The Easton Group at Morgan Stanley

Since 1967, Tom Hill has worked with clients to help them define and achieve their financial goals. When he founded the Easton Group (formerly the Hill Group), his vision was to offer clients a deep and highly credentialed team of multi-skilled professionals who share his dedication to quality, excellent service and integrity.

Tom has provided a steady hand and thoughtful advice through numerous market cycles and economic conditions. He feels privileged to have built many long-term, multi-generational relationships that affirm his commitment to making a difference for his clients. Tom is a graduate of the University of Richmond. Among his professional recognitions, Tom was named one of Barron’s Top Financial Advisors five times, and in 2017, he was the only advisor in the area selected by Forbes Magazine as one of America’s Top 250 Wealth Advisors. Recently, Tom was recognized in Forbes as one of the Top Financial Advisors in Maryland in 2020. He was also one of just 30 Financial Advisors nationwide featured in the inaugural edition of R.J. Shook’s “The Winners’ Circle.”

A leading citizen in our community for many years, Tom was honored by the Comptroller of Maryland with the William Donald Schaefer Helping People Award in 2012. He was also recognized with the Morgan Stanley Community Leadership Award in 2011. Among many community service initiatives, Tom led a $5 million capital campaign for the Talbot County YMCA. He is grateful for his affiliations with the Talbot County United Fund, Character Counts, Habitat for Humanity and many other causes. He and his wife Cathy live in Easton and enjoy spending time with their grown children Brad and Jennifer, and their families.

"Forbes America's Top Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Sept 2017) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 6/30/16 - 6/30/17.
"

Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State
​Source: Barron's.com (Awarded Mar 2022) Data compiled by Barron's based on time period from Sept 2020 - Sept 2021.

Brad is a partner in the Easton Group (formerly the Hill Group), creating customized wealth management strategies for clients with a particular emphasis on alternative investments and portfolio management. Brad provides sophisticated wealth management for our clients while helping to simplify their increasingly complex financial lives.

Brad has been working with clients to reach their goals since 1996, all with Morgan Stanley. Previously, he was a CPA for a major accounting firm, where he came to appreciate the importance of both sides of each client’s personal balance sheet. He joined his father Tom to form the Easton Group (formerly the Hill Group) in 1997.

Brad graduated cum laude with a B.S in Business Administration/Accounting from the University of Richmond, and later received his Certified Public Accounting accreditation. He is also a Family Wealth Director, an elite distinction earned by fewer than 2% of all Morgan Stanley advisors. His Portfolio Management Director designation is reserved exclusively for advisors who demonstrate excellence in investment management. In 2021 Forbes named him one of the Top Financial Advisors in Maryland.

Like his father, Brad is committed to community service. He is a past director of the Araminta Freedom Initiative, an organization named after Harriet Tubman (Araminta was her given slave name) dedicated to fighting human trafficking in the area. Brad is also a former director of Casa of Talbot and Dorchester Counties, which advocates for children under court protection. Brad is a former director and treasurer of the Talbot County Country Club. He has served as Treasurer of The Country School, and is a past president and treasurer of the Talbot County YMCA. He serves as a director on the board of an organization that is dedicated to supporting the house churches in China. He lives with his wife and three children in Easton.

"Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
​Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Feb 2021) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 6/30/19 - 6/30/20.
"

Stephanie helps clients navigate through life transitions with personalized strategies and practical solutions. She combines careful listening, extensive knowledge and experience and rigorous analysis to create goal-based financial plans with straightforward action steps.

Stephanie began her financial services career in 1997 and has been with the Easton Group (formerly the Hill Group) since its founding. She is a thought leader among women advisors, and a passionate advocate for women clients and advisors. Stephanie was honored to be selected for the Women’s Leadership Summit, which strives to empower women in their everyday lives. Recently, Stephanie has been recognized by Forbes as one of “America’s Top Women Advisors from 2020 through 2024.” In 2017, she was selected to Working Mother magazine’s inaugural list of “Top Wealth Advisor Moms.”

Stephanie graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Finance from the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business. She has also earned two prestigious designations – Senior Investment Management Specialist and Senior Portfolio Manager – which demonstrate her ability to integrate the vast resources of Morgan Stanley within her sophisticated wealth management strategies

As a survivor, Stephanie feels blessed to have served on the board of directors for the Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen as she finds joy in offering hope and courage to others. Stephanie enjoys raising her family here on the Eastern Shore of Maryland where she spends time kayaking, reading and being outdoors. She is actively involved in her faith community and believes that “we are blessed so that we can be a blessing to others.”

"Working Mother Magazine & SHOOK Research's Top Wealth Advisor Moms
Source: Workingmother.com (Awarded Oct 2021) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 3/31/20 - 3/31/21"
"​Forbes America's Top Women Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Mar 2021) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 9/30/23 - 9/30/24"

Jim works with our clients to make a meaningful impact on their lives and families. With outstanding credentials and experience, he focuses on goal-based financial planning to answer two fundamental questions – “will I make it?” and “do I have any financial blind spots?”

Jim began his career in the financial services industry in 2001 and partnered with the Easton Group (formerly the Hill Group) in 2006, engaging in frank, honest relationships with his clients. During this time, he has seen firsthand how removing the distraction of managing money frees clients to re-discover (and focus on) what is most important to them. As a husband and father of three young children, he understands the challenge of balancing work and life.

