The Fortis Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley

As the founder of The Fortis Group, Michael envisioned a financial advisory team that placed clients’ needs at the forefront of the practice. His approach is centered on obtaining and understanding his clients’ goals and objectives before anything else. He is a steadfast advocate on the importance of “process over product.” A talented portfolio manager, Michael has helped his clients navigate through markets with incredible resolve and efficiency. His 20 years of industry experience coupled with the strength of his team make Michael an incredible resource in the often-complicated financial lives of his clients.

Michael joined Morgan Stanley in 1999. He has particular expertise in providing solutions for business clients in need of corporate retirement plan solutions (such as 401(k)s, 403(b)s, Multiple Employer Plans, Frozen Defined Benefit Plans, and strategies for highly compensated employees). So that he can remain a knowledgeable resource for clients, Michael actively pursues specialized continuing education opportunities. His professional certifications include Certified Investment Management Analyst^® designation (CIMA^®), Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist designation (CRPS^®), and Certified 401(k) Professional designation (C(k)P^®). Michael has a bachelor’s degree in business from Kent State University.

Michael and his team support organizations that promote the arts, particularly those that provide access to music education to at-risk and disadvantaged youths. He and his wife, Leyla, have three young boys, Daxton, Weston and Dalton. An avid outdoorsman, Michael is involved with various environmental groups and actively supports causes for wildlife conservation. He enjoys fly fishing, sporting clays and archery, as well as hiking with his family. He is passionate about music, plays guitar and mandolin, and enjoys reading in his spare time.

Howard is experienced in helping the individual-investor and small business-owner with retirement planning and strategizing to help meet other important financial objectives. He focuses on building portfolios tailored to his clients’ specific requirements. His nearly 50 years in the financial industry has provided him with extensive knowledge on how to effectively position client portfolios through both high and low markets.

Through his years as a financial advisor, Howard has served as a branch coordinator for trading in many complicated financial instruments such as options, insurance, and annuities. He is a member of the team’s investment committee and has attained the firm’s Financial Planning Specialist designation. He has been registered with the various security agencies, insurance companies, and commodity agencies for almost 50 years and recently received his NMLS license. Howard has a B.S. in Business Administration from The Ohio State University and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma.

Howard and his wife of close to 50 years, Ellen Berliner Burnett, have two adult children and five grandchildren. Through the years, he has served as president, executive board member, and board member for many local not-for-profit organizations. Out of the office, he enjoys playing pickleball and cheering for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He is a season ticketholder of both Ohio State football and basketball. He and his wife travel frequently. Howard recently relocated his office to Houston, Texas, and will continue to maintain his affiliation with The Fortis Wealth Management Group.

John focuses his talents consulting to the investment needs of high net worth families and institutional investors. John follows a creative yet disciplined process to help solve the complex needs common to sophisticated investors. This includes the use of alternative investments and integrating other advanced planning techniques for the development of a prudent investment solutions and portfolio design.

As a three-time alumnus of the University of Kentucky, John expanded his learning by earning a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Civil Engineering in 1994 and 1998, and a Master of Business of Administration in 2006. After a 12-year career as a Civil Engineer, John recognized his passion for helping individuals and institutions make sound financial decisions. Every client's situation is different which allows for formulating customized solutions to help them reach their goals.

John joined Morgan Stanley in 2006 and in 2011 he earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM certification to increase his knowledge base in area of financial planning which includes - retirement, estate planning strategies, education and investments.

John is a former board member of the Malia’s CORD foundation and former Finance & Investment Committee member of the Cincinnati Chapter of the American Red Cross. He is also a former board member and investment committee member of the Northern Kentucky University Foundation. In his spare time, John enjoys to run, golf, the outdoors, and spend time with his family. John and his wife Kathleen have 3 children and reside in Edgewood, KY.

