The Monte Sano Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley

“The most important quality for an investor is temperament, not intellect.  You need a temperament that neither derives great pleasure from being with the crowd or against the crowd.”

"I really enjoy working with clients and learning about their unique life stories. I feel blessed to be a part of helping people to build an increased comfort level in their financial lives."

"My passion and calling is helping others navigate through life's many transitions."

"Building wealth is predicated on taking risk, not avoiding it. A disciplined, reliable and repeatable process by which risk can assessed and managed is imperative in choosing to invest in the face of certain volatility."

As a Financial Advisor with the Monte Sano Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley, I take pride in providing comprehensive financial guidance to both individual clients and businesses. With 11 years of industry experience and a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Alabama, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the table. My tenure at Morgan Stanley, which began in August 2019, has been marked by a commitment to understanding my clients' unique financial needs and goals.

Throughout my career, I've honed my skills in assessing risk, conducting thorough research, and devising investment strategies tailored to each client's circumstances. I have been recognized as the top licensed private banker at BBVA Bank in 2016 and 2017, and as a Pacesetter award recipient at Morgan Stanley from 2021 to 2023. I firmly believe that my dedication to my clients sets me apart, and I am committed to providing unparalleled service to help them achieve their financial aspirations.

Beyond the office, I am a devoted family man and active member of my community. Whether it's spending quality time with my wife Carla and daughter Bet, enjoying outdoor activities like golfing and hunting, or volunteering at my church's children's center on Sundays, I strive to make a positive impact both professionally and personally. My passion for life extends to everything I do, from cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide to simply savoring the moments shared with loved ones.

Pat brings a wealth of experience to his role as Financial Advisor and founding partner of The Shields Group at Morgan Stanley. With nearly 35 years of financial management experience, Pat empowers clients to live a better life and aims to be their first call for anything financial. His extensive background enables him to provide a broad array of services. He loves building relationships with clients, understanding their particular challenges and strategizing together to achieve their goals. For Pat, professional achievement is measured in terms of client well-being and goal achievement.

A December 1987 graduate of Wichita State University where he studied Finance and Economics, Pat’s goal upon graduation was to begin a career in wealth management. The October market crash that occurred that year put a damper on his plans. Instead, Pat became a Financial Analyst and Program Finance Manager at The Boeing Company in Wichita, KS. For the next ten years, Pat would travel 20 weeks a year, analyzing and negotiating proposals with Boeing subcontractors. He worked a broad array of programs, including all the commercial airplanes in the fleet and Air Force One. In 1990, he moved to Huntsville to work on the proposal for the Space Station and later on the financial management of the International Space Station.

Ten years after starting his career at Boeing, Pat returned to his original goal of working in wealth management. He joined Merrill Lynch as a Financial Advisor in 1998 and took on the role of Resident Director there from 2003 to 2011. In 2020, Pat moved his practice to Morgan Stanley, where he served as the Resident Branch Manager of the firm’s Church Street office in 2020 and 2021. He has been an invaluable member of the firm ever since.

A strong believer in giving back, Pat was a Community Advisor for the Junior League of Huntsville and served on the Boards of The Huntsville Library Foundation and The American Red Cross. Today, he is a big supporter of the HudsonAlpha (HA) Institute for Biotechnology. He is an HA Ambassador, a member of the HA Professionals Network and serves as a Mentor in the HA Navigate program, an MIT accredited program that helps mentor up-and-coming biotech firms currently housed in HudsonAlpha.

Pat believes balance is vital to a happy life. He and his wife, Leslie, have lived in Huntsville for over three decades where they have raised their three children. An avid fly fisherman, Pat also enjoys hiking, Porsche Sports cars and cycling.

Jay Hedgspeth, a seasoned Financial Advisor, brings a wealth of experience to his clients as Morgan Stanley. Born and raised in Gadsden, Alabama, Jay has deep ties to his hometown, where he currently resides with his family.

Jay’s academic journey took him to the University of Alabama, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce and Business Administration, majoring in Health Care Management. This education background has provided him with a solid foundation in business principles and financial management. Jay’s professional career began in banking, where he worked from 2008 to 2014. During this time, he developed a strong understanding of financial services and customer relations. He then transitioned to mortgage origination, working in the field from 2014 to 2019. Since 2019, Jay has been dedicated to financial advising, helping clients achieve their financial goals through tailored investment strategies and guidance. In April of 2023, he joined Morgan Stanley, where he has continued his role as a financial advisor with the Monte Sano Group. Jay also holds the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation, underscoring his ability to assist business owners in planning and executing successful exits from their companies.

Family is central to Jay’s life. He has been married to his wife Claire, since 2012, and they have two daughters Hadley and Amelia. Their family is completed by their cocker spaniel, Joe Cocker Hedgspeth. An active member of his community, Jay serves on the boards of the James M. Barrie Child Advocacy Center and the Alabama Repertory Theater. He also attends the First Baptist Church of Gadsden. In his free time, Jay enjoys playing music at local venues, as well as golfing and spending time with the family.

"I am a Master Problem Solver."

Brian is a Certified Financial Planner TM (CFP^®), Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA^®) and Wealth Management Analyst at The Shields Group with more than 15 years of industry experience. A results-driven professional, he is committed to building strong relationships with clients, colleagues and various business units within Morgan Stanley. Brian’s primary responsibilities include asset allocation, investment manager due diligence, financial planning and performance reporting.

Growing up in Huntsville, Brian always had an interest in finance. After earning his Bachelor’s degree from Freed Hardeman University in 2005, he began his career at Boeing, working in their Finance division for seven years. In 2012, Brian joined Pat Shields as a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch, who he had interned with during his college years. He enjoys working side-by-side with Pat, performing many of the duties he currently manages. Brian and Pat moved their practice to Morgan Stanley in 2020.

Brian’s desire to help others achieve their personal and professional goals is equaled only by his dedication to his community and his family. A former president of Metro Kiwanis, Brian is a Deacon at Chase Park Church of Christ. In his free time, he loves to spend time with his wife, Jessica, and their two daughters. He also enjoys exercise, traveling and dining in different restaurants.

As a Senior Registered Associate with more than 3 decades of industry experience, Meg focuses on building strong client relationships and providing superior service. Meg has been a member of Patrick's team since 2003 and a member of the Morgan Stanley family since 2020.

Meg began her career in financial services in 1986, upon earning her B.A. from Converse College in Spartanburg, SC. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Meg worked at Merrill Lynch as a Registered Senior Client Associate as well as an Assistant to the Office Manager. While at Merrill, Meg was recognized as the “Client Associate of the Year” four times in her region. Today, Meg maintains her FINRA Series 7, 63 and 65 licenses and enjoys working directly with clients, helping them simplify their lives and achieve their financial goals.

A native of Mississippi, Meg and her husband, Wade, have been calling Huntsville home for over 30 years and are passionate about giving back to their community. She is a past president and former board member of the Junior League of Huntsville, having been an active member for 15 years and is currently a sustaining member. Meg has also served two 6 year terms on the Huntsville Library Foundation Board, having served as Chairman of the Board for three years. Through Morgan Stanley, she has become involved with volunteer work at Manna House, a local Huntsville charitable organization. She and her husband are members of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity.

Outside of the office, Meg and Wade enjoy an active lifestyle.
Spending time with friends and family is high on their priority list. They also love to travel, hike and follow golf, baseball and football.