The Edwards Group at Morgan Stanley

Brian Edwards, Managing Director of Wealth Management, Financial Advisor, has been with Morgan Stanley and its predecessor firms for his entire career, dating back to 1989. The success of his practice facilitated the formation of The Edwards Group at Morgan Stanley. Brian works with high net worth individuals, successful small business owners and navigates complex family wealth situations. He leads the team and guides overall investment strategy.

Brian besides his Managing Director of Wealth Management title, Senior Investment Management Consultant, Professional Alliance Group Director, Corporate Client Group Director, Corporate Retirement Director and a Family Wealth Advisor. He has been a member of Morgan Stanley's President's Council or Chairman's Council since 1996; he is currently a member of the Chairman’s Council for 2024. Brian has been recognized by Barron's Magazine as a Top 1,200 Financial Advisor in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, & 2023. He has also been recognized by The Financial Times as Top 400 Financial Advisors in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020. In 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 he was also named to the Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor list.

Brian is a member of the Investment Wealth Institute, St. Edward's Church, The New Albany Country Club, Granville Chamber of Commerce, Licking County Chamber of Commerce, The East Wing Association at Kenyon College, and a member of Business Networking International. Brian graduated from Benedictine High School and holds a BA degree from Kenyon College in Economics and the Certified Investment Management Analyst^® designation from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business. Brian has been happily married to his wife, Judy, since 1992. Together, they enjoy travel, charitable work in the community, and spending time with their two children, daughter, Madeline, and son, Grant.


Disclaimer:
2011-2012, 2014-2023 Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State (formerly referred to as Barron's Top 1,000 Financial Advisors: State-by-State)
Source: Barrons.com (Awarded 2011-2012, 2014-2023). Data compiled by Barron's based on 12-month period concluding in Sept of the year prior to the issuance of the award.

2014-2020 Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisors
Source: ft.com. Data compiled by the Financial Times based the following time periods:
Advisor to choose appropriate years/periods from list below:
Awarded 2020; data 6/30/16 - 6/30/19
Awarded 2019; data 6/30/15 - 6/30/18
Awarded 2018; data 6/30/15 - 6/30/17
Awarded 2017; data 9/30/14 - 9/30/16
Awarded 2016; data 9/30/13 - 9/30/15
Awarded 2015; data 9/30/13 - 9/30/14

2018-2023 Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2018-2023). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.

Nicole Edwards, Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor, joined her brother, Brian Edwards, at Morgan Stanley and its predecessor firms in January, 1999. Nicole’s focus on manager research, asset allocation, and portfolio design occurred as a natural outgrowth of her analytical personality. She works with clients transitioning into their retirement years and coordinates family wealth and legacy planning. Nicole also has experience in working with widows, divorcees and clients experience significant life events. She serves as of one the team’s liaisons for our non-profit clients.

She currently has the distinction of being a Senior Investment Management Consultant/Financial Advisor and a Financial Planning Specialist.

Prior to coming to Morgan Stanley, Nicole spent 14 years at United Parcel Service (UPS) in a variety of operational and managerial positions. She received her BA from University of Tampa in English and her MA degree from Vanderbilt University in American Literature. Nicole is an avid reader and a wine and bourbon connoisseur. She volunteers with local food pantries. Nicole and her long-time partner, Renee, reside in Westerville and enjoy traveling and spending time with friends.

Mark Poulin, Financial Advisor, leads the team’s corporate retirement planning. He brings to The Edwards Group extensive experience working with 401(k) plans, Profit Sharing plans, Defined Benefit plans, and Cash Balance plans. He also provides retirement planning for individuals and families looking to implement goal-based strategies.

Mark previously held senior leadership roles at Aegon, Merrill Lynch, and ING. He graduated from Franklin University with a BA degree in Finance and an MBA in Business Management. Mark expanded his retirement plan knowledge by attaining his CRPS/Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist designation, CRPC/Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation, QPFC/Qualified Plan Financial Consultant & his C(k)P/Certified 401k Plan Professional Designation.

Mark has been happily married to his wife, Lisa, since 1997. They stay active with their three children. Conner is Attending the University of New Hampshire Law School, Cali attends Northeastern University in Boston and Chloe attends The Arts & College Preparatory Academy.

