The Buckeye Group at Morgan Stanley

An experienced financial services professional since 1984, Russ has dedicated himself to helping improve the quality of his clients' financial lives.  He believes that in order to design a financial roadmap that addresses specific client goals he has to develop an in-depth understanding of each and every client.  Russ also realizes that in this complex financial landscape it is beyond the scope of one individual to truly customize and implement a wide-ranging strategy.  In response, the Buckeye Group was formed in 2008.  Russ brings over 30 years' experience as a Financial Advisor to the team; the past 20 years with Morgan Stanley and its predecessors.  He is a Certified Financial Planner Professional.  He has earned the designation of Senior Investment Management Consultant.  His team responsibilities include portfolio design, manager selection and monitoring, creation and implementation of financial plans, and coordinating and overseeing the Buckeye group's wealth management efforts.

He is a Graduate of Syracuse University with a Finance degree from the School of Management. Russ has also been a Century Club Member here at Morgan Stanley for 2021 and 2022. This accolade recognizes Russ for consistent excellence in providing a wide range of investment products and wealth management services to clients like you. Russ was born and raised in Wisconsin. He moved with his family to Ohio in 1976 and has been a Buckeye ever since, with a brief 4-year hiatus when he was an Orangeman playing football for Syracuse University.  Russ is married to his high school sweetheart, Gwen.  They have two grown boys, Adam (wife Anna, grandsons Leif and Lars) and Hunter (wife Megan, grandson Michael).  The Spitzes are travel enthusiasts, pursuing their love for skiing, scuba, and outdoor adventures.

In a world where success is the primary factor that people focus on, Scott believes that we are not called to be successful; rather we are called to be faithful.  Once we are faithful to building relationships (whether it be in business, marriage, or religion), then true success shines through.  Scott strives to incorporate this philosophy into his business practice, as he has been building these successful relationships since 1999 as a Financial Advisor. He is a problem solver who works to help simplify clients' financial lives.  Scott assists families grow and preserve their wealth by guiding them to make smart decisions about their money so they can spend more time doing what they love.  As a founding member of the Buckeye Group, Scott has been with the team since its inception in 2008. 

Scott graduated Summa Cum Laude from Liberty University’s Rawlings School of Divinity with a BS in Religion and has completed two years of seminary at Pittsburgh Theological seminary in their Master of Divinity program. His team responsibilities include portfolio design, manager selection and discretionary portfolio management. A believer in continuing education, Scott has earned the designations of Investment Management Consultant and Portfolio Manager at Morgan Stanley.  He holds the firm designation of Financial Planning Specialist and was awarded Morgan Stanley Century Club in 2021 and 2022. In addition to demonstrating leadership through best practices of wealth management, this accolade recognizes Scott's consistent excellence in providing a wide range of investment products and wealth management services to clients like you.

Scott was born and raised in Warren, Ohio. He resides in Howland where he is active in his church. Scott is happily married to his best friend, Jessica. They have two sons, two daughters-in-law and most recently a new grandchild. He is an avid outdoorsman, enjoying boating, fishing, hiking, camping, and skiing. Scott is an Eagle Scout and a former Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America. Scott is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a former adjunct faculty with the National Security Agency (NSA).

Dedicated to helping make a difference in clients’ lives, Midge strives to be a trusted ally for her clients and their families. Midge has a natural ability to develop lasting relationships which span multiple generations. She brings more than 35 years of experience and knowledge to clients in the following areas: Wealth Advisory and Wealth Generation Transfer, Retirement, Financial and Estate Planning Strategies, Insurance and Annuity Analysis, and Women and Wealth Strategies. She takes time to ensure her clients understand the strategies behind each of her recommendations and aims to keep them informed and involved in their own financial roadmap. Midge’s strengths include her attentive listening skills and her strong attention to detail. Her goal is to deliver a sustained, first-class client experience.

