Jason Thompson
Managing Director, Wealth Management, Wealth Advisor, Senior Portfolio Management Director
Phone:
(304) 353-9052(304) 353-9052
The New River Group at Morgan Stanley
Jason ThompsonBrandon EdmondsonDavid Quisenberry, CPWA®, CRPC®Joel McDavid, CFP®, CRPC®Savannah SmithKevin T McGlothenAndrew ZbanMichael R Fannin
Direct:
(304) 353-9050(304) 353-9050
Toll-Free:
(800) 371-5412(800) 371-5412
Our Mission Statement
Experience, intellectual capital and dedicated personal service to help you meet your life goals
Welcome to The New River Group
The New River flows through North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia before joining the Gauley River to form the Kanawha River in West Virginia. Part of the Ohio River watershed, the New River spans approximately 360 miles.
The origins of its name remain uncertain. Some believe it was called the “New River” because it did not appear on early maps of Virginia; others suggest the name may derive from an Indigenous phrase meaning “new waters,” or from the surname of an early settler. Despite its name, the New River is considered one of the oldest rivers in the world from a geological perspective.
The New River Group brings fresh methods and thoughtful strategies to a well-established business, grounded in a tradition of excellence.
The New River follows a generally south-to-north course, at times cutting across the ridges and geological formations of the Appalachian Mountains. Its path contrasts with the west-to-east flow of many other major rivers in Virginia and North Carolina, as well as those on the Appalachian Plateau.
Much like its namesake, The New River Group at Morgan Stanley is willing to move against the grain — delivering customized strategies and exceptional service designed around the needs of each client.
The origins of its name remain uncertain. Some believe it was called the “New River” because it did not appear on early maps of Virginia; others suggest the name may derive from an Indigenous phrase meaning “new waters,” or from the surname of an early settler. Despite its name, the New River is considered one of the oldest rivers in the world from a geological perspective.
The New River Group brings fresh methods and thoughtful strategies to a well-established business, grounded in a tradition of excellence.
The New River follows a generally south-to-north course, at times cutting across the ridges and geological formations of the Appalachian Mountains. Its path contrasts with the west-to-east flow of many other major rivers in Virginia and North Carolina, as well as those on the Appalachian Plateau.
Much like its namesake, The New River Group at Morgan Stanley is willing to move against the grain — delivering customized strategies and exceptional service designed around the needs of each client.
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Comprehensive Financial Planning
As a financial Advisor, the trust and intimacy established within these relationships are the cornerstone of my practice. My services include taking a consultative approach across the following financial areas:
Financial Planning
Your goals, assets, liabilities, and other important financial information are gathered and analyzed through Morgan Stanley's robust planning software. I use that data to establish a financial plan and provide recommendations on allocation, savings, spending, and giving throughout your lifetime. My involvement in this process spans across all financial matters, including wealth management, tax, estate, and insurance planning.
Private Banking and Cash Management
I offer clients a comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions. With the PBG National Sales Team (Private Bankers, Associate Private Bankers, UHNW Specialists, and Cash Management Specialists),
Wealth and Asset Management
This process starts with risk assessment and management. Based on your goals, I take a holistic approach to bring all the aspects of your financial life together. I use my analysis and experience to develop a customized investment strategy for you.
Retirement Planning
It is paramount for making sure a successful retirement and I bring intense focus to this process. You have worked hard to get where you are today. Now allow myself and my team to help you live the retirement you have always dreamt of.
Planning Your Retirement
Our team will work with you to understand your priorities during these important years and implement a customized strategy for you. Whether it be planning for retirement, transitioning into retirement or managing your assets in retirement, our team has the knowledge and resources to help you accomplish your personal and financial goals.
A Simple Step By Step Retirement Checkup
Checking in on your retirement plan occasionally helps ensure you are staying on track and adapting with a changing market.
Learn more about Retirement Prep
The Psychological Transition into Retirement
Retirement is a big change in your life. Most retirement preparation focuses on financial planning, but it is just as important to look at personal considerations and help ease the fear of the unknown. We can help you understand why its important to be ready for retirement emotionally as well as financially.
Overcoming Your Biggest Retirement Challenges
While saving for a retirement is an important topic, what comes next is just as important: Your plan of action once you enter retirement. No matter how well you save during the accumulation phase, it’s critical to plan how you convert those assets to income, so you can help enjoy your retirement without stressing about your finances.
