Our Story and Services

As your Financial Advisors, 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.*

WORKPLACE FINANCIAL BENEFITS WITH MORGAN STANLEY AT WORK

Our mission is to help your company elevate your workplace financial benefits—helping you to attract and retain top talent. Our end-to-end solutions support your company and employees at any stage of growth through a powerful combination of modern technology, insightful guidance, and dedicated service.

    Equity Solutions

    Equity ownership is a powerful motivator. Streamline equity management through our leading-edge technology and provide global audit-ready reporting and insights, alongside customizable participant experiences to engage and educate your employees on how to make the most of their benefits. Our global solutions support private and public companies at any stage of growth.

    • Equity Administration and Financial Reporting
    • Liquidity Events
    • 409A Valuation Services and Cap Table Management

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    Retirement

    For your employees, retirement is more than a date in the future—it's a milestone that takes time, hard work, and the right tools. Through our consultative process, we strive to assist with the management of your fiduciary responsibilities and risk, simplify plan management, and help you improve retirement readiness for your employees.

    • Defined Contribution Consulting
    • Solutions-Oriented Plans
    • Fiduciary Investment Oversight

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    Deferred Compensation

    Access a range of Nonqualified Deferred Compensation plan services or pick the ones that best fit your needs. We provide recordkeeping and plan design, portfolio construction services, and plan education for your executive talent. We help you determine the appropriate plan design and inform a funding strategy through a needs-based assessment and consultative approach.

    Services include:

    • Recordkeeping and Plan Design
    • Portfolio Construction
    • Wealth Management Services
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    Executive Services

    Our dedicated team provides concierge-level support for your executives' equity compensation plans, from 10b5-1 trading plans to form filing related to Rule 144 transactions, to access to wealth management and tax-optimization strategies, so helping them navigate their complex financial needs with greater confidence and certainty:

    • Equity Compensation Services
    • Equity Award Analysis
    • Specialized Solutions
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    Saving and Giving

    Saving and Giving benefits can make a real difference in your employees' lives as they can support the things that matter most to them—like saving for education and repaying student loans. Show that you are committed to your employees' priorities with leading-edge solutions that help them chart a path toward financial well-being.

    • College Savings
    • Student Loan Repayment and Refinancing
    • Charitable Giving
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    Financial Wellness

    We offer Financial Wellness with every solution we provide. Through a powerful combination of education, digital tools and guidance, Financial Wellness is designed to address the unique needs of your employees and empower their financial journey at every stage. Give your employees the confidence to take charge of their finances.

    • Financial Education
    • Digital Tools
    • Financial Guidance

    Learn more

Location

800 Newport Center Dr.
Ste 500
Newport Beach, CA 92660
US
Direct:
(949) 717-5480(949) 717-5480
1901 Main Street
Suite 700
Irvine, CA 92614
US
Direct:
(949) 955-7895(949) 955-7895

Meet The Johnson Group

About Damon Johnson

With nearly 30 years of experience, Damon has dedicated his career to serving the specialized needs successful professionals, owners of closely held businesses, athletes and families around the country. He focuses on understanding each client's specific goals to develop customized plans for building, preserving, and transitioning their wealth.

Growing up in a finance-oriented family, Damon learned the power of investing early. He holds a finance degree from the University of Southern California, where he also played baseball. His career began in fixed-income trading before transitioning into private wealth management 1998 at Smith Barney, a predecessor firm of Morgan Stanley.

Damon values working with like-minded clients who appreciate his experience and service. His comprehensive approach involves active listening to create tailored financial plans and investment portfolios aligned with their future goals.

Deeply committed to his community and family, Damon has been involved in numerous organizations, including the Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce, Future Business Leaders of America, Rotary International and the Newport Beach Baseball Association. Damon spends much of his free time on ball fields or courts, watching or coaching his three sons in their various sporting activities. Damon resides in Newport Beach with his wife, Ivy, a physician assistant, and three boys, Preston, Brooks, and Max.
Securities Agent: KS, CO, NJ, MI, MA, GA, AZ, WA, UT, OR, MN, CT, AR, OH, NE, NC, IL, NY, MO, MD, CA, VA, ID, HI, DC, MS, TN, PA, NM, FL, OK, NV, DE, AL, SC, IN, WV, TX; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 558306
CA Insurance License #: 0C43640

About Michael Algarin

Michael is a dedicated financial advisor at The Johnson Group, working with affluent individuals, families and businesses to help achieve their financial success. He initiates this process by thoroughly understanding each client's unique financial situation to collaboratively develop a personalized strategy aligned with their vision for the future.

Committed to empowering clients through knowledge, Michael guides the development and management of their investments. His primary goal is to ensure clients feel confident navigating significant life events, providing insightful weekly email market updates and prioritizing clear communication through regular meetings.

Michael's core objective is to simplify financial complexities and align clients' resources with their long-term priorities. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Long Beach, and brings over 17 years of dedicated experience in financial services, preceded by work in film and television talent representation.