As a veteran of the financial services industry since 2002, Jon draws on his background to help clients plan for and achieve their financial goals. As a Certified Financial Planner™ professional, Jon emphasizes the difference between financial planning (which addresses the time leading up to retirement), and retirement income planning (which addresses the years of life where sources of income can be less certain). Jon has extensive years of experience implementing income and cash flow solutions along with legacy and long term care (LTC) needs.

Similar to his work with individuals, Jon brings a collaborative approach to business owners and the servicing of their corporate retirement plans. In working with plan sponsors of 401(k)s and other qualified plans, Jon stresses the importance of focusing on the financial health of a company’s employees. While there are many complicated moving parts of a retirement plan, educating participants is something Jon is passionate about to help ensure their chances of success in retirement.

Jon graduated with a degree in economics from Otterbein University, where he also played baseball. Upon graduating, Jon continued working at Fifth Third Bank and Fifth Third Securities, where he cultivated his skills in lending, cash flow and investment management. Jon is a member of the Westerville Sunrise Rotary where he serves on the club’s foundation investment committee. He is a member of the Blendon Masonic Lodge. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities, attending sporting events, and spending time with his family at their farm in Hocking Hills. He currently resides in Westerville, OH with his wife, Kim, two children and two French bulldogs.

Tony’s focus on the team is to manage his clients’ investment portfolios so that they may see their wealth and cash flow potentially grow over the long term. He focuses on asset management and developing portfolio strategies for clients, with a focus on individual security selection and sophisticated income-generation strategies.

Prior to coming to Morgan Stanley, Tony was a Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch for more than 40 years. He has a B.S.B.A. degree from The Ohio State University.

A Columbus native, Tony lives in Powell, Ohio, with his wife, Rebecca. His charitable involvement includes work with Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Make-A-Wish Foundation. Outside the office, he enjoys reading, traveling, fine dining, physical fitness activities, gardening, and bird watching.

With over 25 years of wealth management experience, Peter takes great pride in becoming a trusted advisor to the successful individuals and families with which he works. He has a profound understanding of the complexities that exist in the presence of significant wealth, which he manages through his keen intellect and ability to be creative and resourceful. Pete knows the importance of utilizing tax-efficient strategies within portfolios and is well-versed in Morgan Stanley’s many alternative investment offerings. He has extensive experience with estate planning strategies, which includes effectively utilizing various trust strategies and helping them navigate the often-complicated financial and emotional characteristics of intergenerational wealth transfers.

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2014, Pete worked at J.P. Morgan for 23 years, most recently as a leader of the Private Bank in the Columbus office. He has attained the Morgan Stanley designation of Family Wealth Advisor, which is awarded to advisors who show significant knowledge in the areas of family wealth management and Morgan Stanley’s premier lifestyle service offerings. Peter received his bachelor’s degree in Business from Miami University.

A lifelong native of Central Ohio, Peter is a resident of New Albany with his wife, Jill, and two daughters. He and his family actively support the community through their involvement with various charitable organizations. For five years, Pete was a coach with Handshake America, an organization focused on coaching student athletes for success in life. In 2020, he was named Coach of the Year. Currently, he serves as an ambassador for the group. An avid cyclist, Peter supports Pelotonia for cancer research and Ride 2 Recovery for our veterans. He and his daughter enjoy playing polo and often plan and host charity polo matches. He is a member of the U.S. Polo Association, Play Polo Club and The Cycling Club. Pete and his family enjoy attending the Central College Presbyterian Church.

Disclaimer:
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third‐party corporate trustee.

As a Senior Vice President at Morgan Stanley, Jonathan (who also goes by Jonny) helps his clients preserve their success and ensure their legacies through his three decades of experience in wealth management. Throughout his impressive tenure, he has enjoyed seeing many clients through the various stages of their distinguished lives; from their humble beginnings, to the growth-driven chapters of middle and late adulthood, to the transition into retirement and thereafter. Jonny is no stranger to real-life issues and he prides himself on his ability to find solutions for his clients through a profound and intentional understanding of the individual or family he is working with. His attention to detail and penchant for creating deep relationships is apparent in his ability to add value not only to his client’s financial lives, but also in working toward helping them achieve and secure the lifestyle they’ve worked so hard to obtain.

