

The Joshua Tree Group at Morgan Stanley
Direct:
(480) 922-7800(480) 922-7800
Toll-Free:
(800) 727-4888(800) 727-4888

Our Mission Statement
Experienced wealth planning services for your life and legacy goals
Our Story and Services
At the Joshua Tree Group at Morgan Stanley, we work with clients and their families to help them meet the challenges of their financial lives through customized investment management and wealth planning.
Our team members have roots in Arizona and in the financial industry that span multiple generations, so our client relationships run broad and deep in our community, both personally and professionally. We offer you this legacy of continuity as we serve the wealth management needs of you and your family.
Working together, we’ll focus our knowledge and skill exclusively on helping you achieve your objectives—whether they include saving for a college education, planning for a comfortable retirement, supporting the philanthropic causes you care about, transferring your wealth to your loved ones, or preparing your children to handle their inheritance responsibly and in alignment with your family’s values.
Throughout the process, our strategies and recommendations are supported by the resources of Morgan Stanley, one of the largest and most established financial services firms in the industry, and we deliver its strength and scope to you at a local and individual level.
Barron's Top 1200 Financial Advisors
Source: Barron's Awarded March 2025. Data compiled by Barron's based on time period from Oct 2023-Sept 2024. Awards Disclosures
The Joshua Tree Group has been named as a Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Team for 2025
Named as a 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Team
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jan 2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based for the period from 3/31/23-3/31/24.
Our team members have roots in Arizona and in the financial industry that span multiple generations, so our client relationships run broad and deep in our community, both personally and professionally. We offer you this legacy of continuity as we serve the wealth management needs of you and your family.
Working together, we’ll focus our knowledge and skill exclusively on helping you achieve your objectives—whether they include saving for a college education, planning for a comfortable retirement, supporting the philanthropic causes you care about, transferring your wealth to your loved ones, or preparing your children to handle their inheritance responsibly and in alignment with your family’s values.
Throughout the process, our strategies and recommendations are supported by the resources of Morgan Stanley, one of the largest and most established financial services firms in the industry, and we deliver its strength and scope to you at a local and individual level.
Barron's Top 1200 Financial Advisors
Source: Barron's Awarded March 2025. Data compiled by Barron's based on time period from Oct 2023-Sept 2024. Awards Disclosures
The Joshua Tree Group has been named as a Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Team for 2025
Named as a 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Team
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jan 2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based for the period from 3/31/23-3/31/24.
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Location
14850 N Scottsdale Rd
Suite 600
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
US
Direct:
(480) 922-7800(480) 922-7800
Toll-Free:
(800) 727-4888(800) 727-4888
Fax:
(623) 209-7457(623) 209-7457
Meet The Joshua Tree Group
About Michael W Butt
My number one goal is to make sure my clients are protected. Today's investment environment is increasingly complex. New opportunities are everywhere, which is why experienced investment guidance is more important than ever.
If you are like most investors, you need an advisor who has the knowledge and the skills to help you sort through and take advantage of investment opportunities that are right for you. Everything I do is aimed at earning your complete trust, so you know for certain you have a person on your side who can provide advice and services to help you achieve your financial goals.
As your Financial Advisor, I take the time to understand your concerns, to advise you on the investment process and to create a strategy customized to your specific needs. Just as important, I know the value of keeping a long-term perspective on performance and following an investment strategy that can help weather varied market conditions.
Fostering long-term client relationships based on trust and integrity is the benchmark of my business philosophy. I believe personal service is a chief contributor to growth and profitability. Ultimately, I want my clients to succeed in whatever they choose to endeavor from a financial perspective. If I can help you achieve your dreams and mitigate risks, I have done my job.
I have had the fortune of working with some of the most trusted firms on Wall Street, including PaineWebber and Piper Jaffrey. Today, I am honored to be ranked as a 2020 Barron’s Top Financial Advisor, earning #7 in the state of Arizona as Managing Director of Wealth Management / Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley.
While I am proud of what I have accomplished to help my clients, my greatest achievement is raising my two grown daughters, Jordan and Cassidy, together with my wife, Alicia. As a family, we enjoy traveling the world, golfing, skiing and donating our time to non-profit charity organizations.
Disclosure:
