The Hex-Point Group at Morgan Stanley

Andrew Kahng is a Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor for Morgan Stanley. A founding member of the Hex-Point Group, he holds CFP^® and CRPC^® designations.

Andrew began his career in financial services with Merrill Lynch in 1999, and started his own practice with the company in 2005. He joined Morgan Stanley in 2021.

Andrew became a Financial Advisor because he wanted to provide clients with alternatives to the standard advice offered by many in the industry. For example, instead of advocating standard diversification strategies, Andrew introduced clients to the asset allocation approach embraced by academic institutions such as Harvard, Yale and Princeton. Having the freedom to stay true to his wealth management vision and provide clients with progressive strategies is one of the things he enjoys most about being a Financial Advisor, along with the idea that his success is directly correlated with his tenacity and effort.

With more than two decades of experience in financial services, Andrew is well-equipped to position clients through different market cycles. He believes educating his clients is an essential part of his role. Andrew also feels that excellent communication—including the ability to understand the psychology of his clients—is at the core of everything he provides. This deep understanding of his clients takes time, patience and trust to develop.

Andrew stays disciplined and consistent when advising clients by maintaining a singular focus on goals attainment instead of being distracted by the gyrations of the market. The Hex-Point Group consults with clients throughout the nation, typically working with individuals transitioning to retirement and managing their assets to ensure their income and legacy needs are met. Additionally, the team frequently advises corporate executives with concentrated stock positions that need to be liquidated or diversified in a tax-efficient manner.

Andrew was born and raised in Long Island, New York. He migrated to the Midwest for college, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biopsychology from the University of Michigan in 1997. Two years later, he moved to the sun and warmth of South Florida where he met his wife, Natalia. The couple has been married for 17 years, and have a son named Elias.

Away from the office, Andrew has been a member of Business Network International (BNI)—one of the world’s leading business referral organizations—since 2007. He keeps active by participating in challenging gym workouts, as well as snowboarding (when he visits the western United States). He used to enjoy the extreme sport of kiteboarding, too, but stopped this activity when he discovered that it didn’t align well with his goal of self-preservation.


Asset allocation and diversification do not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss in a declining financial market.

Michael Brunner has over 25 years of experience as a financial advisor, all at the same firm. As a former Marine Corps officer and a Certified Financial Planner ™, he provides leadership and comprehensive planning to his clientele. Michael has worked with successful individuals and their families to develop comprehensive financial and investment planning strategies that seek to optimize the unique goals of each of his clients. One area of deep understanding that Michael provides is in regards to the unique day to day challenges faced by business owners of privately held companies. These challenges come from determining how to grow their companies and the most appropriate way to accumulate sufficient personal wealth for life after business. Michael helps address concerns such as financial and retirement planning, estate planning strategies, cash management and lending solutions, education funding, and asset preservation and risk management strategies. Another area of focus is related to the selling of an owner’s business. This typically is the most important financial transaction in the life of a business owner. Michael and a team of professionals, inside and outside of Morgan Stanley, work in a coordinated way to help maximize the probability of a successful sale for the owners and their families. Once an exit of the business takes place, Michael creates, implements, and monitors comprehensive wealth management strategies that seek to provide the financial resources for the owners and their loved ones throughout the next chapter of their lives.

A native of Austin, Texas, Michael completed his B.B.A. from Texas State University in 1982. Upon graduation, Michael was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, and served his tour at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in 29 Palms, CA. While there, he was promoted to First Lieutenant and appointed Fire Direction Officer for the 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, the largest artillery Battalion in the Marine Corps.

After completing his tour of duty, Michael returned to Texas and began his career in Houston with Morgan Stanley*. He received his designation as a Certified Financial Planner™, (CFP^®) from the College for Financial Planning in Denver, CO.

Ryan Thieme is a Vice President, Financial Advisor and a founding member of the Hex-Point Group at Morgan Stanley, he holds CFP^®, ChFC^®, and CEPA^® designations.

Born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Ryan graduated from Florida State University with bachelor degrees in Finance and Accounting. He began his career in financial services in 2016 with Merrill Lynch as an Associate Vice President. In 2021, he joined Morgan Stanley due to their emphasis on financial planning, its investment resources, technology platforms, cash management services and wealth management strategies.

As a Financial Advisor, Ryan feels that excellent communication and listening skills can be essential as they can help turn difficult or emotional decisions for clients into more logical, focused decisions. He’s available to talk with his clients, and seeks to provide them with an ongoing education about critical matters (such as the economy and markets) that can potentially impact their financial journey.

Ryan works with a range of clients from across the nation, including retirees from publicly traded companies, corporate executives, real estate developers, business owners interested in selling their business and divorcees needing assistance in managing their assets. He aims to build close relationships with his clients, and finds it rewarding to help them seek to achieve their goals. Transparency, loyalty and a pursuit of excellence are important to him.

Ryan has a particular focus in two areas: concentrated stock management and planning strategies for successful business owners. Ryan uses the tools and resources that Morgan Stanley offers as well as in depth education provided through his professional designations and real world experience to help these clients manage value and liquidity while considering tax and risk management.

When he’s away from the office, Ryan sits on the board of The Parks Foundation of Broward County and mentors individuals as a coach for the Dale Carnegie Leadership Training Program. Other favorite activities include basketball, scuba diving, and playing with his Doberman Pinscher, Ava.

NMLS#: 1520651

Jackson Menke is a Financial Advisor for Morgan Stanley and a member of the Hex-Point Group. He holds both the Financial Planning Specialist and Workplace Advisor – Equity Compensation designations.

Jackson was born and raised in St. Petersburg, FL. He attended Florida State University and received bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Management Information Systems. He began his career working as a Financial Analyst for an Insurance Consulting Firm. In 2018, he joined the Merrill Lynch Washington, DC branch and migrated to the Fort Lauderdale office at the end of 2020. Jackson joined Morgan Stanley in 2021 as a member of the Hex-Point Group.

Jackson lives in Oakland Park, FL with his wife, Madisen, and their dog, Oden.
While he's away from the office, Jackson is a member of Business Network International (BNI)—one of the world’s leading business referral organization. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, weight lifting, and is a guitar player and singer.

Gerard Machado is an Associate working alongside the Hex-Point Group, providing personable client service to its client base. As a liaison between the client and the advisor, his responsibilities are to deliver a well-rounded client experience and assist the advisors with their client’s needs.

Prior to joining the group in Fort Lauderdale, he was based out of Morgan Stanley’s Park Avenue office in New York City. Previously, Gerard worked as a Sales Assistant for the US Rates desk at Nomura Securities. Jerry was raised in Long Island, NY and graduated from Hofstra University in May of 2012 with a Bachelor’s in legal studies in Business. Gerard enjoys spending time with his family, playing soccer, traveling, and cooking.