The PBFM Insight Group at Morgan Stanley

Mihir Patel serves as the Managing Member of The PBFM Insight Group. Mihir governs the overall strategy for all client portfolios, and is essential to implementing these strategies. Mihir outlines personalized investment philosophies and solutions for each client and uses the capital markets to source opportunistic and potentially alpha generating ideas for his clients.

Mihir spent the first 10 years of his career at Merrill Lynch & Co. before joining Morgan Stanley in 2011 as a Managing Director. He has completed the Certified Market Technician charter. He is a graduate of The University of Richmond, where he received his bachelor’s degree in business administration with concentrations in finance and economics. Mihir also serves on the board of trustees for the University of Richmond.

In 2017, Mihir was named one of “America’s Top 500 Next Generation Wealth Advisors” by Forbes Magazine. Mihir was also named on Forbes’ inaugural list of America’s Best-in-State Wealth Advisors in February 2018, 2020, and 2022-2025, as well as being one of America’s top wealth advisors in August 2022. He was also named to On Wall Street’s “Top 40 Advisors under 40” from 2017-2019, as well as a Five Star Professional Wealth Manager from 2014-2017. In addition, Mihir would go on to be listed on Barron’s “America’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisors” from 2019-2025.

Mihir lives with his wife, Kristy, and daughter, Gemma, in the West Village in New York City.

Disclosures:
Forbes Top 500 Next Generation Wealth Advisors
​Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jul 2017) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 3/31/16 - 3/31/17.

Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2018, 2020, 2022-2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.

Source: “Top 40 Advisors Under 40,” On Wall Street Magazine, January 2017, 2018, 2019 issue. On Wall Street's Top 40 Under 40 asks brokerage firms to nominate their top young brokers. Of those nominated, On Wall Street bases its rankings on quantitative and qualitative criteria. Financial Advisors are ranked by their annual trailing-12 month production (as of Sept. 30, 2017, 2018, 2019), The rating is not indicative of a Financial Advisor’s future performance. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors pay a fee to On Wall Street in exchange for the rating. © 2022 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC

2014-2017 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
Source: fivestarprofessional.com (Awarded 2014-2017) The award was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Five-Star Professional based on objective criteria. The award was not based on a specific time period.

2019-2025 Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State (formerly referred to as Barron's Top 1,000 Financial Advisors: State-by-State)
Source: Barrons.com (Awarded 2019-2025). Data compiled by Barron's based on 12-month period concluding in Sept of the year prior to the issuance of the award.

2014-2017 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
Source: fivestarprofessional.com (Awarded 2014-2017) These awards were determined through an evaluation process conducted by Five Star Professional, based on objective criteria, during the following periods:
2014 Award - 03/01/2013 - 10/01/2013
2015 Award - 03/01/2014 - 10/01/2014
2016 Award - 11/01/2015 - 09/30/2016
2017 Award - 11/01/2016 - 11/30/2017

As a senior partner of The PBFM Insight Group, Tim Baker draws on both retail and institutional experience to assist clients with managing their diversified portfolios.

Tim started his career working on the Merrill Lynch & Co. capital markets desk for taxable fixed income. He joined The PBFM Insight Group as a Client Associate in 2009, graduated to Financial Advisor in 2010 before moving to Morgan Stanley in 2011. Tim’s specialty is portfolio construction with a tilt towards fixed income. Tim graduated from Catholic University of America with a Bachelor of Arts in Finance.

Tim was a Five Star Professional Wealth Manager Award winner from 2014-2017* as well as being named on Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors List in March 2018 and 2019. Most recently, Tim was named to the Forbes Best-in-State list in 2022-2024.

Tim lives in Westfield, New Jersey, with his wife, Kristine, and their children, Ella, Shae, and Dean.

Disclosures:
2014-2017 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
Source: fivestarprofessional.com (Awarded 2014-2017) The award was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Five-Star Professional based on objective criteria. The award was not based on a specific time period.

Forbes Top Next Generation Wealth Advisors
​Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jul 2019) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 3/31/18 - 3/31/19.

2022-2024 Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023,2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.

Harrison Fritz is a Senior Vice President and a financial advisor on The PBFM Insight Group. Since joining The PBFM Insight Group in February 2020, Harrison focuses on servicing ultra-high net worth individuals in our Private Wealth Management division to help meet the client’s long-term financial goals. Harrison plays a crucial role in driving business development by identifying new opportunities for growth and expanding our team’s client base. He builds strong, lasting relationships with clients through regular, personalized communication and a deep understanding of their unique financial needs. Harrison also collaborates with other team members to deliver comprehensive financial solutions, helping ensure that clients receive the highest level of service possible.

