Phone:
(831) 646-6115(831) 646-6115
The Keller Group at Morgan Stanley
Direct:
(831) 646-6140(831) 646-6140
Our Mission Statement
Offering custom, fully integrated personal and business advice to a select group of entrepreneurs, executives and their families.
Our Services
Integrating business and personal wealth management
In wealth management, the personal and the professional are inextricably linked. We believe decisions about stock options or business equity and choices regarding portfolio management and estate planning, should all be made in the context of a comprehensive, customized, coordinated plan. The most effective solutions are those that work for both your business and your loved ones.
Our unique background in both business consulting and wealth management gives us the experience to provide suggested solutions to personal and professional needs. We offer comprehensive wealth management, including everything from creating and maintaining a diversified portfolio to planning for retirement and other life events. We also can help with liquidity planning, exercising stock options, debt, succession planning, acquisitions, cash flow and other business issues.
Many of our clients have been with us for generations. They trust us with some of their most important life decisions. We have helped them achieve many of their goals. We welcome the opportunity to discuss how we might be able to help your family as well.
A comprehensive suite of services
- Investment: Asset allocation, investment management, alternative investments, impact investments, private portfolio management
- Business Planning: Succession planning, sale of business, liquidity events and wealth diversification
- Lifestyle: Balance sheet, cash flow, education spending, retirement plans, annuities
- Banking: Cash management and lending solutions
- Risk: Investment and financial, life and disability insurance, life insurance trusts, long-term care insurance
- Legacy: Strategic estate planning, trusts, multi-generational planning
- Family Governance and Wealth Education: Governance structures, documents, wealth education plans
- Philanthropy Management: Charitable giving, philanthropic services (advisory, giving, connections)
- Lifestyle Advisory: Art, personal security, home, health
Services Include
- Professional Portfolio ManagementFootnote1
- Business PlanningFootnote2
- Asset Management
- Cash Management and Lending ProductsFootnote3
- Estate Planning StrategiesFootnote4
- Financial PlanningFootnote5
- Philanthropic ManagementFootnote6
- Business Succession PlanningFootnote7
- Life InsuranceFootnote8
- Long-term Care InsuranceFootnote9
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Bespoke and comprehensive planning
Bespoke and comprehensive planning
We match our services to the needs of our clients. Rather than suggesting off-the-shelf solutions, we take the time to get to know you, your business, and your family so we can develop a truly bespoke plan designed to help you meet your unique circumstances and goals.
Working with a select number of highly successful individuals and their families gives us the time to develop close relationships with clients and provide personalized, informed, proactive advice and strategies. Our goal is to serve as your family's CFO: doing research, sorting through options, and presenting recommendations designed to simplify your life and help you feel confident about the future.
A four–step process
- Discovery: We will meet with you to gain a deep understanding of your unique goals and objectives for your business, future, and legacy.
- Design: We will craft a custom financial plan that includes strategies for liquidity, diversification, investments, insurance, tax, estate, and philanthropy planning.
- Details: We will present our findings and recommendations explaining how they match your risk tolerance and help meet your short-, medium-, and long-term needs.
- Diligence: We will conduct ongoing reviews of your plan's performance and make suggestions in response to market and family changes.
The challenges of concentrated wealth
Having much of your wealth tied up in business equity or corporate stock and options presents challenges and opportunities. Concentrated wealth has implications for your tax liability, liquidity, and portfolio volatility. But it also can fund your retirement, provide for your family's future, perpetuate your philanthropic legacy, and lead to multigenerational wealth.
Our experience consulting on both personal and professional finances provides us with the experience to help navigate these situations. We can help you follow insider rules and reporting requirements and weigh any impact on public relations and office politics. We can also help explore the best ways to sell, pass along, or leverage your business to fund your retirement and cement your legacy.
