Phone:
(949) 717-5476(949) 717-5476
The Pepper Group at Morgan Stanley
Our Mission Statement
The Pepper Group is dedicated to helping individuals and multi-generational families manage their wealth through the complexities of major life events. Our commitment is to be an extension of our clients’ financial lives by providing comprehensive financial advice, wealth planning, and active portfolio management strategies.
Investment Strategy
Through working with high net worth individuals and families for 30+ years, The Pepper Group at Morgan Stanley understands that managing clients’ wealth means instilling confidence in our clients’ financial lives.
We strive to support our clients’ needs and help them achieve their goals as they transition through various phases of life, which is accomplished by creating an investment strategy suited to their risk tolerance. Through a deep understanding of your goals, we create customized portfolios that invest across asset classes and incorporate global macroeconomic expectations.
By implementing investment expectations from Morgan Stanley’s Global Investment Committee (“GIC”) and other well-respected Wall Street economists and analysts, we combine premiere investment research with extensive investment experience to understand and identify opportunities within specific asset classes.
Our team also incorporates all interrelated areas of our clients financial lives (e.g. financial and estate planning, banking, employee benefits, insurance, etc.) to help ensure comprehensive implementation of appropriate strategies.
In delivering our capabilities, our team holds the designations Certified Financial Planner® and Chartered Financial Analyst®, so our experience spans financial, investment, retirement, legacy, and philanthropic planning strategies.
We strive to support our clients’ needs and help them achieve their goals as they transition through various phases of life, which is accomplished by creating an investment strategy suited to their risk tolerance. Through a deep understanding of your goals, we create customized portfolios that invest across asset classes and incorporate global macroeconomic expectations.
By implementing investment expectations from Morgan Stanley’s Global Investment Committee (“GIC”) and other well-respected Wall Street economists and analysts, we combine premiere investment research with extensive investment experience to understand and identify opportunities within specific asset classes.
Our team also incorporates all interrelated areas of our clients financial lives (e.g. financial and estate planning, banking, employee benefits, insurance, etc.) to help ensure comprehensive implementation of appropriate strategies.
In delivering our capabilities, our team holds the designations Certified Financial Planner® and Chartered Financial Analyst®, so our experience spans financial, investment, retirement, legacy, and philanthropic planning strategies.
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Location
800 Newport Center Dr.
Ste 500
Newport Beach, CA 92660
US
Direct:
(949) 717-5476(949) 717-5476
Meet The Pepper Group
Phone:
(949) 717-5490(949) 717-5490
Phone:
(949) 717-5341(949) 717-5341
Michelle Queensen
Portfolio Associate
Phone:
(949) 717-5493(949) 717-5493
About Michael Pepper
Having worked in the financial services industry for 30+ years, Michael Pepper understands the personal challenges and various situations related to managing large amounts of wealth. As an Executive Director and Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley, Mike and his team work with high-net worth retail and institutional clients to define their personal goals and build comprehensive financial plans to help achieve them. Their responsibilities include custom portfolio management, goals-based financial and retirement planning, estate and trust planning strategies, and providing access to cash management and lending products.
Utilizing the vast array of Morgan Stanley-backed resources, Mike and his team have developed processes that seek to fundamentally understand their clients. They start by building a relationship at the personal level, working together to create financial and life goals, and then collaborating on wealth management strategies that will move clients from their current situation to one which they envision. Mike strives to take the complexity out of wealth accumulation and to simplify his clients’ circumstances so that they can feel confident in their financial plan.
Mike holds the prestigious Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) certification and is supported by his long-tenured associate, Michelle Queensen. He also recently partnered with his daughter, Leah Pepper, CFA, and his son, Trevor Pepper, CFP®. Leah brings investment management experience through a career that spanned New York and Los Angeles, and Trevor offers experience working as a financial advisor in San Francisco. Mike holds his bachelor’s degree in finance from California State University, Long Beach. In addition to his CFP® mark, he holds his securities registrations Series 7, 63, and 65. Outside of the office, Mike enjoys playing golf, riding his eBike along the beach, and walking in the Bolsa Chica Wetlands with his wife, Beth.
Utilizing the vast array of Morgan Stanley-backed resources, Mike and his team have developed processes that seek to fundamentally understand their clients. They start by building a relationship at the personal level, working together to create financial and life goals, and then collaborating on wealth management strategies that will move clients from their current situation to one which they envision. Mike strives to take the complexity out of wealth accumulation and to simplify his clients’ circumstances so that they can feel confident in their financial plan.