Tax-Smart Strategies to Overcome Challenges
Risks to Your Retirement
Once you determine the type of retirement you're looking to plan for, we will work together to take a close look at the potential risks that can arise along the way to your goals. No matter how well you save during your accumulation phase, it's crucial to plan how to convert those assets to income. We can help you navigate through those challenges to come out on the other side.
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Discovery Process
As a goal-oriented team, we begin our process with the end in mind. In this initial step, we dedicate time to understanding you and your family to help identify your goals. We discuss important matters such as your assets, liabilities, and risk exposures. These conversations enable us to develop specific strategies that align with your aspirations and tailor our relationship to fit your needs.
Formulation of Tax, Trust and Estate Strategy
As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive care for every client, we encourage collaboration and communication with your tax and legal advisors. This approach helps us gain a complete understanding of your financial world. Regarding estate matters, we assist in analyzing your income and estate tax circumstances to identify and customize planning techniques that support your objectives.
Creation of Customized Strategic Asset Allocation
We educate clients to ensure they have a clear understanding of risks, rewards, and realistic expectations. Your asset allocation will be designed to reflect these potential risks and rewards across multiple entities.
Integration of Tactical Asset Allocation
At times, market conditions may present short-term opportunities that could benefit you. Before making any recommendations, we analyze the impact that taxes and trading costs may have on your potential returns.
Implementation of a Customized Wealth Strategy
After conducting comprehensive due diligence and analyzing your expected results across multiple market scenarios, we select targeted strategies from Morgan Stanley’s expansive investment platform that are tailored for you.
Ongoing Assessment
We are a forward-looking team, conducting ongoing reviews of your financial plan. We may recommend changes based on market conditions or your evolving financial needs to help keep your plan on track. We believe a financial plan should be viewed as a living document rather than a static one.
Our Clients
We work with a diverse group of individual investors and families, as well as corporations and non-profits, covering a wide range of financial and investment needs. We assist our clients with needs as basic as planning for college expenses and saving for retirement, and with more complex issues such as estate and legacy planning strategies. Working with both Morgan Stanley affiliated experts, and resources available through exclusive third party arrangements, we are able to provide our clients with comprehensive solutions to their most complex financial issues.
Our Clients Include
- Families
- Business Owners
- Business Professionals
- Corporations
- 401k programs
- Doctors
- Lawyers
- CPAs
Location
500 Lee St E Laidley Twr
Ste 300
Charleston, WV 25301
US
Direct:
(304) 353-9050(304) 353-9050
Toll-Free:
(800) 371-5412(800) 371-5412
Fax:
(304) 907-0109(304) 907-0109
Meet The New River Group
Brandon Edmondson
First Vice President, Wealth Management, Financial Advisor
Phone:
(304) 353-9053(304) 353-9053
Phone:
(304) 353-9046(304) 353-9046
Phone:
(304) 353-9044(304) 353-9044
Savannah Smith
Senior Client Service Associate
Phone:
(304) 353-9025(304) 353-9025
Kevin T McGlothen
Vice President, Director of Business Strategy
Phone:
(304) 353-9056(304) 353-9056
Andrew Zban
Registered Client Service Associate
Phone:
(304) 353-9023(304) 353-9023
Michael R Fannin
Registered Client Service Associate
About Jason Thompson
Jason Thompson joined the Charleston, West Virginia, office of Morgan Stanley in 1987. He creates strategies to help individuals and businesses achieve their goals through estate, business transition, and financial planning strategies.
Jason’s first exposure to the stock market was in 4th grade, when his teacher had the class follow stocks in the newspaper over a period of time. He graduated from The University of Charleston in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BS), with emphasis in Accounting and Finance, and completed his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1992.
Jason’s first exposure to the stock market was in 4th grade, when his teacher had the class follow stocks in the newspaper over a period of time. He graduated from The University of Charleston in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BS), with emphasis in Accounting and Finance, and completed his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1992.
Securities Agent: FL, IN, WI, VT, SC, DE, CA, WA, MN, OH, GA, WV, TX, PA, MI, KY, IL, DC, RI, NY, NM, NJ, NC, MT, AL, OR, OK, IA, AZ, TN, ID, MA, CO, AR, CT, VA, NH, NE, MS, MD; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
About Brandon Edmondson
Lee Edmondson has been a part of the financial services industry since 1984 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2009. He focuses on helping his individual and business clients develop strategies to help achieve their unique objectives.