Jonathan has been helping clients reach their goals since 1989. He began his career at Lehman Brothers in San Francisco, later returning to his hometown of Columbus Ohio in 1995. Jonathan holds a number of distinctive credentials. Along with being a Portfolio Management Director, Jonathan holds a Certified Financial Planner™ designation, He is also a Morgan Stanley Family Wealth Director. Earned by just 2% of all Morgan Stanley Advisors, it is one of the firm’s most prestigious designations. Tenets of his practice include asset protection, wealth transfer strategies, and tools for philanthropic giving. Jonathan earned his B.A. in marketing from the Ohio State University, and an M.B.A. from Ohio Dominican University.

Jonathan and his wife of 24 years, Pam, have three children and live in Bexley, Ohio. Jonathan and his family are involved in numerous charitable organizations throughout the community. Outside of the office, Jonny is very active by playing basketball and golf. He is an avid reader and enjoys spending time with his family.

As Assistant Vice President and Group Director, Kristen oversees the team’s client service department. She assists in the development and implementation of complex wealth management strategies and also administers corporate retirement plans. Kristen helps manage client appreciation events and works to ensure her team is actively involved in various volunteer efforts and charitable causes. Applying her exceptional organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail, she quickly, efficiently, and accurately addresses clients’ needs.

Kristen has been a member of the team since it started and has worked at Morgan Stanley since 2001. She is a branch ambassador and is tasked with assisting others in the branch on firm initiatives. Her industry licenses include Series 7, 63, and 66, and she also holds her Ohio Life, Accident, and Health Insurance licenses.

Kristen and her husband live with their two sons in Hebron, Ohio. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time outdoors and volunteering at her children's schools and sports organizations.

Ashley Hill graduated from Ohio University with her degree in Communications and has been working in the finance industry since 2006. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2019, Ashley built a career consulting with advisors on long term care and generational wealth planning as well as executive benefits. She also served as a Wealth Advisor developing financial plans and planning processes for advisors in Central and Southern Ohio. After a long career as a consultant to advisors and helping them grow a business with comprehensive financial planning strategies she took a break to care for her grandmother. During that time away from her career, she knew that she wanted to return in a capacity that would directly impact the lives of clients and find a team to join that valued financial planning as a key part of their practice. Ashley joined the Fortis Wealth Management Group in 2022.

Currently, Ashley oversees the financial planning standard of care for clients and serves as a lead financial planner on the team to ensure we are providing clients with all the solutions available to them through our advisors here at FWMG as well as throughout Morgan Stanley. She is a dog mom to a feisty five-pound Mi Ki named Rocco, and proudly known as Aunt Ashley to seven nieces and nephews and counting!

Brian Moore is a graduate of Otterbein College, Class of 2000, achieving his Bachelors of Science in Economics. Destined for a career in finance, Brian joined the industry straight out of college, due to his love of the intellectual challenge within the investment industry, plus the opportunity to work with people. Prior to joining the Fortis Wealth Management team, some of Brian’s prior experience includes working for 6-years as a member of Graystone Consulting in Columbus, Ohio where he served as an Institutional Consulting Associate. In this capacity, he managed relationships and portfolios for endowments and foundations. Prior to his time spent with Graystone, Brian worked at Nuveen Investments as a Product Development Associate from 2007-2010. He spends his time working with the Financial Advisors on the team to formulate investment strategy for implementation with clients, conducting research on markets, and investment manager strategies for inclusion in portfolios to implement the Team’s collective view on investment markets. Brian resides in Sunbury with his wife, Brooke, their twin boys Madden and Mason, and dog, Gidget. Some of his passions include reading about history and current events, as well as learning from the great investors for their timeless wisdom.

