William Couch
Senior Vice President, Wealth Management, Financial Advisor
Phone:
(315) 788-5800(315) 788-5800
The Couch Group at Morgan Stanley
Direct:
(315) 786-5112(315) 786-5112
Our Mission Statement
Experience, intellectual capital and dedicated personal service to help you meet your life goals
Our Story and Services
As your Financial Advisors, we can help you define and strive to meet your goals by delivering a vast array of resources to you in the way that is most appropriate for how you invest and what you want to achieve. Working together we can help you to preserve and grow your wealth. You’ll have access to some of the world’s most seasoned and respected investment professionals, a premier trading and execution platform and a full spectrum of investment choices.
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
THE MORGAN STANLEY ADVANTAGE
At Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, exclusive access to vast resources, combined with our unique capabilities, gives us the means to support your goals at every stage in your life.
Cash Management and Lending Solutions
At Morgan Stanley, we offer unique cash management and lending solutions to complement your investments and help simplify your finances.
Tax Management Services
Morgan Stanley Total Tax 365 offers a full spectrum of tax-efficient solutions to help mitigate the tax drag on your portfolio—so you can keep more of what you earn and improve after-tax returns.
Cybersecurity
Morgan Stanley proactively defends our systems and monitors our digital landscapes to anticipate issues before they arise and responds appropriately when they do. The Firm is actively supporting a multitude of layers of security.
Estate Planning
We work with you to explore factors that are relevant to existing or future estate structures. We will discuss different tax and estate planning strategies and collaborate with your external tax and legal advisors to create a plan that reflects your desires during and after your lifetime.
Family Office Capabilities
When it comes to providing institutional-level support for your family office, scale matters. Our offering aims to bring together specialized investment services and operational support to enhance your life and legacy.
Wealth Education
Financial literacy means being equipped with the knowledge to help make smart financial decisions during every stage of your life. No matter your current priorities, a strong financial literacy foundation can help you meet your goals.
OUR APPROACH TO SERVICE
1. Understanding Your Financial Landscape
We take the time to thoroughly understand your unique financial circumstances. This involves assessing your objectives, evaluating your risk considerations, and prioritizing your legacy goals.
2. Developing a Strategic Plan
Our comprehensive, goal-oriented plans are customized to meet your specific needs. They incorporate innovative thinking and address wealth preservation strategies.
3. Implementing Your Strategy
Leveraging the global resources of one of the world's leading wealth management firms, we are equipped to manage complex financial scenarios. We execute your investment strategy and implement your wealth management plan with precision.
4. Continuous Monitoring
Through ongoing monitoring, we help you remain on track, coordinate with other professionals, and proactively identify both risks and opportunities. This vigilance ensures that clients are well-positioned to avoid financial pitfalls.
PERSONALIZED SOLUTIONS
Our investment strategies utilize Morgan Stanley's many resources and are customized to help give each client what they want, and need, at every stage of their financial life through retirement, taking into consideration taxes, estate planning and philanthropic goals.
Separately Managed Accounts
A selection of professionally managed portfolios to align with your goals and risk tolerance, with access to institutional pricing and zero fee index SMAs.
Custom Portfolio Management
We utilize our experience to help build portfolios designed to maximize returns taking into consideration your investment time horizon, risk tolerance and long-term goals.
Morgan Stanley Portfolio Solutions
Portfolios that harness Morgan Stanley's industry-leading advice, resources and risk management—calibrated to your specific goals.
Investment Advisory
Manage your investments within a holistic advisory relationship and take advantage of integrated tax, risk management and estate planning benefits across your entire wealth strategy—backed by leading insights and one of the financial industry's most comprehensive, multi-award-winning advisory platform.
Capital Markets
An integrated organization across fixed income, equities, and structured investments leveraging the thought leadership of Morgan Stanley Research and dedicated product specialists to identify key investment opportunities to help enhance the growth potential of diversified portfolios.
Preferred Savings Program
Once you open a Morgan Stanley Brokerage Account, you can make the most of your idle cash with our competitive Preferred Savings Program.
RESEARCH AND DIGITAL TOOLS
As a Morgan Stanley client, you have access to a suite of digital tools and resources aimed at helping you manage your finances with greater ease.
Morgan Stanley Online
Morgan Stanley Online allows you to seamlessly and securely manage your investments and everyday finances in one place.
Advice and Solutions
Our clients benefit from access to the intellectual capital of our Global Investment Committee, a group of leading market thinkers uniquely dedicated to providing high-quality, industry-leading investment ideas to Wealth Management clients.
Digital Vault
Digital Vault lets you easily and securely manage and share important documents such as account statements, authorizations, tax filings and other relevant documents with your Financial Advisor.
eDelivery
Sign up for eDelivery today and start receiving email notifications as soon as your account documents are available on Morgan Stanley Online or the Morgan Stanley Mobile App. It's quick, convenient & secure.
Total Wealth View
By linking your account information, you will benefit from more informed wealth planning, more secure data access, as well as a complete view of your assets and liabilities whether they are held at Morgan Stanley or elsewhere.
Thoughts on the Market Podcast
Mike Wilson, Chief Investment Officer and Chief US Equity Strategist for Morgan Stanley and his colleagues discuss a variety of viewpoints regarding the latest trends in the financial marketplace.
Location
215 Washington Street
Watertown, NY 13601
US
Direct:
(315) 786-5112(315) 786-5112
Meet The Couch Group
Eric Delagarza
Senior Vice President, Wealth Management, Financial Advisor
Phone:
(315) 786-5130(315) 786-5130
Gregory Couch
Senior Vice President, Wealth Management, Financial Advisor
Phone:
(315) 786-5113(315) 786-5113
About Me
Mr. Couch is a partner with The Couch Group at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. He began his career in 1999 as a financial advisor with Smith Barney and transitioned the practice to UBS in 2013 before returning to Morgan Stanley in 2025.