Jim earned a B.A. in Business Management from Washington College, which he supplemented with an impressive complement of credentials. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional, considered the gold standard in the industry. He completed the University of Chicago Booth School’s distinguished Certified Private Wealth Advisor Program, and is also a Certified Private Wealth Advisor. As one of Morgan Stanley’s inaugural Family Wealth Advisors, Jim is one of fewer than 3% of Morgan Stanley advisors specifically focused on multi-generational wealth management.

Jim and his wife live in Severna Park, and are the busy parents of 3 young children, a son and twin girls. Jim serves on the boards of the University of Maryland Foundation’s Planned Gifts Committee and Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore. He enjoys spending time with his family, exercise, fishing, golf, and the martial art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Ron has more than 20 years of experience in financial services. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, his professional focus is to work with individuals and businesses to identify their financial goals and customize investment and wealth management strategies to achieve them. Ron has professional experience in trust administration and management as well as retirement plans.

Ron is an active community member. He has served as president of the Easton Waterfowl Festival, a past board member of the Easton Rotary Club, the Mid Shore Early Learning Center, a past board member and president of the Talbot Country Club and a past board member and commodore of the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Club.

Ron earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in finance from Salisbury University and attended Saints Peter and Paul School. Ron enjoys golfing, fishing and spending time with his family. He and his wife, Meagan, live in Easton with their two daughters.

Ron has a passion for being active in the community he serves, and enjoys spending his time volunteering in a multitude of ways.

Kate has worked in Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley for over a decade. She previously was the Group Director for the Hill Group starting in 2012, which then transformed to the Easton Group in 2019. Kate is now a financial advisor with the Easton Group, who offers clients comprehensive financial planning that encompasses virtually every aspect of their financial lives. Delivering a wholistic approach to managing wealth, Kate starts with listening to a client’s needs and ensuring every strategy is grounded in understanding what each client wants to achieve.

Kate is also a key resource in managing Banking and Lending opportunities for the team overall. Kate earned a B.S. in Finance from Salisbury University, with a concentration in Financial Planning. She later earned her Financial Planning Specialist designation.

Born and raised in Easton, Kate lives there with her husband and 4 children. She is a fan of all sports, particularly the hometown Washington Redskins and Baltimore Orioles. Kate and her family enjoy spending time outdoors and with her large extended family.

Semene Gilden is a Vice President at Morgan Stanley. With a financial planning focus, she listens to and understands her client’s life priorities. Its not just about markets and returns, its about what matters most to the client and their family. Semene collaborates with her clients, tax and estate advisors to design a customized plan to meet their goals and aspirations.

Semene began her career in the financial services industry in 1995. She has expansive experience helping clients with every aspect of their financial picture.

Semene earned a B.A. in Economics from University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), which she supplemented with an impressive complement of credentials. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional, considered the gold standard in the industry. She completed the American College of Financial Services program and earned the Chartered Financial Consultant designation and the College for Financial Planning program to earn the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor.

Semene and her fiancé live in Centreville (MD) and are the parents of a blended family with 4 sons, one daughter, one grandson, and a golden doodle. Semene is the President of the Centreville Rotary Club and serves on the University of Maryland Medical System, Shore Regional Health’s Council of Advisors. She enjoys spending time with her family, exercising, yoga, cooking, and making a difference in her community.

Theresa is responsible for getting our new clients up and running. She handles all onboarding functions, such as IRA rollovers and new account set up, while also assisting with client meetings.

Theresa has worked in financial services since 2001, in a variety of roles, and joined the Hill Group in 2018. She started in the mutual fund department at Legg Mason and later served as a regulatory analyst. This diverse background underscores her knowledge and attention to detail with the Group.

Theresa was a Communications major at the University of Dayton. She lives in Centreville with her husband and two children, enjoying a busy family life of sports, activities and travel. Theresa also enjoys volunteering, scrapbooking and learning about wine.

Felicia began her career with The Easton Group in April of 2022. Felicia is responsible for ensuring highest level of service for clients. She supports the team with day-to-day operations, as well as managing client requests and inquiries.

Earlier in her career, she held positions in the mortgage and banking industry, having worked for PNC Bank and First Home Mortgage. She graduated from Salisbury University with a B.A. in Psychology and is currently obtaining her Masters in Business Administration from Columbia Southern University. She played basketball, volleyball, and soccer in high school, and went on to play volleyball at the collegiate level.

Felicia is passionate about helping others. She enjoys traveling, boating with her Husband, Greg, spending time with family and friends, going to the gym, exploring the outdoors, and experimenting in the kitchen with healthy and nutritious recipes.

Izabele recently joined the Easton Group as a Client Service Associate. She supports the team by managing and coordinating meetings and events, being the first on the phones to assist clients with various requests, and being a liaison between our clients, advisors, and support staff.

Izabele was born and raised in Easton, Maryland. She still lives in town with her Fiancé Mason, their son Baker, and their Boxer dog, Hank. In her free time, she enjoys going to go to the beach, the gym, and anywhere that sells an iced coffee.