Phone:
(302) 573-4002(302) 573-4002
The Laird and Connolly Group at Morgan Stanley
Direct:
(302) 573-4000(302) 573-4000
Toll-Free:
(800) 788-4090(800) 788-4090
Our Mission Statement
Experience, intellectual capital and dedicated personal service to help you meet your life goals
Welcome
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.*
Location
500 Dupont Field Blvd
Ste 300
Greenville, DE 19807
US
Direct:
(302) 573-4000(302) 573-4000
Toll-Free:
(800) 788-4090(800) 788-4090
Meet The Laird and Connolly Group
Sean P. Connolly
First Vice President, Wealth Management, Wealth Advisor
Phone:
(302) 573-4026(302) 573-4026
Maryellen Bukowski, Portfolio Associate
Financial Planning Associate
Phone:
(302) 573-4020(302) 573-4020
About Richard Laird
Richard Laird is a Senior Investment Management Consultant in the Greenville, DE office with over 30 years of investment experience. Richard joined Dean Witter, a predecessor firm to Morgan Stanley*, in 1993. In 2001, Richard formed the Laird and Connolly Group at Morgan Stanley*
He provides long-term investment consulting and risk management services for both foundations, endowments, and provides customized investment strategies for affluent clients looking to manage, grow, preserve, and transition their wealth.
He had extensive management experience working in the health care field, prior to joining Dean Witter. Richard holds his BA in Business Administration from New England College and MC from the University of Delaware. Richard received the designation of Wealth Advisor in 2002.
Richard has been active member of several local organizations. He served on the Board of Trustees of the Nature Conservancy Pennsylvania/Delaware Chapter. Richard was the Past Governor of the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Delaware and is a past member of the Delaware Academy of Medicine’s Investment Advisory Committee. He also served on the Vestry and was Assistant Treasurer of Christ Church Christiana Hundred. He was also the Past President of the Greenville/Centreville Rotary Club, as well as chaired the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware Investment Committee and served on its Management Committee for 9 years.
In his spare time, he enjoys Photography, Travel, and Golf.
He provides long-term investment consulting and risk management services for both foundations, endowments, and provides customized investment strategies for affluent clients looking to manage, grow, preserve, and transition their wealth.
He had extensive management experience working in the health care field, prior to joining Dean Witter. Richard holds his BA in Business Administration from New England College and MC from the University of Delaware. Richard received the designation of Wealth Advisor in 2002.
Richard has been active member of several local organizations. He served on the Board of Trustees of the Nature Conservancy Pennsylvania/Delaware Chapter. Richard was the Past Governor of the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Delaware and is a past member of the Delaware Academy of Medicine’s Investment Advisory Committee. He also served on the Vestry and was Assistant Treasurer of Christ Church Christiana Hundred. He was also the Past President of the Greenville/Centreville Rotary Club, as well as chaired the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware Investment Committee and served on its Management Committee for 9 years.
In his spare time, he enjoys Photography, Travel, and Golf.
Securities Agent: CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, MA, MD, ME, MI, MT, NC, NV, NY, OR, PA, SC, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WY, KY, DC, OK, NJ, AL, AZ, CA, CO; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1298029
CA Insurance License #: OK23814
NMLS#: 1298029
CA Insurance License #: OK23814
About Sean P. Connolly
With over 23 years of financial services experience, Sean helped form The Laird and Connolly Group at Morgan Stanley in 2001. Sean provides his clients with a collaborative process, a focus on comprehensive planning, and a deep understanding of wealth management issues for professionals in a life transition.
A Virginia native, Sean graduated Hampden-Sydney College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, and he holds a Certificate in Financial Planning from The American College. His thorough, process-driven approach to wealth management takes clients through a multi-step progression: gathering personal financial data, conducting a detailed analysis, developing a plan, and revising the plan based upon ongoing consultations.
But even more than his focus on process driven methods, Sean makes certain that every client has a broad understanding of each component of their personal financial plan. As a member of The Laird and Connolly Group, Sean works with executives, directors, managing partners and retirees to help build financial roadmaps designed to guide them through the financial issues unique to their respective situation.
Sean lives in Wilmington with his wife Amy and daughter Susanna.
A Virginia native, Sean graduated Hampden-Sydney College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, and he holds a Certificate in Financial Planning from The American College. His thorough, process-driven approach to wealth management takes clients through a multi-step progression: gathering personal financial data, conducting a detailed analysis, developing a plan, and revising the plan based upon ongoing consultations.
But even more than his focus on process driven methods, Sean makes certain that every client has a broad understanding of each component of their personal financial plan. As a member of The Laird and Connolly Group, Sean works with executives, directors, managing partners and retirees to help build financial roadmaps designed to guide them through the financial issues unique to their respective situation.
Sean lives in Wilmington with his wife Amy and daughter Susanna.
Securities Agent: ME, AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, KY, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OR, PA, SC, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WY, OK; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1285126
CA Insurance License #: OK36482
NMLS#: 1285126
CA Insurance License #: OK36482
About Maryellen Bukowski
Maryellen Bukowski has been in the financial industry for 27 years. She is a Portfolio Associate and also has the Financial Planning Associate designation. She holds her Series 7, 63, 65, 31, 9 and 10 securities licenses and is a graduate of Immaculata University with a BA in Organization Dynamics. Within the team, Maryellen is responsible for the administration of all operational items as well as coordinating client centric and administrative projects designed to benefit the client experience. In addition to 20 years at Morgan Stanley, she has also held administrative and management roles with Smith Barney and JPMorgan. Away from the office, Maryellen enjoys interior design, baking and spending time at the beach. She lives in Wilmington with her husband, Bob, and dog, Poco.
Contact Richard Laird
Contact Sean P. Connolly
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
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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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
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
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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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
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Laird and Connolly Group today.
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.
2Investors should consider many factors before deciding which 529 plan is appropriate. Some of these factors include: the Plan’s investment options and the historical investment performance of these options, the Plan’s flexibility and features, the reputation and expertise of the Plan’s investment manager, Plan contribution limits and the federal and state tax benefits associated with an investment in the Plan. Some states, for example, offer favorable tax treatment and other benefits to their residents only if they invest in the state’s own Qualified Tuition Program. Investors should determine their home state’s tax treatment of 529 plans when considering whether to choose an in-state or out-of-state plan. Investors should consult with their tax or legal advisor before investing in any 529 Plan or contact their state tax division for more information. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not provide tax and/or legal advice. Investors should review a Program Disclosure Statement, which contains more information on investment options, risk factors, fees and expenses and possible tax consequences.
3Morgan 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.
4Morgan 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.
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.
6Morgan 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.
7When 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.
8The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) aware investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because ESG criteria exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining financial market.
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.
2Investors should consider many factors before deciding which 529 plan is appropriate. Some of these factors include: the Plan’s investment options and the historical investment performance of these options, the Plan’s flexibility and features, the reputation and expertise of the Plan’s investment manager, Plan contribution limits and the federal and state tax benefits associated with an investment in the Plan. Some states, for example, offer favorable tax treatment and other benefits to their residents only if they invest in the state’s own Qualified Tuition Program. Investors should determine their home state’s tax treatment of 529 plans when considering whether to choose an in-state or out-of-state plan. Investors should consult with their tax or legal advisor before investing in any 529 Plan or contact their state tax division for more information. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not provide tax and/or legal advice. Investors should review a Program Disclosure Statement, which contains more information on investment options, risk factors, fees and expenses and possible tax consequences.
3Morgan 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.
4Morgan 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.
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.
6Morgan 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.
7When 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.
8The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) aware investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because ESG criteria exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining financial market.
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)
