Doug Deaton
Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor, Senior Portfolio Manager, Alternative Investments Director, Insurance Planning Director
Phone:
(512) 633-9281(512) 633-9281
The Deaton Group at Morgan Stanley
Our Mission Statement
We guide founders, families, and businesses through inflection points — delivering seamless execution and extraordinary outcomes powered by the full scope and capabilities of
Morgan Stanley.
Morgan Stanley.
The Strategic Conductors for Your Entire Journey, Powered by Morgan Stanley's Global Platform.
For founders, families, and business leaders, the moments that define a lifetime—a capital raise, a liquidity event, a generational transfer—are often the most fragmented. You face a complex landscape of specialists, and the burden of finding and coordinating the right expert for each challenge falls on you. We believe there is a better way.
The Deaton Group was deliberately designed to be different. We are not just another advisory team; we are experienced partners with the internal relationships to collapse the silos between the global investment bank, capital markets, private credit, and wealth management. Our value is in ensuring you have the right specialist in the room at exactly the right moment.
How Our Practice Works:
► The Operator (Doug Deaton): In a world of specialists, Doug serves as the expert generalist inside the firm. His over twenty-five years as an operator and trusted advisor to founders provide the insight and relationships to direct the right specialists at the right time from across Morgan Stanley.
► The Orchestrator (Rachel Deaton): While Doug uses his experience and knowledge to know what specialists are needed, Rachel's role as the Orchestrator is to make sure that the work gets done. She facilitates and coordinates the relationship between our clients and the firm's global specialists.
► The Foundation (Patty Brueckner): As a Senior Registered Client Service Associate, Patty Brueckner is the magic that keeps the music playing. Patty provides the client-first approach and meticulous attention to detail that ensures the day-to-day execution is seamless.
This structure allows us to act as your conductors, orchestrating the full capabilities of the firm for our clients across our lines of business:
- Investment Banking: We connect you with our elite network of Morgan Stanley and middle-market investment banking partners to help you prepare for and execute M&A, capital raises, and recapitalizations.
- Tailored Lending & Liquidity Solutions: Through Morgan Stanley Private Bank, we create customized credit and liquidity solutions for you and your business.
- Corporate & Executive Services: We deliver institutional-level benefits, executive compensation strategies, and equity management for your private company through dedicated Morgan Stanley Corporate Director teams.
- UHNW & Family Office Wealth Management (including Philanthropy): We provide comprehensive, institutional-grade wealth services to manage complex family needs, from alternative investments and estate planning to family governance and legacy planning.
- Insurance & Risk Management: We safeguard your business and family balance sheets with integrated insurance and asset protection solutions designed for your unique risk profile.
- CRE Lending: We provide flexible, full-recourse loans ($5M - $250M) for cash-flowing real estate and can originate CMBS through the private bank.
If you're ready to move from a fragmented world of advisors to a strategic partner that can assess your needs, deploy the right specialists, and orchestrate the full power of Morgan Stanley, we welcome a conversation.
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Wealth Management and Risk
No matter where you are in financial life or the level of complexity of your estate, the Deaton Group and Morgan Stanley have the experience, the resources, and platform to assist you and your family in creating and implementing wealth strategies in tax mitigation, estate planning, wealth transfer, and risk management.
Wealth & Financial Planning
Drawing on our own experience and the vast resources of our Firm, we help you create and maintain a comprehensive wealth management plan that addresses the specific goals you have for your family, your business, your community, and your greater legacy.
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Tax, Trust & Estate Planning
Working closely with your estate attorney, your CPA and experts from our Family Office Resources group, we review your trust and estate plans to identify opportunities for greater tax efficiency and better alignment with your multigenerational goals.
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Pre/Post Liquidity Planning
Having advised dozens of entrepreneurs and business owners through the process of monetizing their enterprises, we offer an experienced perspective on income tax and transfer tax planning opportunities, and on when specific measures need to be taken.