Helping meet your professional needs
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Raising capital
- Restructuring
- Private secondaries
- Retirement plans
- ESOPs
- Open window sales
- Rule 144 Block sales
- Rule 10b5-1 Plans
- Donor advised funds
- Exchange funds
- Loans on restricted stock
We have worked with many of our clients for decades and have seen businesses and families grow and thrive. But we've also witnessed occasional difficulties. After all, significant wealth raises complex, multigenerational issues. How much do you wish to leave to your children and perhaps grandchildren, as well as your causes? Are your heirs prepared to handle their potential inheritance? Can you reduce transfer taxes while still benefitting heirs and charities? What are the financial and emotional implications of creating various forms of trusts?
We see our role as being CFO for your family, not just you. Our goal is to help you pass along your values as well as your wealth. We want to help you build the kind of family dynamics that will ensure your wealth is an emotional as well financial blessing.
Helping meet your multigenerational needs
- Tax, trust and estate strategiesPhilanthropy management
- Family governance and meetings
- Family mission statements
- Investing with Impact
- Coordination with trusted legal and tax advisors
- Wealth education
- Lifestyle advisory
Location
401 Fremont Street
Suite 200
Monterey, CA 93940
US
Direct:
(831) 646-6140(831) 646-6140
Meet The Keller Group
Cole Keller
Financial Advisor
Phone:
(831) 646-6140(831) 646-6140
Catherine Marino-Edwards, Portfolio Associate
Support Professional
Phone:
(831) 646-6127(831) 646-6127
About Steve Keller
Steve Keller has helped corporate executives and entrepreneurs manage their business and personal finances for almost four decades. Steve has synthesized his background in corporate services and his experience in wealth management into a unique consultative approach. He helps clients manage their wealth from converting stock, options and equity into liquid assets, into and through retirement and eventually into a multigenerational family legacy.
Steve began his financial services career in 1988 as a broker at Dean Witter, a predecessor firm to Morgan Stanley, in Burlington, Massachusetts. He eventually became a corporate service specialist advising Fortune 1000 firms on their stock option plans, capital raises and investment banking. In 1999 Steve expanded into private wealth management, often counseling the executives at his corporate clients on their own portfolios and helping them develop fully integrated, comprehensive wealth plans. By 2005 he had moved to Monterey, California and focused his practice on helping ultra-high net worth individuals and their families develop fully integrated, comprehensive wealth plans.
Steve was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. His family moved frequently following the path of his father’s ministerial career. Steve returned to Massachusetts to attend and graduate from Eastern Nazarene College. His faith animates his charitable efforts and he serves on the board of Monterey Meals On Wheels. A runner who has finished a marathon in under three hours, Steve is also an avid golfer. And despite having lived in California for more than 20 years, he remains a dedicated member of Red Sox Nation.
Steve began his financial services career in 1988 as a broker at Dean Witter, a predecessor firm to Morgan Stanley, in Burlington, Massachusetts. He eventually became a corporate service specialist advising Fortune 1000 firms on their stock option plans, capital raises and investment banking. In 1999 Steve expanded into private wealth management, often counseling the executives at his corporate clients on their own portfolios and helping them develop fully integrated, comprehensive wealth plans. By 2005 he had moved to Monterey, California and focused his practice on helping ultra-high net worth individuals and their families develop fully integrated, comprehensive wealth plans.
Steve was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. His family moved frequently following the path of his father’s ministerial career. Steve returned to Massachusetts to attend and graduate from Eastern Nazarene College. His faith animates his charitable efforts and he serves on the board of Monterey Meals On Wheels. A runner who has finished a marathon in under three hours, Steve is also an avid golfer. And despite having lived in California for more than 20 years, he remains a dedicated member of Red Sox Nation.
Securities Agent: NC, VA, OR, CA, TN, PA, NJ, CT, VT, ME, RI, MD, IL, AZ, OH, NH, MI, WA, UT, NM, DE, NY, MA, KS, GA, FL, CO, TX, SC, NV, DC; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 632786
CA Insurance License #: 0F15378
NMLS#: 632786
CA Insurance License #: 0F15378
About Cole Keller
Cole Keller has a family history in financial services, but he came to the business only after succeeding in another industry and then realizing for himself the greater satisfaction possible for an advisor. Having worked as a logistics consultant to large and midsized companies, dedicating himself 24/7 to meeting his clients’ needs and developing a specialization in cross border freight, Cole realized he wanted more. He recalled the joy he saw his parents gain from developing close connections to clients and helping them meet their goals. Cole recognized that he wanted to have that same impact on the lives of others. He feels driven to help clients be able to retire, lead the life of their dreams, and build a legacy for their children.