2018-2022 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 2018-2022). Data compiled by Barron's based on 12-month period concluding in Sept of the year prior to the issuance of the award.
If you are like most investors, you need an advisor who has the knowledge and the skills to help you sort through and take advantage of investment opportunities that are right for you. Everything I do is aimed at earning your complete trust, so you know for certain you have a person on your side who can provide advice and services to help you achieve your financial goals.
As your Financial Advisor, I take the time to understand your concerns, to advise you on the investment process and to create a strategy customized to your specific needs. Just as important, I know the value of keeping a long-term perspective on performance and following an investment strategy that can help weather varied market conditions.
Fostering long-term client relationships based on trust and integrity is the benchmark of my business philosophy. I believe personal service is a chief contributor to growth and profitability. Ultimately, I want my clients to succeed in whatever they choose to endeavor from a financial perspective. If I can help you achieve your dreams and mitigate risks, I have done my job.
I have had the fortune of working with some of the most trusted firms on Wall Street, including PaineWebber and Piper Jaffrey. Today, I am honored to be ranked as a 2020 Barron’s Top Financial Advisor, earning #7 in the state of Arizona as Managing Director of Wealth Management / Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley.
While I am proud of what I have accomplished to help my clients, my greatest achievement is raising my two grown daughters, Jordan and Cassidy, together with my wife, Alicia. As a family, we enjoy traveling the world, golfing, skiing and donating our time to non-profit charity organizations.
Disclosure:
2018-2022 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 2018-2022). Data compiled by Barron's based on 12-month period concluding in Sept of the year prior to the issuance of the award.
Securities Agent: RI, TN, MO, NC, DE, MT, TX, OR, NE, WI, WY, WA, OK, OH, AR, WV, VA, UT, SD, SC, PA, NV, CA, CT, NY, DC, NH, AZ, MS, GA, MI, ME, NM, LA, MA, KY, IN, IL, ID, MN, MD, IA, HI, NJ, FL, AK, CO, AL, KS; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1265021
NMLS#: 1265021
About Thomas Assalone
My commitment as a financial advisor is to help clients create, and preserve wealth, by assisting in the growth and preservation of their assets. Services I provide are inclusive of, but not limited to, asset allocation, estate investment strategies, fixed income strategies, financial services and retirement savings.
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with some of the most trustworthy financial institutions on Wall Street, including E.F. Hutton, Paine Webber & Co., Piper Jaffray (UBS), Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., and today, Morgan Stanley. My strength and knowledge in portfolio management enables me to help guide clients through critical decision making, providing them with recommendations for diversified holdings and tax-exempt income streams. My dedication to client service and goal-oriented investment strategies on a strictly individualized basis are paramount to the premium service I deliver every day.
I earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from The University of Arizona with Minors in Economics and History. I joined the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) while in college and enjoyed playing a few roles on stage, in TV and on film. I traveled extensively in my youth with my parents, observing their unwavering commitment to serving our country as military servants. My father earned a chest full of medals including a Purple Heart and 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses for his service during the Vietnam War, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, with my Mom. There example has been the greatest motivator of my life.
Alongside supporting my clients, I am passionate about travel, the arts, and education. In addition, I regularly contribute to worthwhile charitable organizations, including St. Mary’s Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul, the USO, reservation schools, and various public and private school initiatives.
Asset allocation and diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss in a declining financial market.
NMLS#: 2056741
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers insurance products in conjunction with its licensed insurance agency affiliates.
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with some of the most trustworthy financial institutions on Wall Street, including E.F. Hutton, Paine Webber & Co., Piper Jaffray (UBS), Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., and today, Morgan Stanley. My strength and knowledge in portfolio management enables me to help guide clients through critical decision making, providing them with recommendations for diversified holdings and tax-exempt income streams. My dedication to client service and goal-oriented investment strategies on a strictly individualized basis are paramount to the premium service I deliver every day.
I earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from The University of Arizona with Minors in Economics and History. I joined the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) while in college and enjoyed playing a few roles on stage, in TV and on film. I traveled extensively in my youth with my parents, observing their unwavering commitment to serving our country as military servants. My father earned a chest full of medals including a Purple Heart and 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses for his service during the Vietnam War, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, with my Mom. There example has been the greatest motivator of my life.
