The Chase Group

Andy Chase started his wealth management practice with Smith Barney on Sand Hill Road, when the area was just emerging as a leading technology and venture capital hub. Starting in 1981 through 2009, Andy and his team grew to become the largest Private Wealth practice at Citigroup Smith Barney, prior to merging with Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management. Andy was the firm’s youngest Managing Director and served as the President of SSB Ventures from 1999 to 2004, where he oversaw venture investing for Citigroup and Travelers. He also served on the firm’s private equity committees responsible for investing and allocating multi-billion dollar private equity portfolios across all asset classes. Today, he manages assets in excess of $20 billion dollars as of January 16, 2020 with his team of twelve experienced professionals who combine their talents to provide exceptional custom care, insightful investment advice, and customized wealth management solutions to an exceptional clientele of highly accomplished executives, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and others.

Andy has been recognized by Barron’s magazine’s annual ranking of America’s Top Financial Advisors for thirteen years running, from 2010 to 2022. He was also acknowledged by Forbes magazine from 2016 to 2022 as one of America’s Top Wealth Advisors. In both 2016 and 2017, Andy received the #1 ranking by Barron’s magazine as the nation’s top financial advisor.

Andy earned his B.A. in economics from Stanford University in 1981, where he was a member of three NCAA tennis championship teams. He remains active with his alma mater’s fundraising initiatives, and is a member of the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research. For over 20 years he has continued to make an impact on today’s youth through his involvement with the Ronald McDonald House and currently sits on the board of EPATT, a national organization promoting leadership, discipline and hard work through after-school tennis and tutoring programs in disadvantaged communities.

Dan McCormick is a Managing Director and Private Wealth Advisor within Morgan Stanley’s Private Wealth Management division. His areas of focus include portfolio construction, allocation, and strategy. In this capacity, Dan leverages the vast suite of Morgan Stanley’s investment capabilities to deliver tailored solutions to clients.

Dan brings over 20 years of industry experience in Capital Markets, Municipal Securities, and most recently as Manager for the San Francisco and Walnut Creek Private Wealth Management offices. Prior to joining Private Wealth, Dan led the Western Region’s fixed income product distribution and oversaw Municipal Bond products nationally. He has also held numerous other roles within the Region and globally, including Venture/Private Equity Distribution, Corporate Cash Management, Institutional Middle Market Sales, and Capital Markets.

Over his tenure at the Firm, Dan has played a key role in scaling and delivering Morgan Stanley’s offerings to both institutional and ultra-high-net-worth clients. Currently, Dan serves on the Private Wealth Management Advisory Council and the Alternative Advisory Council, both groups dedicated to providing strategic guidance and insights to broader firm leadership.

Dan graduated from the University of Oregon and lives in Lafayette, California, with his wife and two daughters.

Beth creates tailored, tax-sensitive wealth solutions for clients. As a former practicing tax and estate planning attorney, she enjoys advising clients on all aspects of wealth management, including strategies around investing, credit and lending, charitable giving, and life insurance planning. Her goal is to help each of her clients arrive at a tax-efficient wealth solution that promotes family unity as well as preserving family wealth. Her background has been invaluable helping entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and executives with specific expertise in pre-liquidity planning.

Beth received her B.A. in political science at University of California, Santa Barbara, her J.D. from Santa Barbara College of Law, and an LL.M. in taxation from Golden Gate University. She also holds the Certified Financial Planner designation. Beth is an active member of the California State Bar and former chair of the Estate and Gift Tax Committee of the California State Bar.

She resides in Burlingame, California, with her spouse and two children and enjoys running, cycling and tennis in her free time.

As an analytical-minded financial advisor at Morgan Stanley, Tres excels in creating tailored financial solutions for high-net-worth individuals, families, and institutions. With a focus on private wealth management, he approaches each client with the precision and dedication of a personal Chief Financial Officer, delivering comprehensive advice and guidance across all financial aspects.

Specializing in the complexities faced by affluent clients, Tres addresses investment allocation, insurance planning, risk management, banking and lending, and executive compensation planning. Operating in Silicon Valley, he adeptly manages concentrated equity positions, a common issue in the region. His core competency lies in utilizing long-term, disciplined diversification strategies and implementing 10b5-1 plans when necessary to achieve clients’ goals.

By customizing asset allocations and structuring balance sheets to enhance cash flow for future objectives, Tres ensures that each financial solution is uniquely tailored to the client’s needs. He strategically employs cash management and lending solutions when appropriate, always aligning the investment strategy with the client’s expressed intent and risk tolerance.

Through a comprehensive approach, Tres maintains an open dialogue with clients, revising strategies to account for market changes and evolving client needs. His expertise in managing the intricate financial landscapes of affluent clients establishes Tres as an invaluable resource for those seeking to navigate and achieve their complex financial goals.