Angela started her career at Morgan Stanley in 2015 as a Service Professional and advanced fast to the position of Section Manager in the Cash Management Department.
She joined the Fortis Wealth Management Group in in 2018 after deciding to advance her career at the branch level. Angela is now Portfolio Associate and Market Coach for the Ohio Valley Complex. When Angela isn’t helping clients, she also manages marketing for the Fortis Wealth Management Group.

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Angela worked for WesBanco Bank, both in West Virginia and Ohio. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from West Virginia University and holds her Series 66 and 7 licenses. Additionally, Angela enjoys organizing volunteer activities and client events to support organizations that is aligned with the team.

Outside of the office, Angela enjoys spending time with her husband, Bryan, playing the piano, sewing, and gardening. Angela and Bryan live in Etna, Ohio with their 3 pets, Ellie, Phyllis, and Velma.

As a Business Development Associate, Laura is dedicated to providing exceptional client service working alongside Financial Advisor, Tony M. Penzone, as part of The Fortis Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley.

With more than 10 years of experience in the financial services industry, she has acquired a breadth of knowledge where she offers support for diverse client needs, taking great satisfaction in resolving issues, answering questions, and helping advance each client’s unique goals.

Laura bases her work in customization and anticipatory service in operations, communications, administration, financial analysis, investment trades, and event planning. She enjoys building long-term relationships with her clients and their family members.

Laura currently holds her Series 7 and Series 66 securities licenses. She is an honors graduate of The Ohio State University with a BSBA degree in finance from the school’s Fisher College of Business.

Laura resides in Chagrin Falls, Ohio (a suburb of Cleveland) with her husband, Nick, and son, Luca. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, nutrition and wellness, yoga/Pilates, traveling, art, decorating, and music.

Tracy is a Registered Client Service Associate of The Fortis Group at Morgan Stanley. She joined the team in January 2022 and has been a helping hand in continuing to serve clients and growing relationships. Since joining, Tracy has earned her Series 7 and 66 licenses.

Tracy received her Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Finance from Florida State University. Her extensive background in retail sales and financial education helped her create a path in Retail Banking for PNC and BB&T, where she worked her way up to managing a cluster of branches within her 16-year banking career. Tracy’s desire to help others navigate their financial circumstances and achieve their financial goals in life led her to transition becoming a Client Service Associate.

Tracy has a service mentality and loves helping with community events and volunteer work. She is an active member of St. Henry Church in Elsmere, KY. She is a lector at Mass, a leader for their weekly Bingo program (the largest fundraiser for the parish/school) and co-chairs events during the year with their PTO. Over the years, she has also volunteered and taken part in activities for the NKY Chamber of Commerce, United Way and other local organizations in the Greater Cincinnati area.

Tracy is from the West Side of Cincinnati and now resides with her husband and two boys in the Burlington, KY area.

Tiffany Watt is a proud graduate of Ohio Dominican University, with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education. She worked in education for 15 years, before transitioning to the Fortis Team in 2021. Finance always intrigued Tiffany, and when she got the opportunity to join the Team, she immediately took it. Watt’s primary responsibilities involve administrative and operational tasks, as well as assisting with retirement plans. Her consistent work ethic is proof of her commitment to providing outstanding support to the team and exceptional service for our clients. A mother of three, Tiffany resides in Centerburg with her husband and children. She enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, swimming and reading.

Skylar is the Team Administrator for the Fortis Group, providing support for the team and their clients. Skylar joined Morgan Stanley in 2022 as a Service Associate for the Easton, Ohio branch providing administrative and operational support for management, Financial Advisors and clients before joining the Fortis Group in 2023.

Skylar is a graduate of Columbus State Community College with a degree in Graphic Design. In her free time, Skylar loves to travel, play sand volleyball, run, being outdoors and spending time with friends and family.