Outside of his profession, Michael actively volunteers with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Ana and Long Beach. He enjoys art, theater, and an active outdoor lifestyle through golf, running, surfing, and snowboarding. A long-time resident of Orange County, he currently resides in Costa Mesa, CA.
Securities Agent: OK, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WY, AR, PR; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2062728
CA Insurance License #: OF91379

About Ryan Beddeo

Ryan is a Financial Advisor at the Johnson Group at Morgan Stanley. He prioritizes understanding each clients targeted goals before creating a tailored approach. Ryan is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and believes in the importance of a strategic plan.

Ryan is a graduate of The Masters University where he earned a business finance degree as well as a master’s in business administration. While pursuing his education, Ryan was a member of the men’s basketball program both at Fresno State and The Masters University. Upon graduating, Ryan spent several years at UBS where he grew his knowledge across the wealth management business.

When not in the office, Ryan enjoys spending time with family, golfing, and coaching youth sports.
Securities Agent: NJ, CT, OK, MS, AR, VA, MO, MD, HI, SC, NY, OR, MN, MA, FL, CO, WA, PA, OH, NE, IL, GA, AL, UT, TX, MI, AZ, NV, NM, DE, DC, NC, CA, WV, TN, KS, IN, ID; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2673870

About Winona Livingston

As a Registered Client Service Associate with The Johnson Group, Winona focuses on providing excellent client service and seamless execution for each client. Known for her patience and warmth, Winona partners with key team members to nurture client relationships, and optimize procedures, including client integration, transactions, and asset transitions.

With a strong foundation in financial services since 2009, including associate roles at Wells Fargo Advisors and Prudential Financial, Winona brings a wealth of operational expertise.

Winona earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of California, Santa Barbara. She holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations, and a CA Life and Health insurance license.

Residing in Huntington Beach with her husband and two children, Winona enjoys traveling, attending her children’s recreational activities and recently welcomed a Goldendoodle into her home.
CA Insurance License #: 0J02614

About Danielle Barabino

Danielle Barabino supports The Johnson Group as a Wealth Management Associate by servicing their clientele of high-net-worth individuals, affluent families and corporations, and providing operational and sales assistance across their multiple lines of business. Danielle enjoys the challenges of helping develop tailored strategies designed to pursue the diverse needs and goals of their clients.

Danielle joined Morgan Stanley in 2025 after serving as a Senior Wealth Strategy Associate at UBS for over 8 years, and as a Client Associate at J.P. Morgan Securities before that. She graduated from the University of California, Irvine in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics while playing collegiate water polo.

Danielle was inducted into the UC Irvine Athletics Hall of Fame alongside her father, both water polo standouts while at the university. Her and her husband, being a former UCLA water polo player as well, share their love for the sport with their two children, who may one day follow in their footsteps.

About Thomas Aguna

Drawing on more than 15 years of financial services experience, Thomas is often the first line of contact on a broad array of client services. A consummate professional, he is committed to providing each client with the highest level of personal service and integrity.

From the largest task to the smallest request, Thomas works diligently to exceed client expectations. He is responsible for various operational activities, including onboarding new clients, assisting clients with their daily needs, processing trades and interacting with the firm’s back office personnel to ensure the business continues to run efficiently. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Thomas worked at J.P. Morgan Securities, New York Life and interned at Merrill Lynch. He is a 2006 graduate of the University of California at Riverside, where he earned his degree in Business Economics.

Growing up in southern California, Thomas now lives in Temescal Valley with his wife, Jennifer, and their three children, Charlie, Margot and Eloise. He loves all types of outdoor activities, including camping, hiking, and trail running and looks forward to backpacking with his kids when they get a little older.
CA Insurance License #: 0G06110

The Power of Partnerships

By partnering with experienced individuals across wealth disciplines, Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors can align specialized resources with your custom needs and deliver strategic guidance through the familiarity and trust of existing relationships

About Kyle Miller

Kyle Miller is a Senior Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in California.

Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.

Kyle began his career in financial services in 2005, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2011 as an Associate Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Senior Banker at U.S. Bank. He also spent time early in his career with the Denver Broncos.

Kyle is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Finance, and San Diego State University, where he received his MBA in Business Administration. He lives in Dana Point, California with his wife and two daughters. Outside of the office, Kyle enjoys skiing, playing golf and volunteering in the community.
NMLS#: 798374
Wealth Management
From Our Team

Overcoming Your 5 Biggest Retirement Challenges


Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

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Equity Compensation

Helping you make the most of your equity awards and better understand how it may fit into your your larger financial picture – today and tomorrow.

  • Vesting events
  • Option expirations
  • Restricted stock units
  • Tax implications

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
Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse
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Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse

Financial planning after a divorce or death can be trying, but with the right approach and the right advice you can turn a difficult situation into empowerment.

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 Johnson 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’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.

For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.

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2Morgan 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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3Alternative 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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4Morgan 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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5When 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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6Morgan 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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7Morgan 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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8Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.

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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)