Heather Powell, Financial Advisor, brings to The Edwards Group an extensive background in business development, banking, and consumer lending. Heather graduated from Ohio University with a B.S. in Communications.

Heather offers a rare perspective to non-profit organizations and small business owners as they strategize and implement goals-based wealth management plans. She enjoys working with next generation clients, mid-career professionals, and first responders offering a personal approach given her connectivity to these families as a firefighter’s wife.

Heather is passionate about serving her local community. She has served on the Board of Directors for The Food Pantry Network of Licking County and the Licking County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Heather is active in the Rotary Club of Newark and volunteers with Folds of Honor of Central Ohio. Each summer, Heather can be found cycling throughout Central Ohio in preparation for Pelotonia. Heather resides in Granville and enjoys cycling and fishing on the Great Lakes and spending time outdoors with her husband, Mark, their son Reed, and family dog Artie.

Erik Zwilling has been serving clients in the financial services industry for over 20 years.

As a veteran of the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army, Erik understands what it means to lead and complete a mission. Along with his team, Erik develops and integrates a financial planning process that helps his clients achieve the goals they wish to pursue with their finances and in their lives.
Erik is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a B.S. in education and earned his MBA from Otterbein University. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional, Qualified Plan Financial Consultant and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor with a focus on retirement planning for his clients.

Erik is committed to giving back. Since completing his assignment in the U.S. Army, he has volunteered in various positions for many local charities such as “Corner Captain” for Charity Newsies, the Knights of Columbus, RCIA Leader at St. Paul’s, the Academy for Autistic Children, as well as serving as a former board member of RELA and Bridgeway.

When Erik is not serving his clients, he can be found spending time with friends and family touring craft breweries, boating on Indian Lake, and traveling to see their favorite bands. Erik and his wife, Shellie, live in Hilliard, Ohio, with their three sons.

Ben Ferguson, Group Director, joined The Edwards Group team in 2019 after having spent five years in various management roles at Morgan Stanley Firm Operations. Ben attended the University of Cincinnati and received his B.A. in Marketing.

As Group Director, Ben’s focus is on overseeing the business management and daily operations of the team which includes client service, development and implementation of client strategies and overseeing team coordination.

Ben currently lives in Pataskala with his wife Bridget, their daughter, Ireland, and their dog, Sloan. He enjoys playing golf, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Nick Brosky, Business Development Director, joined The Edwards Group in 2022 after having spent five years at Morgan Stanley most recently as a Financial Advisor. Nick began his career in in financial services in 2007, after graduating from The Ohio State University with a BSBA degree in finance from the school’s Fisher College of Business. Nick currently holds his Series 7 & Series 66 securities Licenses in addition to Life and Health insurance Licenses. As Business Develop Director Nick is focused on working with the teams Financial Advisors to shape and enhance the team’s client centric experience through financial planning and digital engagement.

Originally from Aurora, Ohio, Nick now resides in Hilliard with his wife Jess their two sons Brooks and Jaxon, and their dog Biff. Outside of work Nick has a passion for cooking and trying new recipes, traveling with his family, and playing golf.

Trent Baker, CFP^® rejoined The Edwards Group at Morgan Stanley in 2023 after previously spending thirteen years with Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms. Trent began his career in banking and commercial lending after graduating from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Communications in 1983. In 2007, Trent sat for and received his Certified Financial Planner designation. Trent has extensive experience in both individual financial planning and the corporate qualified plan business.

Born and raised in central Ohio, Trent now spends time between Columbus and his home in Southwest Florida. Outside of the office, Trent is an avid runner and golfer.

Kristy Burcham started working with Brian Edwards in the securities industry with Morgan Stanley and its predecessor firms in 1992 while attending The Ohio State University as a Public Relations major. She transferred to Franklin University and completed her degree through night courses to graduate magna cum laude with a B.S. in Applied Communication in 1997. She obtained her FINRA Series 7 license in 1998.

Kristy enjoys reading, camping, trips to Walt Disney World, and spending time with her husband, Jim, and daughter, Marissa. Her family extends to her stepdaughter and son-in-law, Sierra & Nathan, and granddaughters, Iris and Zoah, rounded out by a myriad of beloved rescue pets.

