Our Story and Services

Since 1993, The La Jolla Shores Group has been dedicated to helping professionals, families and business owners solve their complex financial challenges. Our approach includes the development of a tailored wealth management plan, a commitment to ongoing education, and outstanding service for you and your family.

Over the years, we have developed a dynamic practice that includes a diverse group of clients. We are privileged to work with an exceptional group of individuals and business owners, guiding them through the market’s ups and downs and helping them maintain the diligence required to achieve their long-term goals in any market environment.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Approach

Discovery Process
Investing the time to learn about you and your family; your assets and liabilities and the risk exposures, enables us to formulate strategies and customize the relationship to your needs.
Formulation of Tax, Trust and Estate Strategy
Working with your tax and legal advisors, we help analyze your income and estate tax circumstances to identify and tailor planning techniques that may be used to address your objectives.
Creation of Customized Strategic Asset Allocation
Your customized asset allocation reflects risk, opportunities and taxation across multiple entities, while integrating your investing and estate plans.
Integration of Tactical Asset Allocation
Short-term adjustments seek to capitalize on temporary market distortions. Before making adjustments, we analyze the impact of taxes and trading costs on potential returns.
Implementation of a Customized Wealth Strategy
After comprehensive due diligence and analysis of expected results across multiple market scenarios, strategies are chosen from our expansive investment platform.
Ongoing Assessment
In coordination with your other advisors, we can conduct ongoing reviews and comprehensive reporting to ensure that your strategy adapts to changing financial and family needs.

Morgan Stanley Family Office Resources

As your family grows and your wealth increases, you may face more subtle and profound wealth management issues. As the demands of your family grow and evolve, you will likely need advisors who have expanded their capabilities.

You are different. Not just from people with more modest wealth; you’re different from every other person with substantial wealth. Based on an in-depth understanding of your challenges, opportunities and aspirations, we can create a customized plan to help you realize your unique vision of a successful life.

Family Office Resources works with your Financial Advisor team to serve as your Virtual Family Office.

Working With You

Our work with you starts with one or more in-depth, exploratory meetings. We need to understand your unique financial situation so we can offer you the best possible advice and solutions.
When you work with us, you can expect us to:
Develop a comprehensive financial strategy based on your individual needs
Substitute discipline for emotion in the investment process
Adjust your holdings in response to new opportunities and risks
Maintain strict financial objectivity
We can also coordinate our work with other key members of your financial team, including your:
Tax specialist
Trust attorney
Insurance professional
Family office

National Recognition

    Icon Image
    Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
    Source: Forbes (Awarded Jan 2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC for the period 3/31/23-3/31/24

    https://www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/awards-disclosure/

Location

1111 Prospect Street
La Jolla, CA 92037
US
Direct:
(858) 456-4979(858) 456-4979

Meet The La Jolla Shores Group

About Marco D. Alessio

Marco Alessio is an Managing Director, Financial Advisor, and founder of the La Jolla Shores Group. He has been with Morgan Stanley since 1992.

Marco is dedicated to helping professionals, families and business owners solve their complex financial challenges. His approach includes the development of a tailored wealth management plan and a commitment to ongoing education and outstanding service for you and your family.

A graduate of The University of San Diego with a BBS in Business Administration, Marco currently serves on the Parent Board of University of San Diego and he recently served as President. He also serves as a Director on the San Diego Sports Council and is a member of the Executive Committee.

He grew up in San Diego as a second generation native. He currently resides in La Jolla with his wife Kimberly. They have a daughter Alexandra and a son Matthew. Marco is a sports fan and enjoys traveling, cooking and working in his garden.
Securities Agent: GA, MN, ID, DC, CA, UT, TX, NY, CO, NJ, MO, WA, NV, HI, AZ, TN, PA, OR, NC, FL, NE, MT, LA, SC, VA, OH, NM, IL; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 313327
CA Insurance License #: 0B66157

About Kelsey Regedanz

Kelsey Regedanz is an First Vice President, Financial Advisor, and Portfolio Manager with the La Jolla Shores Group. She started her financial career in the banking field, then becoming a Financial Advisor, and has been with Morgan Stanley since 2006. Kelsey enjoys working with business owners going through liquidity events and high net worth families to preserve assets for generations. She holds the title of Family Wealth Advisor, rewarded only to a select group of fewer than 4% of Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors who have completed a rigorous certification program.

