Business from Lynn University.

He was named to the Forbes “Best-in-State” Wealth Advisors list for the past 7 consecutive years in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 since the inauguration of the Forbes listing.

Michael and his partners lead a team at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management with a focus on Ultra High Net Worth Individuals, Business Owners, Family Offices, Foundations, and Institutional clients, both in the United States and abroad. He was one of the few International Accredited Advisors at Merrill Lynch.

He is currently a top ranked Tennis player on the ITF. Michael began his collegiate career at Brown University before transferring to Cornell University to play tennis. He was named the Ivy League Player of the Year at Cornell and was inducted into Cornell’s Hall of Fame. Michael was a first-team All-Ivy pick and was named Co-Captain of the Cornell tennis team his Senior year.
Michael resides in Boca Raton with his wife, Lauren.

2018-2024 Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2018-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.

Michael is a Managing Director and Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. He has served his clients diligently in the wealth planning and investment industry for the last 20+ years at both at Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney.


He has been named to the Forbes “Best-in-State” Wealth Advisors list for the past 7 consecutive years in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024, since the inauguration of the Forbes list.

Michael focuses on Ultra High Net Worth Business Owners, providing boutique and concierge multi-family office type services and capabilities to his clients who require specialized detail and attention with personalization.

He resides in Boca Raton with his wife Kelly and daughter Sidnie. Michael was raised in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, before moving to Florida. He is a Founding Board Member of the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Foundation, as well as a former Board Member of the Boys & Girls Club in both Palm Beach and Boca Raton.



2018-2024 Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2018-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.

Matthew is a Managing Director and Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. He spent the previous 24+ years with Merrill Lynch. Prior to joining the team, Matthew served as the Market Executive for the Boca Delray Market, spanning Boca Raton and Delray Beach for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Additionally, he served as the Market Integration Executive for Bank of America’s West Palm Beach Market, responsible for integrating and coordinating business between Bank of America, Bank of America Private Bank, and Merrill.

Matthew and his team provide wide-ranging wealth management strategies for high-net-worth individuals and businesses. His experience and collaborative network allow us to draw on a wealth of Firm expertise, offering customized insights, perspectives, skills and strategies that enable families and businesses to achieve their goals. Focusing on helping our clients achieve their desired outcomes – we strive to offer the right capabilities, remove complexity, and constantly adjust and adapt with the changing markets, economies, and financial landscape.

Prior to being named Market Executive of the Boca Delray Complex, Matthew served as Resident Director of the Miami Brickell office, Resident Director of the Coral Gables office (overseeing operations of Merrill Private Wealth Management) for the Miami Americas Market, and Market Sales Manager and Training Coordinator for the Boca Delray Market. Matthew began his Merrill Lynch career in 1999 as a Financial Advisor in the East Boca Raton, Florida office and has held various senior roles over the past 20 years.

Matthew served four years with the United States Marine Corps. He spent two years with the Marine Corps Security Forces Unit, London, UK. After his Security Forces tour, he was attached to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit S.O.C. (Special Operations Capable), where he participated in joint NATO operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina and North Africa in 1998. While aboard the U.S.S. Trenton, he and his men were designated for T.R.A.P. (Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel) missions during day and night flight operations.

Additionally, Matthew serves as a Board Member for the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Foundation. Matthew, his wife Kristen, and their two daughters, Alexis & Brooke, reside in Palm Beach County.

Joel Phillip Frost is a Vice President, Senior Advisor and Portfolio Manager with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. He spent the previous 17 years with Merrill Lynch. Joel provides his clients with the intimacy and personal touch of a small financial advisory boutique, along with the vast services and strategies they offer. The practice utilizes money management consultant services for families, trusts, businesses, retirement plans and nonprofit organizations. They have the philosophy of providing the most objective financial advice, in order to find a potential solution for each client's need, to optimize the balance between the key issues of liquidity, taxes, income, risk and return to provide results throughout the market cycles.

Mr. Frost has over four decades of experience which helps to create a powerful synergy of financial knowledge that can help investors achieve their greatest potential. He is a graduate of the University of Miami.