Rob Vaughan is a Private Wealth Advisor based in Morgan Stanley’s Silicon Valley office in Menlo Park, California. Collaborating with four business partners and a dedicated team of eight associates, Rob provides bespoke investment advice and wealth management solutions tailored to a select clientele of accomplished entrepreneurs, executives, venture capitalists, and family offices.

Rob's expertise has earned him notable recognition, including being named a Top Next-Gen Advisor (2023) and a Best-In-State Wealth Advisor for California (2024) by Forbes Magazine. His team has also garnered national recognition as one of the top wealth management practices in the country for their ability to provide exceptional service and investment performance for their clients. Recent accolades include Forbes America's Top Wealth Management Teams (2024) and Barron's Top 100 Private Wealth Management Teams (2024).

In his role, Rob specializes in investment management, portfolio construction, and alternative investments. He offers targeted solutions for clients with concentrated stock positions, utilizing strategies such as 10b5-1 plans, hedging, and diversification techniques.

In addition to his work with founders, Rob is passionate about helping families leverage their wealth to foster positive change. As a holder of Morgan Stanley’s Family Wealth Director designation (FWD), Rob helps families develop comprehensive financial plans that integrate generational planning, wealth transfer, philanthropy management, and Impact Investing. Additionally, he holds the Workplace Advisor - Equity Compensation designation.

Before joining Morgan Stanley, Rob gained invaluable experience in Silicon Valley's dynamic environment, working with Apttus, an enterprise software company. Following its acquisition by Thoma Bravo, Rob recognized the profound impact strategic planning can have on the families of founders and executives of private companies. Rob began his career in the financial services industry on Sand Hill Road at Makena Capital Management in the Asset Allocation division.

A San Francisco Bay Area native, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Arizona and completed the CPWA^® Certificate Program at the Yale School of Management. He also holds Series 7 and 66 registrations with FINRA.

Within the community, Rob mentors aspiring entrepreneurs through BizWorld’s Young Entrepreneur Success Program (YES!) and serves on the advisory committee at ICA Cristo Rey Academy, a private high school in San Francisco's Mission District.

Michelle Chen is a Registered Client Service Associate with five years of experience in the financial services industry, including two years as a valued member of her current team. A graduate of UC Santa Cruz with a BA in Economics, Michelle plays a vital role in supporting and enhancing client relationships. Her responsibilities include assisting with banking services, account transactions, digital support, and more, ensuring seamless and effective communication with clients.

Previously, Michelle worked as a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch, further honing her expertise. Born and raised in South Korea, Michelle is fluent in Korean and English. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking and exploring new dessert spots. She resides with her husband, a retired veteran, and their two children. Michelle takes pride in working alongside a great team and building meaningful connections with clients through her role.

Eric Lee is an Analyst with over 12 years of experience in the financial services industry, bringing his analytical expertise and problem-solving skills to The Chase Group at Morgan Stanley. Since joining the team two years ago, Eric has played a critical role in supporting the group’s investment strategies, conducting in-depth product and market research, and addressing complex client inquiries. His ability to craft innovative solutions helps the team deliver exceptional results to high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients.

Eric’s expertise includes performance reporting, financial modeling, and data forecasting. Leveraging his advanced proficiency in Excel and platforms such as Bloomberg, Eikon, and FactSet, he creates sophisticated data outputs and tools to support the team’s decision-making process and enhance client portfolios.

Eric holds a Master of Science in Finance from Georgetown University and is a CFA Level III Candidate, reflecting his commitment to professional excellence and continuous growth.

Born and raised in China, Eric is fluent in Mandarin and has intermediate proficiency in Korean, enabling him to connect with clients across diverse backgrounds. He currently resides in San Francisco with his wife and two daughters, where he enjoys spending time with his family and generating creative investment ideas.

Isha joined the Chase Group in September 2024 as a Private Wealth Management Associate. In this capacity, she serves as a primary point of contact for day-to-day service and operational needs. Isha also supports the team with business strategy and development efforts.

Prior to this role, Isha spent two years in the Wealth Management Rotational Analyst Program where she gained exposure to a variety of areas within Morgan Stanley. This included rotations with Diversity & Inclusion, our Morgan Stanley at Work workplace business, and PWM Management in New York. Most recently, she spent time within our Human Capital Management business. Isha remains engaged across the Firm, serving as Head of Communications for Emerging Women Leaders, a firmwide employee network for women in their early- to mid- careers.

Isha graduated cum laude from the New York University Stern School of Business with a B.S. in Business and concentrations in Finance and Sustainable Business. She is Series 7, 63, 65, and 24 licensed. Having spent nearly 8 years in New York City, Isha now lives in San Francisco with her partner and two cats, Mochi and Suki.