Prior to joining the New River Group, Lee had been a Senior Vice President for over thirty financial advisors in Charleston, Beckley, and Parkersburg, West Virginia, for Wachovia Securities. Before moving to Charleston, he had a successful, 18-year career as a financial advisor with Prudential Securities in Nashville, Tennessee.
Lee graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1981 with a BS in Business Administration, while a 4-year letterman on the football team.
Prior to joining the New River Group, Lee had been a Senior Vice President for over thirty financial advisors in Charleston, Beckley, and Parkersburg, West Virginia, for Wachovia Securities. Before moving to Charleston, he had a successful, 18-year career as a financial advisor with Prudential Securities in Nashville, Tennessee.
Lee graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1981 with a BS in Business Administration, while a 4-year letterman on the football team.
Securities Agent: NJ, CT, WV, NY, KY, FL, CO, CA, OR, NV, MT, IL, DE, VA, TX, DC, NC, MI, MA, IN, GA, AR, PA, MO, RI, AL, NE, MN, WI, SC, OH, MD, AZ, WA, TN, NM, MS, ID; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1279233
NMLS#: 1279233
About David Quisenberry
David Quisenberry has been a part of the financial services industry since 2000 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2017. He focuses on helping individuals and families develop long-term financial strategies that can help them achieve their goals. David is motivated by problem solving and creating strong relationships with his clients.
Born in Boone County, David purchased Walmart stock when he was a Dairy Queen employee in 11th grade. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance and his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Marshall University.
David is a former board member of the Boone County Community Foundation and lives in South Charleston with his wife and two children.
Born in Boone County, David purchased Walmart stock when he was a Dairy Queen employee in 11th grade. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance and his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Marshall University.
David is a former board member of the Boone County Community Foundation and lives in South Charleston with his wife and two children.
Securities Agent: WI, CT, WV, NV, NH, NE, MS, FL, AZ, AL, NY, TN, RI, LA, VA, NJ, MI, MA, GA, DC, CA, NC, MN, ID, TX, OH, WA, OK, MT, MD, CO, SC, OR, NM, IN, IL, UT, PA, KY, DE; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 510063
NMLS#: 510063
About Joel McDavid
Joel McDavid has been a part of the financial services industry since 2001 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2017. He works primarily with individuals and families, paying close attention to their needs, goals, and priorities in order to develop customized short- and long-term financial strategies that can help meet each individual clients needs.
Born and raised in Putnam County, West Virginia, Joel subscribed to the Wall Street Journal in middle school, always aspiring to go into this business. He has a bachelor's degree in Business Finance from West Virginia University and an M.B.A. from Marshall University.
Joel lives in Scott Depot with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two children.
Born and raised in Putnam County, West Virginia, Joel subscribed to the Wall Street Journal in middle school, always aspiring to go into this business. He has a bachelor's degree in Business Finance from West Virginia University and an M.B.A. from Marshall University.
Joel lives in Scott Depot with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two children.
Securities Agent: NE, NC, AL, RI, OR, NH, MS, MI, CO, MA, LA, CA, WA, TX, NM, IN, DC, SC, DE, AZ, VA, MT, ID, KY, GA, WI, PA, NJ, IL, WV, OK, NY, MN, MD, TN, FL, CT, UT, OH; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 510057
NMLS#: 510057
About Savannah Smith
Savannah joined the Charleston, WV office of Morgan Stanley in 2011. She also has 10 years retail experience. She supports the operational and service activities of the Financial Advisors.
Savannah is a 2007 graduate of West Virginia State University. She holds a BS in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance and a BA in Economics.
Savannah is a 2007 graduate of West Virginia State University. She holds a BS in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance and a BA in Economics.
Contact Jason Thompson
Contact Brandon Edmondson
Contact David Quisenberry
Contact Joel McDavid
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
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
Iran Conflict: Seven Takeaways for Investors
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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
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
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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
- Foundations
- Donor Advised Funds
- Impact Investing
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 New River Group today.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
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 Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
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 | Morgan Stanley
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 Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
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 | Morgan Stanley
CRC 4665150 (8/2025)