The partners and their resource team capabilities include providing advice on Core Portfolio Investing, Alternative Investments to help diversify risk, Tactical Rebalancing of asset classes, Managed Currency Issues, Commercial Banking, Treasury Services, Cash Flow Planning, Performance Measurement, as well as other Creative Lending Solutions, Tax-Deferred Annuities, Life Insurance and Wealth Transfer Strategies. They also have considerable training and experience in analyzing Executive Benefit Plans and Corporate Retirement Programs.

Mr. Frost has extensive involvement in a number of local and national philanthropic organizations. Throughout the years the partners have built their practice with referrals from their clients and other professionals who seek quality advice with outstanding service.


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

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


*Joel Frost NMLS ID 697811

Karen is a Vice President, Group Director with Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management and spent the previous 44 years with Merrill Lynch. She held various roles within Merrill Lynch, previously serving as Client Relationship Manager in the Boca Raton Market for 23 years before transitioning into the Private Wealth Business Manager role. Karen is dedicated to high standards in client service with a commitment to excellence. Karen holds Series 7, 9, 10 and 66 FINRA Registrations.

She enjoys outdoor activities, including cycling, backpacking and kayaking. Karen is from Cleveland Ohio and currently resides in Boca Raton.

Kyle Stevenson, CFP^®, is an Assistant Vice President, Wealth Management Associate with Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management. He spent the previous 5 years as a Private Wealth Planner at Merrill Lynch and a total of 7 years in the wealth management field. Kyle focuses on guiding individuals and families towards achieving their financial objectives through a comprehensive approach to future planning. Employing tailored financial strategies, Kyle develops wealth management plans that encompass cash flow, tax optimization strategies, insurance, and wealth planning, aligned with each client's distinct goals. He is dedicated to equipping individuals with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions and confidently navigate potential monetary challenges.

Kyle holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP^® certification from the CFP^® Board of Standards, Inc. after completing the educational component at Georgetown University. He is also a graduate of American University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Actively involved in the community, Kyle engages with nonprofit and civic organizations, including the Financial Planning Association of South Florida.

Originally from Reston, Virginia, Kyle currently resides in South Florida with his wife, Alejandra, their two children, along with their two terriers. In his leisure time, Kyle enjoys traveling, DIY projects, woodworking, and cycling.

Denise is a Registered Client Service Associate with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. She has worked in the financial services industry for over 38 years. Denise spent the previous 32 years with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.

Denise is married with 5 children and 4 grandchildren. She enjoys traveling and camping with family throughout Florida and the Southeastern States during vacation and holidays.

Laura is a Registered Client Service Associate with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. She began her career with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 1981. She has held various roles within the firm previously serving as a Financial Advisor, before transitioning into the Registered Senior Wealth Management Client Associate position. Laura is dedicated to delivering consistent, high-quality service that exceeds our clients' highest needs and expectations.

Iliana Grozdeva is a Registered Client Service Associate at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Originally from Bulgaria, she moved to the United States in 2000 and later earned her bachelor’s degree in Business & Marketing from a college in Delaware.
She began her career in banking in the Philadelphia area about 14 years ago. Iliana then relocated to South Florida in 2014 and began her financial services career at Merrill Lynch.
Beyond her professional achievements, Iliana is a devoted mother to two sons.

Noelle is a Client Service Associate with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. She is a recent graduate of Florida Atlantic University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration Hospitality Management. Noelle is responsible for administrative tasks and client support. She is originally from Melbourne Florida and currently resides in Delray Beach. Noelle enjoys playing sports such as tennis and volleyball.

Connie is a Client Service Associate with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. She previously was a Financial Advisor with EF Hutton. She is responsible for marketing and business development for the team.
She attended Missouri State University and resides in Boca Raton with her husband, Michael. Connie was active with local community homeowner and master association boards and currently serves on the board for The Pap Corps, a charity for cancer research. She also enjoys supporting various charitable organizations, playing pickleball and travelling.