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Outsourced Chief Investment Office
An outsourced chief investment office, or OCIO, acts as an in-house chief investment officer, connecting you with personalized institutional investment experience and a dedicate support staff.
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Private Market Transactions
Private market investing enables eligible investors to access attractive companies before they are publicly available making you a part of their story.
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Tax Efficient Investing
We employ sophisticated strategies designed to reduce your current tax liability and increase your after-tax return in accordance with your tax mandate. The Tax Management Team assist in designing, creating, and analyzing a tax efficient advisory solution for tax sensitive clients.
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Management of Concentrated Positions
We can assist with sales of restricted, control, and concentrated positions, gifting of restricted or control stock, securities-based loans using eligible restricted and control stock as collateral, and 10b5-1 trading plans.
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Workplace Solutions
Partnering with Morgan Stanley’s Workplace Solutions team, we offer our corporate clients and their employees support throughout their journeys from private to public entities. Our holistic financial workplace benefit solutions include: Cap Table Management, Private Market Liquidity, Retirement Solutions, Financial Wellness & Education, Stock Plan Administration, Executive Financial Services, and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation.
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Philanthropy
We provide access to the consultative guidance needed to help you define your philanthropic objectives and maximize the impact of your giving. This includes donor advised funds, a tax-advantage way to support nonprofit organizations.
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Corporate Trustee
Our Trust Services platform provides access to third-party corporate trustees who can serve as trustee, co-trustee or successor trustee for their trust account. Working together with our Trust Specialists, we can also help you select an appropriate corporate trustee for specific trust documents and estate planning initiatives.
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Insured Solutions
We offer a robust suite of insurance and annuities solutions as well as strategic partnership to help mitigate and manage risks when the unexpected occurs.
Morgan Stanley Family Office Resources
We offer an expansive suite of highly specialized resources to address the complex, multifaceted challenges of managing significant wealth so clients may make complicated decisions confidently.
The term “Family Office Resources” is being used as a term of art and not to imply that Morgan Stanley and/or its employees are acting as a family office pursuant to Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
Learn MoreThe term “Family Office Resources” is being used as a term of art and not to imply that Morgan Stanley and/or its employees are acting as a family office pursuant to Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
Institutional Investment Management for Foundations, Families, and Individuals
We aim to deliver the best of two worlds: the personalized service of a consulting boutique, and the resources of a global financial powerhouse. We focus in addressing balance-sheet needs for institutions by building custom investment programs that adjust to the markets and to clients’ unique circumstances.
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Alternative Investments
Our platform provides access to an array of over 180 funds, both third-party and proprietary offerings. It offers first look and exclusive access to funds that may otherwise only be available to institutional investors.
Alternative investments are often speculative and include a high degree of risk. Investors can lose all or a substantial amount of their investment. They may be highly illiquid, can engage in leverage, short-selling and other speculative practices that may increase volatility and the risk of loss, and may be subject to large investment minimums and initial lock-ups. They may involve complex tax structures, tax inefficient investing and delays in distributing important tax information. They may have higher fees and expenses that traditional investments, and such fees and expenses can lower the returns achieved by investors.
Learn MoreAlternative investments are often speculative and include a high degree of risk. Investors can lose all or a substantial amount of their investment. They may be highly illiquid, can engage in leverage, short-selling and other speculative practices that may increase volatility and the risk of loss, and may be subject to large investment minimums and initial lock-ups. They may involve complex tax structures, tax inefficient investing and delays in distributing important tax information. They may have higher fees and expenses that traditional investments, and such fees and expenses can lower the returns achieved by investors.
Family Office
As a founder’s wealth increases so do the complexities of managing multigenerational wealth. With access to Morgan Stanley teams like Family Office Resources (“FOR”), Single Family Office (“MSFO”), Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (“OCIO”), our industry leading wealth management platform can help you customize create ad hoc or comprehensive solutions for bringing order to significant wealth.