Keith Conn, Business Development Associate, joined The Edwards Group in 2017 after five years in management roles for Morgan Stanley Firm Operations. His primary responsibility for the team includes supporting the team’s business and corporate service clients. He carries extensive experience working alongside business owners, HR directors, CPAs, and Law Firms on behalf of ownership and their employees, facilitating among other services, the implementation and ongoing management of business retirement plans. The group's technician on qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, Keith utilizes statistics, humor, and insights drawn from years of experience to coach owners and professionals to successful retirement readiness. His mission is to promote the vital role we play as champions of dignified retirement for upcoming generations.

Keith attended The Ohio State University and graduated with a B.A. in Management. He holds a Series 7, Series 63, Series 66, Qualified Plans Financial Consultant, and Chartered Retirement Planning Specialist licenses. A lifelong resident of London, Keith enjoys lake-life, boating with his wife Sarah, and fishing with his two sons Reece and Pierce.

Alex Nicholson, Financial Planning Analyst, joined The Edwards Group in 2021 after working as an intern for the team. Alex serves as the team’s financial planner, an integral role to the wealth management process. His other responsibilities include preparing initial investment proposals, portfolio performance reports, manager comparison reports and most date-driven analyses for the team’s clients. He also assists with investment strategy and research. Alex graduated from The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business with a B.S. degree in Finance.

Alex currently resides in Johnstown with his wife, Simone and their two children, Calvin and Gia. He enjoys watching sports, working out, cooking, and spending time with his family and friends.

Ahmed Barghouty, Client Service Associate, joined The Edwards Group in 2021 after three years in Private Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley. Ahmed brings a personalized approach and extensive experience in online services. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Corporate Financial Management at The University of Akron.

Raised in the Middle East, Ahmed is family-oriented and considers himself an epicure. He is well-traveled and enjoys experiencing cultures and traditions from around the world. Ahmed has a passion for the outdoors. He resides in Galloway with his beloved dog, Diego.

Karen Mayet-Velasco, Registered Client Service Associate, was introduced to Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley when she joined the Edwards Group in 2021. She brings a creative mindset and a drive for excellence in customer service and she strives to cultivate exceptional and meaningful client relationships. She completed her Bachelor’s degrees in International Development and Spanish at Miami University of Ohio. She holds a Series 7, Series 63 and Series 66 license, and a Life, Accident/Health License.

Karen resides in Columbus and in her free time, she enjoys playing guitar, attending trivia nights, pottery classes, and participating in a sand volleyball league with her coworkers.

Lynn joined The Edwards Group in 2023. She started her career in the financial services industry in 2002 while attending The Ohio State University for Business Management. Lynn has held various roles in her 20+ year career, gained broad experience, and allowing her to offer exceptional service and understanding for our clients and their financial futures. She holds a Series 7, Series 63, and Series 66 license.

Lynn resides in Newark, OH, with her husband, Jeremy, and their children Carter, Kierstin, Kamryn, and Cooper. She enjoys spending time with her family and menagerie of animals, as well as reading, gardening, and walking.

After nearly 13 years in the banking industry, Danielle Nichols, joined The Edwards Group as a Customer Service Associate in 2023. Danielle holds a B.S. in Finance from Franklin University, and her expertise lies in customer service and training and development.

Danielle previously worked at First Federal Savings and Loan Association where she was a highly successful loan originator. Her background in retail banking, residential and mortgage lending, underwriting, and business development brings a unique and different perspective to the team. Her clients find that she is truly invested in their future, exhibits exceptional attention to detail, and eagerly works alongside them to accomplish their goals.

Dani believes that being active in her community is important and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Licking County Chamber of Commerce, Explore Buckeye Lake, and The Buckeye Lake Historical Society. In her free time, you can find Dani traveling with her husband Michael, kayaking a local river, or challenging her family members to a competitive game of euchre or spades.

Jack Parsons graduated from The Ohio State University in 2024 with a bachelor's degree in finance. He is licensed with the Series 7 and Series 66. In his current role, Jack is dedicated to providing exceptional client service and supporting his team in achieving their clients' financial objectives.

Outside of his professional commitments, Jack maintains an active lifestyle through weightlifting, cycling on his Peloton, and running. He is also passionate about cooking and enjoys spending his leisure time reading, golfing, and socializing with friends and family. Jack resides with his girlfriend, Anna, and their Bernedoodle, Shadow.