Alongside supporting my clients, I am passionate about travel, the arts, and education. In addition, I regularly contribute to worthwhile charitable organizations, including St. Mary’s Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul, the USO, reservation schools, and various public and private school initiatives.
Asset allocation and diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss in a declining financial market.
NMLS#: 2056741
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers insurance products in conjunction with its licensed insurance agency affiliates.
Securities Agent: OR, GA, NE, WY, MT, OH, NV, KS, RI, WV, SD, SC, WI, UT, VA, IN, IL, MD, MI, WA, MN, OK, TN, KY, TX, NC, PA, CA, NH, NY, NM, NJ, MO, CT, DC, MS, AZ, FL, ME, MA, LA, HI, DE, AK, ID, AR, IA, CO, AL; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 2056741
NMLS#: 2056741
About Timothy Bryan
As your Financial Advisor, I 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, I can help you to preserve and grow your wealth. You will 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.
Securities Agent: WI, OK, OH, SD, KY, HI, NC, MS, LA, WV, ID, SC, TN, RI, UT, PA, NY, KS, MD, MI, MN, MT, NE, NH, IL, IN, AR, AZ, CO, WY, GA, FL, WA, VA, DC, TX, CT, OR, NV, NM, NJ, MO, ME, MA, IA, DE, CA, AL, AK, PR; General Securities Principal; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2097561
NMLS#: 2097561
About Jeremy Horton
Business Experience:
2007 to present - Morgan Stanley
Education and Licensing:
Bachelor of Science - Arizona State University
WP Carey School of Business - Marketing
Magna Cum Laude, 2006
2008 - Series 7 licensed
2009 - Series 66 licensed
Registered in 50 states
2007 to present - Morgan Stanley
Education and Licensing:
Bachelor of Science - Arizona State University
WP Carey School of Business - Marketing
Magna Cum Laude, 2006
2008 - Series 7 licensed
2009 - Series 66 licensed
Registered in 50 states
About Christopher Ragazzo
Business Experience:
10+ Year experience
2012 to 2015 - Credit Suisse Wealth Management
2015 to present - Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Education and Licensing:
Bachelor of Arts - University of North Carolina Wilmington
Economics, 2010
Master of Economics - North Carolina State University, 2012
2014 - Series 7 and 66 licensed
2018 - Securities Industry Essentials Examination
Registered in 50 states
10+ Year experience
2012 to 2015 - Credit Suisse Wealth Management
2015 to present - Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Education and Licensing:
Bachelor of Arts - University of North Carolina Wilmington
Economics, 2010
Master of Economics - North Carolina State University, 2012
2014 - Series 7 and 66 licensed
2018 - Securities Industry Essentials Examination
Registered in 50 states
About Meghan Kelly
Business Experience: 2019- present Morgan Stanley
Education and Licensing:
Bachelor of Science- Arizona State University Finance, 2018
2019: Series 7 and 66 licensed
2018: Securities Industry Essentials Examination
Registered in 50 states
Education and Licensing:
Bachelor of Science- Arizona State University Finance, 2018
2019: Series 7 and 66 licensed
2018: Securities Industry Essentials Examination
Registered in 50 states

Contact Michael W Butt

Contact Thomas Assalone

Contact Timothy Bryan
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 Rick Dombrowski
Rick Dombrowski is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in Arizona.
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.
Rick began his career in financial services in 1996, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2014 as a Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Private Banker at BBVA Compass. He also served as a Credit Analyst, Private Banker and Regional Credit Manager at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Rick is a graduate of Arizona State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with his family. Outside of the office, Rick enjoys music, skiing, and traveling.
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.
Rick began his career in financial services in 1996, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2014 as a Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Private Banker at BBVA Compass. He also served as a Credit Analyst, Private Banker and Regional Credit Manager at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Rick is a graduate of Arizona State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with his family. Outside of the office, Rick enjoys music, skiing, and traveling.
NMLS#: 512436
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
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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
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
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
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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Philanthropy
Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
- Endowments
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- Donor Advised Funds
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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.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Joshua Tree Group today.
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
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)