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Life Insurance
You want what’s best for your family, both now and after you’re gone. Having the right life insurance plan can help you protect your family’s finances in the event of your death and help reduce financial stress for loved ones during what can be a highly emotional time.
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Property and Casualty Insurance
While many affluent families have sound plans to grow and preserve their wealth for future generations, they may be ill-prepared for the possibility of a lawsuit, property damage or loss of valuable possessions - risks that can deal a bigger financial setback in the long run than a bear-market decline in their portfolio. The inclusion of property and casualty insurance may help mitigate loss when the unexpected occurs.
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Captive Insurance
Captive insurance is a tool that can provide customized, cost-effective coverage of low probability/high severity risks in addition to potentially considerable financial and tax advantages.
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Long-Term Care
Purchasing long-term care insurance can help protect your retirement portfolio. By paying an annual premium, you can help transfer the financial risk of long term care to an insurance company. Equally as important, long-term care insurance can provide you with the freedom to choose the type of care you want.
Learn MoreLocation
301 Congress Avenue
Suite 1400
Austin, TX 78701
US
Meet The Deaton Group
Rachel Deaton
Financial Advisor, Insurance Planning Director
Phone:
(737) 742-1842(737) 742-1842
Patty Brueckner
Senior Registered Client Service Associate
Phone:
(512) 370-0481(512) 370-0481
About Doug Deaton
My career has been defined by sitting on both sides of the table. As an operator, I know the immense pressure and opportunity of building a business from the ground up. As an executive for a multi-billion dollar family office, I know the complex challenges that come after a successful exit.
This dual perspective is the foundation of The Deaton Group. We designed our practice to be the strategic partner I wish I'd had—one with the peer-level experience to direct both the operational and legacy complexities of a founder's life.
My role is to serve as that strategic conductor, bringing firsthand insight to your most critical inflection points. My wife and partner, Rachel, is the brilliant architect who designs the blueprint for your family's future. Together, we orchestrate every resource and Morgan Stanley specialist necessary to see that vision realized.
Based in downtown Austin, we enjoy everything the city and surrounding Texas Hill Country have to offer. When we're not working with our clients, our favorite time is spent with our four grown children often in the mountains of Montana and Colorado.
This dual perspective is the foundation of The Deaton Group. We designed our practice to be the strategic partner I wish I'd had—one with the peer-level experience to direct both the operational and legacy complexities of a founder's life.
My role is to serve as that strategic conductor, bringing firsthand insight to your most critical inflection points. My wife and partner, Rachel, is the brilliant architect who designs the blueprint for your family's future. Together, we orchestrate every resource and Morgan Stanley specialist necessary to see that vision realized.
Based in downtown Austin, we enjoy everything the city and surrounding Texas Hill Country have to offer. When we're not working with our clients, our favorite time is spent with our four grown children often in the mountains of Montana and Colorado.
Securities Agent: IN, DE, MT, FL, NC, WA, KS, LA, CA, GA, CO, AR, OK, IL, TX, NY, VA, NJ; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1857665
NMLS#: 1857665
About Rachel Deaton
I am charged with being the architect and conductor who brings clarity to our clients' complex lives. At The Deaton Group, I work alongside my husband, Doug, to design the strategic blueprint that unlocks the full capabilities of Morgan Stanley for the founders and families we serve.
My path here was anything but linear. A diverse background in project management, business development, and launching ventures gave me a unique ability to see how all the pieces of a founder's life must fit together. It's this perspective that allows me to orchestrate complex plans.
As the architect of our client engagements, I design the strategic map for your future and then conduct the orchestra of Morgan Stanley specialists needed to execute it. While Doug draws on his past as an operator to provide peer-level counsel, I focus on bringing the vast resources of our firm to bear on your specific goals.
On a personal note, Doug and I met in college at Texas Tech and have been married 31 years. We have four grown-ish children and two French bulldogs who keep life lively. I love living in downtown Austin, working with my husband, and gathering with family in Colorado and Montana. When I’m not with clients or family, you’ll likely find me exploring a local farmer’s market, taking in some Red Raider sports, or enjoying a documentary.