Mike holds the prestigious Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) certification and is supported by his long-tenured associate, Michelle Queensen. He also recently partnered with his daughter, Leah Pepper, CFA, and his son, Trevor Pepper, CFP®. Leah brings investment management experience through a career that spanned New York and Los Angeles, and Trevor offers experience working as a financial advisor in San Francisco. Mike holds his bachelor’s degree in finance from California State University, Long Beach. In addition to his CFP® mark, he holds his securities registrations Series 7, 63, and 65. Outside of the office, Mike enjoys playing golf, riding his eBike along the beach, and walking in the Bolsa Chica Wetlands with his wife, Beth.
Securities Agent: HI, NV, NH, MN, MD, LA, IL, TX, SC, PA, ID, WA, OH, NY, VT, VA, OR, NC, FL, CA, DE, AK, CO, AZ, TN; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 989600
CA Insurance License #: 0754646
NMLS#: 989600
CA Insurance License #: 0754646
About Leah Pepper
Leah Pepper holds a BA in Economics and a BS in Public Relations from The University of Texas at Austin. She has been in the asset management industry since 2017 and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) designation. Prior to joining The Pepper Group at Morgan Stanley, she worked as a financial advisor consultant at PIMCO in New York and later relocated to the PIMCO headquarters in Newport Beach to work in institutional client management. Most recently, she worked in institutional client management at Apollo Global Management. Leah also brings experience working with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as she, among other PIMCO colleagues, was selected to help manage the emergency Commercial Paper Funding Facility at the onset of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Leah currently resides in Newport Beach, CA. Outside of work, she enjoys travel, spending time outdoors, Broadway shows, and Texas Longhorns football.
Leah currently resides in Newport Beach, CA. Outside of work, she enjoys travel, spending time outdoors, Broadway shows, and Texas Longhorns football.
Securities Agent: OH, PA, ID, FL, VA, SD, NC, AK, NY, MN, CO, CA, MD, IL, TX, OR, NH, VT, LA, AZ, TN, NV, DE, HI, WA, SC; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2496635
NMLS#: 2496635
About Trevor Pepper
Trevor Pepper holds a BA in Finance from Texas Christian University. Prior to joining The Pepper Group at Morgan Stanley, he worked as financial advisor for Charles Schwab in San Francisco. He has been in the financial industry for the last eight years and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. His job is to collaborate with his clients to create a better financial life and build a plan defined by their goals. To do this, he values time spent together talking about the things in life that truly matter like family, legacy, purposeful living and giving back when we have the heart and resources to do so. Trevor provides advice that is unique to your situation, clear, relevant, and actionable and his commitment to clients centers on his desire to serve them and their family.
Trevor currently resides in Huntington Beach, CA. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, working out, and watching his favorite sports teams.
Trevor currently resides in Huntington Beach, CA. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, working out, and watching his favorite sports teams.
Securities Agent: NV, HI, ID, TX, OH, MA, DE, CA, SC, NC, NH, NY, MN, MD, FL, AK, VA, TN, SD, PA, OR, LA, AZ, IL, CO, WA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1658573
NMLS#: 1658573
About Michelle Queensen
Michelle is a Portfolio Associate for the Pepper Group. A results-driven professional, she is committed to building strong relationships with clients. Michelle completes client requests and answers inquiries quickly and accurately. She supports with processing trades and developing custom client reports and financial plans.
Growing up in Missouri, Michelle was always interested in the world of finance. She attended Missouri State University, majoring in Economics and minoring in Finance. After earning her degree, Michelle began her career at Ameriprise Financial and relocated to southern California. She obtained her Series 7, Series 66 and Insurance Licenses. Michelle also gained experience and knowledge working at J.P. Morgan Securities before moving to Morgan Stanley in 2020.
Outside of the office, Michelle enjoys exploring southern California, especially the many beaches and hiking trails. She also loves to attend concerts and music festivals, and travel abroad.
Growing up in Missouri, Michelle was always interested in the world of finance. She attended Missouri State University, majoring in Economics and minoring in Finance. After earning her degree, Michelle began her career at Ameriprise Financial and relocated to southern California. She obtained her Series 7, Series 66 and Insurance Licenses. Michelle also gained experience and knowledge working at J.P. Morgan Securities before moving to Morgan Stanley in 2020.
Outside of the office, Michelle enjoys exploring southern California, especially the many beaches and hiking trails. She also loves to attend concerts and music festivals, and travel abroad.
CA Insurance License #: 0K43898
Contact Michael Pepper
Contact Leah Pepper
Contact Trevor Pepper
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
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
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
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
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
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving
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Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Pepper Group today.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
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.
2When 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.
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 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.
5Morgan 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.
6Alternative 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.
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
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.
2When 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.
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 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.
5Morgan 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.
6Alternative 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.
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)
