Our Story and Services

At the Highland's Group at Morgan Stanley, we can help you define and strive to meet your goals by delivering a vast array of resources to you in the way that is most appropriate for how you invest and what you want to achieve. Working together we can help you to preserve and grow your wealth. You’ll have access to some of the world’s most seasoned and respected investment professionals, a premier trading and execution platform and a full spectrum of investment choices.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
With nearly 50 years of combined experience in financial services, our team is prepared to help our clients find solutions to all of their financial needs. This can range from comprehensive financial planning for individuals and families, all the way to institutional services for endowments and foundations.

Our team couples individual capabilities with a vast array of resources from other experts and resources within the firm. We will help you every step along the way to execute a customized plan to help you achieve your goals. We are honored that our clients have entrusted us through various market cycles, and value relationships above all else.

Our Wealth Management Consulting Process

As with any investment made in life—a family, a home, a college education—some of the best results are achieved by carefully constructing a plan and then following that plan consistently over time. A well-crafted investment plan provides a broad context for making important financial decisions and then prescribes a prudent investment philosophy and set of investment procedures for helping you achieving your long-term financial goals.

We use the following systematic consulting process to uncover your most important goals and to design and implement appropriate solutions.

Step 1: Discovery Meeting. At our initial meeting, we conduct a discovery interview. This helps us identify the challenges you face in achieving what is important to you. We examine your current situation, the goals you would like to achieve, and how we can help maximize the possibility of achieving those goals.

Step 2: Investment Plan Meeting. Several weeks following the Discovery Meeting, we present our diagnostic of your current situation and our recommendations for how we can help bridge the gaps in order for you to reach your goals. This plan forms the foundation for all our work together.

Step 3: Mutual Commitment Meeting. One week following the Investment Plan Meeting, we are ready to make a mutual decision about whether our firm can add substantial value and whether we should proceed. We also execute the documents necessary to put your investment plan into motion.

Step 4: 45-Day Follow-up Meeting. When you have multiple accounts, it's easy to become overwhelmed with the amount of paperwork you receive. At this meeting, we help you organize all the paperwork. We also answer any questions you may have so that you understand exactly what is happening with your money.

Step 5: Regular Review Meetings. These meetings, which we schedule at intervals convenient to you, provide us an opportunity to review any major changes in your personal or financial situation since our previous meeting. If these changes mean that we need to make adjustments to your investment plan, we do so. We also review your overall progress toward your long term financial goals. This meeting is also our opportunity to implement wealth management solutions that may be appropriate for your situation. We will present to you our wealth management plan at our first Regular Review Meeting so that we can prioritize those areas of greatest importance to you and then begin to address them systematically.
Taking a Consultative Approach
Managing your assets can become not only a full-time job, but also a complex and overwhelming one. As Financial Advisors focusing on portfolio management, our clients appreciate our consultative approach in helping them reach their objectives to grow and preserve wealth.

We help create customized investment strategies, seeking out high quality, undervalued companies. But more importantly, we help our clients make well-informed decisions and maintain the discipline they need to navigate through the most challenging markets, as an investment plan is only as good as your ability to stick with it.

To gain the skills and knowledge we need to serve as your primary financial advisors and effectively manage aspects of your financial affairs, we work with a network of professional advisors. These carefully selected specialists provide us with a high level of knowledge and skill in key aspects of your finances. As your wealth manager, we review your complete financial picture and identify any needs. We then turn to our network, as appropriate, in order to evaluate your specific financial challenges and devise strategies.

Articulating your critical factors and our recommendations for helping you achieve your financial goals in an investment plan has a number of important benefits:

1. It helps provide long-term discipline to your investment decision making. A well-conceived plan helps ensure that rational analysis is the basis for your investment decisions, making you less likely to act on emotional responses to short-term or one-time events.

