About Us

Using a team based planning approach and leveraging our network of complimenting professionals, we offer clients access to some of the most powerful solutions in the areas of financial planning, estate & insurance planning strategies, retirement solutions, business succession and alternative access.

After our planning is completed, we provide our clients with a customized and highly diversified asset allocation model based on their specific cash flow need. The investment selections and buy-sell decisions are coordinated by our chosen group of unbiased third party professional portfolio and/or fund managers. We continuously monitor performance vs. relative benchmarks, and re balance asset classes at chosen intervals based on after tax performance results, all the while keeping our clients abreast of their overall results through regular performance reviews.

Our practice is a concierge style approach to the financial planning and investment services business. We tailor our service to the specific client and cater to their specific wants, not just their needs. We enjoy the art of delighting our clients, and make every effort to ensure that any and every interaction with our team is the most pleasant experience of the day. The Cypress Group strives to be our clients’ most important relationship, not just to them, but to their family and friends as well, because we know the relationship we create will last forever.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Location

58 South Service Rd
Ste 400
Melville, NY 11747
US
Direct:
(631) 755-8841(631) 755-8841
Toll-Free:
(800) 477-7522(800) 477-7522

Meet The Cypress Group

About Robert DiGregorio, Family Wealth Advisor

Since 1988, Rob has assisted clients with their financial needs and concerns from a number of different viewpoints. Rob started his career with Merrill Lynch on the management path. At 24, he became the youngest operations manager to service the firm’s largest branch office, The 5th Ave Financial Center. In 1997, Rob earned his Financial Advisor designation and in 2005, he then earned his Certificate of Financial Planning from LI University /CW Post. Rob is currently a First Vice President and is responsible for working with clients to help develop various types of financial plans. He also shares responsibility for the financial strategies and investment side of our practice.
Securities Agent: OR, LA, NH, CO, DC, MI, FL, DE, PA, MS, SC, OK, CT, NM, NJ, KS, TX, NV, MA, HI, IA, TN, SD, OH, NY, AL, MD, IL, GA, NC, CA, AZ, VA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1275788

About John Defrancisco

John entered the financial services industry in 2001 and has over 22 years in Wealth Management. John began his career in Merrill Lynch’s 5th Avenue Office in Manhattan, NY. During his time at Merrill Lynch, John was a member of a team that advised institutional investors and ultra- high-net-worth families. John was selected to the 5th Ave office's position of Team Leader responsible for the training of new and existing associates. John is a recipient of Merrill Lynch's STAR award.

John joined Morgan Stanley in 2011. John is a co-partner of The Cypress Group. John’s focus is on the crafting of customized client financial plans, client investment analysis and selection, investment risk mitigation, investment tax planning, client performance reviews, Alternative Investment solutions, tactical client investment recommendations, tax sheltering strategies, personal and business insurance strategy, and retirement planning solutions.

John is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER and successfully completed the Financial Planning course administered by NYU's School of Continuing and Professional Studies in Business. John graduated college in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management & Finance. John holds the Series 7, 66, Life Insurance & Annuity licenses. John has been married to his wife, Rose since 2011. Rose is a practicing attorney in New York, specializing in Estate and Elder Care Planning. in New York. They currently reside in New Jersey with their daughter, Alex.
Securities Agent: NH, IA, NV, NJ, MS, HI, OR, NY, NM, MA, OK, NC, IL, DE, DC, GA, FL, VA, OH, MI, CT, TX, MD, KS, TN, SD, SC, CA, AZ, AL, PA, CO, LA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2066617

About Kerri A. Kelly

Kerri began her career in the United States Air Force as a Military Police Officer stationed at Travis AFB, CA. While honorably serving our Country, Kerri was awarded three medals, completed a tour in Saudi Arabia and on several occasions, chosen to guard Air Force One.  

Kerri started with Morgan Stanley in January 2015 as a receptionist and within four months promoted to a client service associate.  She is now excited to join the Cypress Group dedicated to helping with all client needs.

Originally from southern California, Kerri resides in Smithtown, NY with her husband Sean and three children, Madison, Emma and Sean.

About LUPINACCI, ERICA

Erica M. Lupinacci, is a 14 year Morgan Stanley veteran. She will continue in her role of Portfolio & Client Service Associate. She is licensed series 7, 63, 66. Erica is also a Complex Coach, her responsibilities include distributing and educating all best practices that are presented from our Morgan Stanley Regional offices directly to our servicing team members. Erica’s expertise has been in relationship building and handling complex administrative projects.
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
4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
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4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

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
2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
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2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

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
Are You Prepared for Tax Day?
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Are You Prepared for Tax Day?

The countdown to Tax Day has begun. Here are some strategies to consider as the deadline approaches.

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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Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

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
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 

There’s more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here’s one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Cypress Group today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

1When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals 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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2Morgan 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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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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4When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals 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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5When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should always check with their tax or legal advisor before engaging in any transaction involving 529 Plans, Education Savings Accounts and other tax-advantaged investments.

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6Alternative 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.

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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 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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9Morgan 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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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)