The Peninsula Group at Morgan Stanley

Lionel M Goldberg is passionate about helping others achieve their dreams and has dedicated his entire adult life to the financial services industry. With a strong foundation built on the value of hard work since his youth, Lionel’s approach to financial advising is grounded in a deep understanding of his clients’ needs and aspirations.

With over three decades of experience, Lionel’s unique approach revolves around collaborating with his clients to identify their financial goals and needs. He believes in guiding them through the process, ensuring they comprehend every step and decision along the way. Lionel’s commitment to comprehensiveness means he refrains from making recommendations until he has a holistic view of his clients’ current and future cash requirements. One of Lionel’s favorite aspects of his work is witnessing that “aha” moment when his clients realize they’re on track to achieve their goals.

As a financial advisor, Lionel prides himself on his thoroughness and dedication to his clients’ financial success. Lionel started his financial career at Ithaca College, where he received his B.S. in Business Management. From there, he joined Prudential Securities in June 1986 and transitioned to Smith Barney in October 2000, which later became part of Morgan Stanley.

Outside of Lionel’s professional life, he finds joy in spending time with his family and friends in Hewlett, NY, where he has resided for over three decades. He enjoys the summer months engaging in activities like beach outings, tennis, pickleball, and spending quality time with his wife Judy, and their three adult children, Michelle, Samantha, and Robert. Lionel embraces life both in and out of the office.

Michael Maher Jr. is a dedicated financial advisor who thrives on helping clients achieve their financial aspirations. With a deep-rooted passion for guiding individuals and families through various life stages, Michael values the trust bestowed upon him by multiple generations of clients.

Michael's journey into financial advisory began at an early age, shaped by vital lessons from his parents. As a youngster, he ventured into entrepreneurial endeavors like lawn mowing and snow shoveling, where his father instilled the importance of saving, budgeting, and prudent financial management. These formative experiences ignited Michael's lifelong ambition to become a financial advisor, a dream he harbored since the 3rd grade.

Guided by the golden rule, "treat others the way you want to be treated," Michael approaches each client relationship with empathy, understanding, and a commitment to personalized service. He recognizes that every client is unique, some may have the same amount of money, but every client has distinct financial goals and risk tolerances. Thus, he tailors financial plans to suit individual needs, fostering strong and enduring partnerships.

Driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact in people's lives, Michael chose the path of a financial advisor to empower others in reaching their financial aspirations. His unwavering dedication to his clients' well-being resonates in every interaction, reflecting his genuine passion for the business.

Michael embarked on his financial services career in 1992, joining Shearson Lehman Brothers while still pursuing his education. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from St. John's University. Throughout his career, Michael has remained steadfast in his commitment to serving clients, a journey that led him to Morgan Stanley, where he continues to make a difference in the lives of those he serves.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Michael finds joy in exploring the world with his wife Nathalie. Together, they embrace adventure, having traveled to approximately 35 countries and embarked on thrilling journeys like great white shark cage diving in South Africa and navigating the Zambezi River's rapids in Zambia.

Radcliffe Blackwood Jr (J.R.), is a dedicated financial advisor whose passion lies in positively impacting the lives of clients. With a keen eye for numbers and a desire to alleviate financial stress, J.R. embarked on a career path that merges his expertise in banking with his commitment to holistic financial planning.

Growing up as the son of a math teacher and engineer, J.R. developed an early affinity for numbers. His prior career in banking equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of various financial aspects, including lending, investments, and debt management. This diverse background laid the foundation for his unique approach to financial advising, centered around a three-step model. His three-step model consists of an Introduction Call to assess if the prospective client is a good fit, a Discovery Meeting to understand the client’s dreams, wishes, and fears around money, and lastly, put together a tangible plan and guide the client along the way.

What sets J.R. apart from his competitors is his genuine care for his clients’ well-being. He prioritizes building strong relationships and takes the time to truly understand each client’s individual needs. This client-centric approach has earned him a reputation as a trusted partner, resulting in a majority of his clientele coming from referrals.

J.R.’s commitment to serving his community extends beyond the realm of finance. As an active member of the Caribbean community, he lends his support to organizations like JAMCCAR, which provides community service and scholarships.

Outside of work, J.R. finds joy in spending time with his family. He resides in Wantagh, NY with his wife Tina and son Radcliffe III, affectionately known as JJ. An avid sports fan, J.R. cheers for teams like the Giants, Yankees, Knicks, and Manchester United. He also shares a passion for music, inherited from his family’s lineage of DJs and artists, and enjoys traveling to explore new cultures.