With a commitment to community service, Midge has served as a board member of the Greater Girard Chamber of Commerce, and as an active advocate in local Girard School Levy Committees. She is a dedicated volunteer with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and has coordinated fundraisers and outreach events for the organization over the last 20 years. Midge enjoys traveling with her family, boating, gardening, and listening to music. She and her husband, Craig, reside in Girard, Ohio. They have two daughters, a new son-in-law, and two grand dogs.

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

As The Buckeye Group’s digital liaison and Financial Advisor, Kurt prides himself as an early adopter of all of Morgan Stanley’s latest digital offerings and is able to help clients navigate tools that can make their relationships secure and simple. In addition to excelling in our digital capabilities, he also assists in the day to day operations of The Buckeye Group and has recently transitioned into the role of Financial Advisor. He currently holds both the Series 7 and 66 licenses along with his Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®) designation.

Kurt proudly holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Management from Youngstown State University and is a lifelong Youngstown Resident. In his personal time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Lindsay, cooking and exercising. Additionally, Kurt is passionate about vintage cars, watches, and the stories that connect people to their collections. One watch Kurt proudly wears is his grandfather’s which was awarded to him for excellence in his lifelong career in manufacturing.

Megan has spent 15 years developing relationships based on respect communication, and growth. Over the years, she’s applied this approach to an investment philosophy driven by long-term planning and a solution-based mindset. To her, thoughtfully assisting clients means being proactive, resourceful, and adaptable. Her comprehensive outlook extends not only to your financial picture but in being a dedicated financial advisor throughout many areas of your life.

She prioritizes bringing curiosity and attentive listening to each conversation, with a deep interest in getting to know who you are personally. She thrives at assisting clients in navigating the complex financial markets. Her industry knowledge and sharp analytical skills are supported by a background in banking, insurance, and tax preparation. Previously working at First National Bank of Pennsylvania, Progressive Insurance, and a local public accounting firm, Megan is exceptionally detail oriented with a keen eye for financial statements.

Megan received a BSBA from Youngstown State University, earning the distinction of Summa Cum Laude honors. Behind from her wit, she firmly believes in putting others first and is dedicated to giving back. She has been involved in organizations supporting the development of reading, writing, and critical thinking skills of international and local youths.

She considers herself a chess enthusiast, which gives her the opportunity to mentor strategic thinking skills. She also enjoys the outdoors by spending time kayaking, fishing, and traveling.

Since 1996, Amanda has been the cornerstone of delivering the highest level of personalized service for clients. Although her career in the financial industry began at Merrill Lynch, she joined Morgan Stanley in 2006 as one of the original members, she became an integral part of building The Buckeye Group. Through her hard work, creativity, and her willingness to tackle any client request, she has often become the initial point of contact for clients. She is dedicated to making clients feel that she truly cares about them. Amanda spear-headed the implementation of the team’s current client contact system which has helped the team greatly enhance their World Class Service.
Born in Huntington, West Virginia, Amanda moved to Hermitage Pennsylvania at the age of 5. She has one daughter, Brittany, who is currently in Grad School at Slippery Rock University. She is engaged to her fiancé, Les, and the two of them enjoy time outside in their vegetable and flower gardens.

Carmen's goodwill and compassion for others is easily seen as one of the most distinct characteristics to
his uplifting nature. The Buckeye Group had the pleasure of first meeting and working with Carmen in
2004, during his internship with the team. After 21 years, and a wealth of industry knowledge gained, we
are honored to welcome him with open arms to the team.

His prior experiences at John Hancock, JP Morgan Chase, and PNC have set him apart as an
accomplished professional with a dedication to building client relationships accompanied with in-depth
knowledge of financial products and business assessment expertise. His 20 years of experience in
providing comprehensive financial arid banking strategies to clients from countless walks of life, have
supported his delivery of outstanding results and exceeding client expectations.

Carmen lives near Poland, Ohio and enjoys running, working out, and playing golf in his free time.
Carmen is an esteemed resource to Our clients and to Our team. We are looking forward to you meeting
and working with him!