“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.”

Kelsey received her undergraduate degree in Managerial Economics from UC Davis. She was born and raised in San Diego, CA and lives here with her husband and two children, Ruby and Rowan. She is passionate about volunteering at Saint Gregory the Great School and Canyon Springs Church and is a member of the Pi Beta Phi Alum Club.
Securities Agent: VA, ID, IL, TX, TN, NV, NY, CA, WA, OH, NJ, GA, NM, MT, AZ, UT, NE, SC, NC, MO, MN, DC, LA, FL, CO, PA, OR, HI; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1282466
CA Insurance License #: 0F65081

About Melissa Mueller

Melissa Mueller serves as lead administrator with a focus on administrative functions of the team including client service, scheduling, marketing and operational tasks. She is responsible for establishing and cultivating relationships with new and existing clients and proactively helping to resolve issues and concerns.

Melissa joined Morgan Stanley in 2010 after graduating from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance. Prior to joining The La Jolla Shores Group, Melissa gained invaluable knowledge holding numerous roles within the Firm. From a Branch Administrator working alongside the Branch Manager providing overall administrative support for the Branch, as a Complex Risk Officer with the primary responsibility for all risk, supervisory, and compliance functions, and most recently as a Group Director for a team serving the complex needs of ultra-high net worth individuals.

Residing in La Jolla with her husband and daughter, Collins, Melissa enjoys cooking, pilates and spending time with family.

About Harrison Richmond

Harrison is the newest member of the La Jolla Shores Group and focuses on portfolio analysis, investment research, account maintenance, and client service management. He is responsible for generating portfolio construction strategies while also supporting the operational efficiency of the group.

Harrison was previously a Registered Associate in the Private Wealth Management division of Morgan Stanley upon joining the firm in July 2022. He brings valuable operational and administrative experience to the team and enjoys servicing clients with the highest service model possible.

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Harrison played professional tennis on the ATP tour. He was born and raised in Pawleys Island, South Carolina and is a graduate of the University of Virginia. Outside the office, Harrison enjoys sports activities including tennis, skiing, running, and golf.

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 Russ Gallen

Russ Gallen is a 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.

Russ began his career in financial services in 2001, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2018 as a Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Wealth Management Banker at Merrill Lynch.

Russ is a graduate of Arizona State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He lives in Carlsbad, California with his wife, Chelsea. Outside of the office, Russ enjoys golf, tennis and traveling.
NMLS#: 684961
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

Wealth Management for Athletes and Entertainers

Understanding the unique financial challenges of athletes and entertainers and how they differ from one profession to the next, we deliver the experience and resources you need to help create and implement a comprehensive, multigenerational wealth management plan based on your needs, values and aspirations.
  • Investment Management
  • Wealth Transfer & Philanthropy
  • Private Banking Solutions
  • Family Governance & Wealth Education
  • Lifestyle Advisory
You are your Own CEO: Build a Dream Team for Your Career
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You are your Own CEO: Build a Dream Team for Your Career

Assembling a team of trusted professionals to manage your career—and your money—is essential to help best position you to thrive. Here’s how.

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.

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.

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
Article Image

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.

Mosaic

Explore ideas and inspiration with captivating, original lifestyle stories created exclusively for Morgan Stanley clients.
A Change of Greenery
Article Image

A Change of Greenery

Houseplants add oxygen, flair, and warmth year-round, and the right one in the right space can do just as much for a room as any painting or side table.

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
Article Image

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 La Jolla Shores Group today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
1Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

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 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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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 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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7Morgan 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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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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9Products 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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10Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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11Municipal bonds may not be appropriate for all investors. Income generated from an investment in a municipal bond is generally exempt from federal income taxes. Some income may be subject to state and local taxes and to the federal alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to tax.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and its Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide any tax/legal advice. Consult your own tax/legal advisor before making any tax or legal-related investment decisions.

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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)