Since beginning his journey in the financial services industry in 2012 at JP Morgan Chase, J.R. joined Morgan Stanley in 2016, where he continues to make a difference in the lives of his clients. J.R. acquired his B.S. in Marketing from SUNY Old Westbury and brings a unique blend of expertise, passion, and dedication to his role as a financial advisor.

Having been a financial advisor for over 36 years, I have created lasting relationships with clients and families, including many multi-generational relationships. One of my passions is educating and advising women on the various aspects of financial planning and investing. Through the combination of my experience, drive, and extreme attention to detail, I am dedicated to helping you achieve your goals and working with you every step of the way.

My objective is to deliver customized programs designed to preserve and grow wealth, and simplify my client’s lives so they can focus on the people and pleasures that mean most to them. I empower clients to be confident in their financial decisions through knowledge and education, and am committed to informing my clients on all relevant financial subject matters, solutions, and market situations. For years I have not only counseled clients, but helped them prepare for life’s anticipated and unexpected moments.

I am proud of the services and solutions I offer and welcome the opportunity to provide this same service and standard of care to you. My broad experience combined with Morgan Stanley’s vast resources allow me to assist with almost every facet of financial services including investment management, retirement, legacy, philanthropy, and education planning. Working with an extensive network of specialists in insurance, structured solutions, estate planning and lending services compliments and deepens the advice I provide.

I am deeply involved in my community and speak Hebrew fluently. In my spare time I enjoy playing Bridge, Canasta, Pickleball, and taking my dogs to the park as well as spending time with family. Please schedule a time for us to chat, as I look forward to working together and achieving your goals.

Joseph Pizzo is committed to being a financial advisor as it offers a wide array of challenges and opportunities to use his knowledge and experience in helping clients navigate the diverse world of finance. Each case he handles is different, allowing him to apply a personalized approach to meet his clients' unique goals. His dedication to understanding his clients' lifestyles and risk tolerance ensures that their objectives are always at the forefront of his strategy.

For Joe, being a financial advisor is more than a career; it's a family tradition. Introduced to the business at an early age by his father, Joe was captivated by the excitement of the trading floor during the summers he spent at his father's office. This early exposure ignited a lifelong interest in the industry. After graduating from Adelphi University in 1993 with a degree in Business Administration, he immediately began his career in finance and has been devoted to the field for the past 30 years.

Joe’s approach is distinguished by his deep personal connections with his clients. This client-centered philosophy is evident in his commitment to direct communication. When clients call, they speak with Joe, not a call center. This "Old School" approach fosters trust and ensures that he is intimately familiar with his clients' needs.

Family plays a central role in Joe’s life. He and his wife, Andrea have been married for 25 years, and he is immensely proud of their two daughters. Amanda is pursuing a career as a Physician Assistant at Rutgers University, and Jessica is interning for a member of Congress while working towards a degree in International Relations. In his free time, Joe enjoys hiking with his family, gardening, and occasionally golfing.

In addition to his professional commitments, Joe is deeply involved in his community. For the past decade, he has served as a firefighter in his hometown of Commack, NY, and has been a Lieutenant of Ladder Company 1 for the last two years. He is also in the process of obtaining his EMT certification, further demonstrating his dedication to helping others.

Joe began his career in the financial services industry in 1994 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2010. His decades of experience, combined with his commitment to personalized client care and community service, make him a trusted and dedicated advisor.

A determined leader that has ambitions set on developing, learning and growing in the finance sector. I am known for my creative mindset, collaboration and coordination within a team setting and competitive nature.

Nick Crocco brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong commitment of client service to our team. He graduated in 2020 from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, earning a B.S. in Accounting with a Minor in Business Administration. Shortly after graduation, Nick began his career as an Investment Funds Tax Associate at RSM US, a prestigious accounting firm in New York. In this role, he specialized in tax preparation for hedge fund and private equity clients.

In March of 2022, Nick transitioned to Morgan Stanley as a Digital Virtual Engagement Associate. At Morgan Stanley, he excelled in assisting financial advisors nationwide. He leveraged Morgan Stanley’s firm tools, enhanced client relationships, improved prospecting efforts, and played a part in growing the book of business of all his teams.

In July of 2024, Nick moved to his current role as a Registered Client Service Associate with The Peninsula Group at Morgan Stanley, one of his teams he serviced while in the Digital VEA Program. As a team member of The Peninsula Group, Nick is dedicated to providing every client with the highest level of service, striving to make a positive impact on the lives and families he assists. His commitment to excellence and personalized service sets him apart in the wealth management field.

Nick currently resides in Babylon, NY. When he's not assisting clients or collaborating with his team, he enjoys spending time on the golf course with his friends and celebrating his Italian heritage by playing bocce with his father in local leagues and tournaments across the country.