2. It encourages our effective communication. Because an investment plan documents both the issues that are most important to you and the investment approach and strategy that will be used, it helps to minimize any misunderstandings that may arise.
The Highland's Group is proud to announce that Forbes has included our group on their list of the Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams for 2024 & 2025. We at The Highland's Group, are deeply honored by this recognition, as it is a reflection of the professionalism, service and dedication we bring to every client relationship.
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    2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
    Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jan 2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 3/31/23-3/31/24.
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    2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
    Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jan 2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 3/31/22-3/31/23.
    View the List
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    2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
    Mark Green

    Source: Forbes.com (Awarded April 2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC for the period 6/30/22 - 6/30/23.
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    2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
    Kellon Lawrence

    Source: Forbes.com (Awarded April 2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC for the period 6/30/22 - 6/30/23.
    View the List

Location

1018 Highland Colony Pkwy
Ste 105
Ridgeland, MS 39157
US
Direct:
(601) 790-3299(601) 790-3299

Meet The Highland's Group

About Mark R. Green

I strive to help people simplify their financial life regardless of what the markets do so they can worry less and enjoy life more. My process is designed to enable my clients to identify goals and values that are important to them. By getting to know my clients and their families thoroughly, I am able to design a collaborative wealth management plan that is customized to help them reach their goals. I work with a team of experienced professionals that help me tailor solutions to life's various needs. I believe that one of my earthly missions is to help people with the talents that I have been blessed with.
Securities Agent: SC, VA, NC, IL, FL, LA, KS, MD, IN, MS, MO, MN, KY, WA, MI, NV, NY, CA, GA, AL, AZ, TN, TX, MT, AR, DC, CO, IA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1270253

About Kellon Lawrence

Kellon Lawrence is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley and a CFA® charterholder. Prior to joining the firm, Kellon spent nearly five years as a Securities Analyst with Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, where he managed the firm’s mortgage backed securities and equity portfolio. A graduate of Mississippi State University, Kellon holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a focus on finance and economics. He also holds a Master’s of Business Administration from MSU.

Kellon and his wife, Rae Ann, live in Jackson with their four children—Vera, Eleanor, Millie, and Kellon —and are members of First Presbyterian Church. Kellon is also a member of the CFA Society of Mississippi. In his free time he likes to play plenty of tennis, hunt or spend time with his family and friends.
Securities Agent: WA, VA, TN, SC, NY, MS, MO, MN, MI, MD, LA, KY, KS, IL, ID, GA, FL, DE, DC, NC, CO, CA, AZ, TX, AL, AR; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1705091
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

Retirement

Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
  • 401(k) Rollovers
  • IRA Plans
  • Retirement income strategies
  • Retirement plan participants
  • Annuities
4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
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4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

Investing

Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
  • Asset Management
  • Wealth Planning
  • Traditional Investments
  • Alternative Investments
  • Impact Investing
2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
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2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

Family

Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
  • Estate Planning Strategies
  • 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Trust Services
Are You Prepared for Tax Day?
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Are You Prepared for Tax Day?

The countdown to Tax Day has begun. Here are some strategies to consider as the deadline approaches.

Business Planning

Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
  • Succession Planning
  • Business Planning
  • Qualified Retirement Plans
Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

Philanthropy

Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
  • Endowments
  • Foundations
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Impact Investing
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 

There’s more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here’s one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.

Financial Wellness

Enhancing Financial Wellness enables your workforce to do their best work. Companies that invest in financial wellness have an opportunity to:
  • Reduce employee stress,
  • Improve retention and engagement, and
  • Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce
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The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce

In the face of turbulent markets, the word “resilience” may be top of mind. Broadly speaking, resilience is the ability to “bounce back” when encountering life’s inevitable challenges.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Highland's Group today.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

1Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

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2Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

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3When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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4Morgan 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.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

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5Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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6Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.

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7Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.

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8Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

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9Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

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10Morgan Stanley’s investment advisory programs may require a minimum asset level and, depending on your specific investment objectives and financial position, may not be appropriate for you. Please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC program disclosure brochure (the “Morgan Stanley ADV”) for more information in the investment advisory programs available. The Morgan Stanley ADV is available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV.

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11When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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12Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

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13Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.

Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

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14Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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15Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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16Annuities are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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17Products and services are provided by third party service providers, not Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). Morgan Stanley may not receive a referral fee or have any input concerning such products or services. There may be additional service providers for comparative purposes. Please perform a thorough due diligence and make your own independent decision.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.

Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.

The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.

The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.

*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney.  The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.

Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)