My path here was anything but linear. A diverse background in project management, business development, and launching ventures gave me a unique ability to see how all the pieces of a founder's life must fit together. It's this perspective that allows me to orchestrate complex plans.
As the architect of our client engagements, I design the strategic map for your future and then conduct the orchestra of Morgan Stanley specialists needed to execute it. While Doug draws on his past as an operator to provide peer-level counsel, I focus on bringing the vast resources of our firm to bear on your specific goals.
On a personal note, Doug and I met in college at Texas Tech and have been married 31 years. We have four grown-ish children and two French bulldogs who keep life lively. I love living in downtown Austin, working with my husband, and gathering with family in Colorado and Montana. When I’m not with clients or family, you’ll likely find me exploring a local farmer’s market, taking in some Red Raider sports, or enjoying a documentary.
Securities Agent: KS, NC, MT, GA, VA, TX, DE, CO, AR, NJ, IL, LA, FL, WA, OK, NY, IN; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2172891
NMLS#: 2172891
About Patty Brueckner
Patty Brueckner entered the financial services industry by chance in 2014 but quickly transformed it into a lifelong calling. She finds fulfillment in helping clients achieve financial success and making a meaningful impact on their daily lives. Patty holds a BBA in Cybersecurity from the University of Texas at San Antonio, along with an AA in Business Administration and an AS in Economics from Austin Community College. She is licensed with the Series 7 and 66 and is fluent in English, Spanish, and German, with working knowledge of Italian, French, and Portuguese.
Her career began in retail banking, where she advanced from teller to banker in just four years, before transitioning to a financial services firm to focus on Retirement Services and Equity Compensation. In 2022, she joined Morgan Stanley as a Senior Registered Client Service Associate, bringing her breadth of experience, attention to detail, and client-first approach to The Deaton Group.
At Morgan Stanley, Patty and her team specialize in connecting clients with the firm’s full suite of capabilities—including capital markets, investment banking, lending, and wealth management. Their practice emphasizes seamless execution and extraordinary outcomes, ensuring clients receive access to the right specialists and resources at the moments that matter most: capital raises, recapitalizations, liquidity events, succession planning, and long-term wealth strategies.
Originally from Cuba, Patty has lived in the Austin, TX area since 2014 after several years in Germany, where she embraced every opportunity to travel and broaden her global perspective. Outside of work, she enjoys waterskiing, synchronized swimming, golf, tennis, and traveling, while also helping her family integrate into the local Austin community. She shares her home with her husband Elvis and Angel, her beloved Persian Chinchilla cat, affectionately known as the Bond kitty.
Her career began in retail banking, where she advanced from teller to banker in just four years, before transitioning to a financial services firm to focus on Retirement Services and Equity Compensation. In 2022, she joined Morgan Stanley as a Senior Registered Client Service Associate, bringing her breadth of experience, attention to detail, and client-first approach to The Deaton Group.
At Morgan Stanley, Patty and her team specialize in connecting clients with the firm’s full suite of capabilities—including capital markets, investment banking, lending, and wealth management. Their practice emphasizes seamless execution and extraordinary outcomes, ensuring clients receive access to the right specialists and resources at the moments that matter most: capital raises, recapitalizations, liquidity events, succession planning, and long-term wealth strategies.
Originally from Cuba, Patty has lived in the Austin, TX area since 2014 after several years in Germany, where she embraced every opportunity to travel and broaden her global perspective. Outside of work, she enjoys waterskiing, synchronized swimming, golf, tennis, and traveling, while also helping her family integrate into the local Austin community. She shares her home with her husband Elvis and Angel, her beloved Persian Chinchilla cat, affectionately known as the Bond kitty.
Contact Doug Deaton
Contact Rachel Deaton
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 Deaton Group today.
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
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)