Mr. Couch is a graduate of Williams College where he was an All-American swimmer. Bill is also a graduate of the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University where he earned his MBA.
Mr. Couch is an active volunteer in the community, and enjoys his free time boating in the 1000 Islands with his wife Kim, and spending time with his two sons Nicholas and Jonathan.
Mr. Couch is a graduate of Williams College where he was an All-American swimmer. Bill is also a graduate of the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University where he earned his MBA.
Mr. Couch is an active volunteer in the community, and enjoys his free time boating in the 1000 Islands with his wife Kim, and spending time with his two sons Nicholas and Jonathan.
Securities Agent: AZ, CA, UT, MA, SC, NY, MO, DC, TX, MN, ME, FL, WA, VA, CO, WI, NC, MS, ID, GA, PA, OH, MD, VT, RI, NH, NE, NJ, MT, OR; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
About Eric Delagarza
Mr. Delagarza is a partner with The Couch Group at Morgan Stanley, bringing a wealth of expertise and a commitment to client success. He began his Financial Services career in 2006 with The Couch Group at Smith Barney, subsequently transitioning their practice to UBS in 2013 before returning to Morgan Stanley in 2025.
Prior to his career in financial services, Mr. Delagarza served as a Management Consultant with Arthur Andersen, Perot Systems, and Kurt Salmon Associates. In this capacity, he collaborated with Fortune 50 clients and international companies on critical projects encompassing Merger Integration, Re-engineering and Corporate Turnarounds, demonstrating an understanding of complex business operations and strategic transformations.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Mr. Delagarza is a dedicated community leader, actively volunteering and lending his valuable experience and expertise to numerous non-profit Boards, supporting their missions in the community.
A proud alumnus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, Mr. Delagarza resides in Henderson, New York, with his wife, Andrea, and their children, Katherine and William. The Delagarza family cherishes time spent outdoors, exploring the scenic North Country and enjoying activities on the water.
Prior to his career in financial services, Mr. Delagarza served as a Management Consultant with Arthur Andersen, Perot Systems, and Kurt Salmon Associates. In this capacity, he collaborated with Fortune 50 clients and international companies on critical projects encompassing Merger Integration, Re-engineering and Corporate Turnarounds, demonstrating an understanding of complex business operations and strategic transformations.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Mr. Delagarza is a dedicated community leader, actively volunteering and lending his valuable experience and expertise to numerous non-profit Boards, supporting their missions in the community.
A proud alumnus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, Mr. Delagarza resides in Henderson, New York, with his wife, Andrea, and their children, Katherine and William. The Delagarza family cherishes time spent outdoors, exploring the scenic North Country and enjoying activities on the water.
Securities Agent: DC, PA, OH, MO, ME, NH, TX, SC, NY, WI, NE, GA, VT, MN, CO, ID, AZ, VA, MT, MA, FL, CA, WA, NJ, NC, CT, UT, MD, RI, OR, NV; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
About Me
Mr. Couch brings a distinguished career spanning four decades to his work as a Financial Advisor and founder of The Couch Group at Morgan Stanley.
After graduating from Hobart College with a degree in Economics, he launched his career in 1983 with Shearson American Express and held various roles, including 17 years as a Branch Office Manager, at firms that evolved into Morgan Stanley. He brought this wealth of experience to UBS in 2013 when he opened the firm's Watertown office then returned to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management in 2025.
Beyond his professional life, Mr. Couch remains connected to his alma mater by playing for the Hobart "Elder Statesmen" lacrosse team. He and his wife, Katherine Robinson Couch, reside in Northern New York, where they raised their children, Glynn, Grace, and Alex.
After graduating from Hobart College with a degree in Economics, he launched his career in 1983 with Shearson American Express and held various roles, including 17 years as a Branch Office Manager, at firms that evolved into Morgan Stanley. He brought this wealth of experience to UBS in 2013 when he opened the firm's Watertown office then returned to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management in 2025.
Beyond his professional life, Mr. Couch remains connected to his alma mater by playing for the Hobart "Elder Statesmen" lacrosse team. He and his wife, Katherine Robinson Couch, reside in Northern New York, where they raised their children, Glynn, Grace, and Alex.
Securities Agent: FL, MS, NY, ME, DC, NJ, MN, VA, TX, WA, VT, NH, CO, RI, NE, MA, WI, UT, NC, ID, AZ, PA, OH, MT, GA, CA, TN, SC, MD; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
Contact William Couch
Contact Eric Delagarza
Contact Gregory Couch
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
Retirement
Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
- 401(k) Rollovers
- IRA Plans
- Retirement income strategies
- Retirement plan participants
- Annuities
A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup
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Investing
Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
- Asset Management
- Wealth Planning
- Traditional Investments
- Alternative Investments
- Impact Investing
Rational Investing in an Age of Uncertainty
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Family
Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
- Estate Planning Strategies
- 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Special Needs Planning
- Trust Services
529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education
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Business Planning
Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
- Succession Planning
- Business Planning
- Qualified Retirement Plans
Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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Philanthropy
Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
- Endowments
- Foundations
- Donor Advised Funds
- Impact Investing
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Couch Group today.
1Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a business of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2Morgan 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.
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.
3Products 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.
4Morgan 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.
5Morgan 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.
6Morgan 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
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.
CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque 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 | Morgan Stanley
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2Morgan 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.
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.
3Products 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.
4Morgan 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.
5Morgan 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.
6Morgan 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
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.
CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque 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 | Morgan Stanley
CRC 4665150 (8/2025)