Cole was born in Newton, Massachusetts and moved with his family to California in 2005. After graduating the University of California at Riverside, he moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee to pursue a career with Coyote Logistics before returning to Monterey in 2024 when he decided to join Morgan Stanley.
Cole’s drive to be of service extends to his personal life as well. A cancer survivor, he serves as a Lay Ambassador at Montage Health, helping newly diagnosed patients through their own journey with cancer. Cole enjoys photography, cooking Asian food, and going for walks on the beach with his wife and their two dogs.
Cole was born in Newton, Massachusetts and moved with his family to California in 2005. After graduating the University of California at Riverside, he moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee to pursue a career with Coyote Logistics before returning to Monterey in 2024 when he decided to join Morgan Stanley.
Cole’s drive to be of service extends to his personal life as well. A cancer survivor, he serves as a Lay Ambassador at Montage Health, helping newly diagnosed patients through their own journey with cancer. Cole enjoys photography, cooking Asian food, and going for walks on the beach with his wife and their two dogs.
Securities Agent: MD, AR, VT, GA, DC, TN, NV, CT, UT, PA, CO, NJ, MI, DE, SC, ME, KS, RI, OR, OH, NM, NC, FL, AZ, WA, VA, NH, MA, TX, NY, IL, CA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2669950
CA Insurance License #: 4428921
NMLS#: 2669950
CA Insurance License #: 4428921
About Catherine Marino-Edwards
Cathy Marino-Edwards has wide ranging experience at solving difficult problems and reassuring people when they’re worried and concerned. Cathy believes truly outstanding customer service requires a combination of empathy and knowledge. She sees her role as not just helping clients when they are facing a technical problem, require a document, or need to move money, but also providing calm support and guidance when they might be dealing with an emotionally fraught situation. Cathy wants her clients to know that The Keller Group always has their back.
Cathy learned the importance of knowledge and empathy from working with people in dramatically different situations. She was born in Massachusetts and came to California when the Army stationed her at Ford Ord. When Cathy and her husband left the military they opened a Country and Western bar. After managing the bar for more than 20 years, she spent the next decade running operations at a private elementary school while also caring for her ill husband and raising their son. Cathy had always been fascinated by finance and decided to join Morgan Stanley in 2017.
Cathy loves going on walks with her dog, quilting and crafting. She enjoys going to 4H and FFA fundraising auctions and supporting youngsters who don’t appear to have lots of family and friends in attendance. That can be helpful because she loves grilling for her son when he comes down from Walnut Creek for a visit.
Cathy learned the importance of knowledge and empathy from working with people in dramatically different situations. She was born in Massachusetts and came to California when the Army stationed her at Ford Ord. When Cathy and her husband left the military they opened a Country and Western bar. After managing the bar for more than 20 years, she spent the next decade running operations at a private elementary school while also caring for her ill husband and raising their son. Cathy had always been fascinated by finance and decided to join Morgan Stanley in 2017.
Cathy loves going on walks with her dog, quilting and crafting. She enjoys going to 4H and FFA fundraising auctions and supporting youngsters who don’t appear to have lots of family and friends in attendance. That can be helpful because she loves grilling for her son when he comes down from Walnut Creek for a visit.
CA Insurance License #: 4313583
Contact Steve Keller
Contact Cole Keller
Wealth Management
From Our Team
What to Do If You Are Off Track on Your Goals
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
A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup
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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
529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education
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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
Article Image
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
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Keller Group today.
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.
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.
3Morgan 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
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.
5Morgan 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.
6Products 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.
7Morgan 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.
8Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
9Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
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
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
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.
3Morgan 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
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.
5Morgan 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.
6Products 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.
7Morgan 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.
8Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
9Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
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)