The Dimensional Group at Morgan Stanley

Growing up in Alaska, Gary Johnston knows firsthand the need for solid planning. Poor choices can have serious consequences in the harsh Alaskan winters, and Gary draws from that experience when considering how to position his clients for their financial future.

A long-term fascination with the financial markets and numbers led Gary to launch his career with U.S. Bank in 1993, quickly moving to its Investment Division before arriving at Morgan Stanley in 2009. Five years later, Gary founded The Dimensional Group at Morgan Stanley with David Anderson, Financial Advisor.  Together, Gary and David focus intently on supporting their client’s financial goals through comprehensive wealth management and retirement plan services. Together they bring more than 65 years of experience[1] in investments and banking to their clients as dedicated advisors.

Today, Gary focuses on capital markets analysis, implementation of investment opportunities, and asset allocation models for the team. Every relationship is approached individually, and Gary enjoys building a unique financial structure for each of the team’s clients.  Gary leverages his background and the resources of Morgan Stanley to support the client’s goals.

Gary graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Oregon in 1993, and completed his Masters of Business Administration from Portland State University five years later. During his undergraduate years, Gary had an opportunity to study abroad, earning his International Business Certificate from Nyenrode University in the Netherlands. His experience overseas widened his view on financial markets, imbedding a global and geopolitical view of investing, and impacting how he positions clients today. To him, opportunities do not end at our borders.
 
[1] Gary Johnston registered since 1995, David Anderson retired from U.S. Bank after 44 year career and registered since 2014.

David Anderson co-founded The Dimensional Group at Morgan Stanley with Gary Johnston after a 44-year career with U.S. Bank. With knowledge of commercial and consumer lending, and extensive experience in branch management, David leverages these talents to support the team’s clients in their long-term financial endeavors.

His extensive background in financial services allows him to approach wealth management by considering both liabilities and assets. A holistic approach, combined with the capabilities of Morgan Stanley, adds a deeper dimension to the services the Group can offer. This enhances how The Dimensional Group helps clients manage risk and their wealth to accomplish their goals. As a designated Family Wealth Advisor, he brings a focus on helping families plan for the future.

David launched his career right out of high school as a Work College Trainee with U.S. Bank in Oregon. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics from Western Oregon University, completing his degree after spending two years with the Marine Corps during the Vietnam conflict. He continued to sharpen his skills in the financial arena, returning to pursue a degree from the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington.

David’s commitment to his country and to his clients is also present in his service to his community. He is a member of the Shadow Hills Country Club, past Board president and member of its Finance committee.

When not enjoying time with family, he is often on the golf course. David lives with his wife Tiffany, son and their dog in Eugene.

[1] Gary Johnston registered since 1995, David Anderson retired from U.S. Bank after 44 year career, registered since 2014.

Adam Anderson hails from Western Kansas.  After graduating from Fort Hays State University in 1990, Adam moved to the Pacific Northwest to begin raising a family with his wife Kristin, a Portland native. Adam brings more than 30 years of financial advisory experience to the team.  As a Financial Advisor, Adam has a working knowledge of many different styles of providing investment advice to clients.

The main focus of Adam’s practice is helping clients achieve their retirement goals.  Adam works to help clients accumulate and preserve wealth during their working career, and then manage these assets for income during retirement.  A comprehensive approach to managing wealth includes working with clients to implement efficient wealth-transfer strategies, seeking to maximize the ultimate benefit to clients’ families.  Regular, periodic reviews are part of this process.  Adam believes that providing investment advice is essentially an on-going conversation with clients, with course corrections and updates occurring as necessary over time.

 Adam and Kristin, along with their three children, are big fans of life in the Northwest.  After many years of coaching and supporting their children’s sports teams, favorite activities now include walking their three dogs, golfing, and hiking and biking around the Oregon and Washington.

Spencer Stark was born in the central valley in California and grew up in a diverse population and community. In an effort to escape the hot weather he decided to attend the University of Oregon where he played football, appearing in the Rose Bowl, as well as the National Championship game during the 2014-2015 season. Spencer studied and completed his B.S. in applied mathematics, where he focused on advance statistics and numerical analysis.

Spencer enjoys all things active. He has competed in CrossFit and Olympic weightlifting. In his free time, he loves to travel and to explore different parks with his young son – hoping to one day visit all the national parks in the United States.

Alicia grew up in Eugene and graduated from the University of Oregon. Like a few of her teammates, she started her career in banking. She left the banking industry to start a small business with her husband, which created the opportunity to hone a host of valuable skills, from operations and financial management to customer service and marketing. As a business owner, Alicia gained valuable and unique insight into both sides of the employment spectrum, from employer to employee.

Most recently, Alicia worked for a local marketing agency where she began as the bookkeeper and transitioned into business development, specifically supporting the video production department as a client liaison. Unofficially, Alicia was known as the “cat wrangler” because of her impressive ability to juggle complicated projects with many moving parts.

As a Registered Client Service Associate for the Dimensional Group, Alicia enjoys getting to know clients and what is important to them, learning how she can support them in achieving their financial goals and helping with even the smallest details.

Outside of the office, Alicia is all about family and spending time with her husband and three kids. She enjoys social events and outdoor activities including hiking, skiing, camping, and boating.