Harrison began his career at Morgan Stanley in May 2018 in the Corporate Equity Solutions Division as a Client Service Associate. During this time, Harrison concentrated on supporting participants from several Fortune 500 companies in managing their executive compensation and corporate benefits solutions.

Harrison graduated from University of Miami School of Arts and Sciences with a B.A. in Economics. He is an avid golfer with a 2 handicap. Harrison currently lives in New York City with his wife, Allison, and their son, Charles.

Matt joined the team in 2019 and plays a key role in managing the team’s reinvestment business while also specializing in equity syndicate distribution. As a Financial Advisor, he works closely with clients to design customized investment portfolios, navigate equity compensation, and develop strategies that address both current financial needs and long-term goals such as retirement and legacy planning.

Matt began his career in financial services at Merrill Lynch & Co, in 2011 and joined Mogan Stanley in 2017, where he advanced from Client Associate to Financial Advisor. Matt graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurial Management.

Originally from Long Island, Matt currently lives on the Upper East Side of New York City.

As a Certified Financial Planner, Rob Granite dedicates his time to assisting investors in meeting their short and long-term financial objectives through the creation of robust, comprehensive financial plans. His mission is to ensure that all clients employ effective strategies to help achieve their personal and professional financial goals, considering virtually all aspects of financial and family wealth planning.

Rob began his career at Morgan Stanley in 2007, joining the Private Banking Group with a focus on banking and ultra-high net worth client lending. Following his time in the Private Banking Group, Rob served as an advisor working within the Corporate & Private Wealth Solutions division. There, he gained extensive experience working with many of the firm’s Fortune 500 corporate clients while structuring and administering highly customized executive compensation and corporate benefit solutions. His dedication in executive financial services has enabled Rob to effectively service, support, and expand upon key institutional and private wealth management relationships for his team and the firm. Prior to his current role in Wealth Management and Financial Planning Services, Rob held positions at both The Bank of New York and Wells Fargo Bank in trust administration. He graduated from Manhattan College with a B.S. in Finance.

Rob currently lives on Long Island with his wife, Amanda, and their two children, Mila and Cole.

NMLS # 799919

Gerry has been in the financial services industry for over 30 years and specializes in fixed income portfolio construction with a tilt towards tax-free municipal bonds. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2023, Gerry worked at Merrill Lynch, Dean Witter and municipal bond specialist Gabriele, Hueglin & Cashman all in New York City.

Gerry attended St. John’s University and lives with his wife, Danielle, and their three children, Nathaniel, Penelope & Caleb in Malverne, New York on Long Island.

John joined The PBFM Insight Group in April 2025 as an investment consultant after 15+ years in Morgan Stanley’s capital markets fixed income division as a senior salesperson for the North East region. There John covered Morgan Stanley’s most sophisticated advisory teams, their ultra-high net worth wealth management clients, family offices and middle market institutional accounts where his primary focus was fixed income portfolio construction, advisor fixed income business growth and identifying and implementing alpha generating strategies within legacy client portfolios. Prior to Morgan Stanley John was an institutional municipal bond trader at Piper Jaffray where he transacted with large scale institutional mutual funds, insurance companies and arbitrage accounts while managing division balance sheet risk and profitability. John’s current responsibilities include the development of tailor-made fixed income investment solutions across a variety of asset classes and identifying ways for our clients to capitalize on broader market trends and fixed income market opportunities.

John began his career at Sanford Bernstein after graduating Clarkson University with a BS in Finance. He currently resides in Somers NY with his wife Deanna and his three sons John, Joseph and James.

Jane Hand
Wealth Management Associate
Assistant Vice President

Jane Hand is a Senior Sales Associate who uses her experience to assist clients with their day-to-day operational needs. Jane gained experience in the institutional sales force at both First Boston and Merrill Lynch. During her 13 years at Merrill Lynch, she worked in various capacities on both the institutional and retail sales forces. She is a graduate of Mary Mount College in Arlington, V.A.

Jane is a long-time resident of Red Bank, New Jersey.

Joseph Messina serves as the Business Operations Manager for The PBFM Insight Group. Joe began his career as an administration professional within the Private Client Division of Smith Barney and within the same year was promoted to Financial Analyst for the organization. After the Morgan Stanley and Smith Barney joint venture, Joe worked briefly in the Finance department before transitioning into a role within the Office of Business Management. In January of 2013, Joe became an integral part of the management staff of Morgan Stanley’s flagship office, working directly for the complex manager. Joe brought his vast knowledge of the different areas of the firm to the PBFM Insight Group in the summer of 2018.

Joseph is a graduate of St. John’s University with a BS in Legal Studies and currently lives in New Jersey with his wife, Gina and their children, Sierra and Luke.

Magdalena Sulima began her career with Morgan Stanley in 2010. As a Registered Client Associate, she assists clients to with day-to-day operational needs including money movement, onboarding, trading and technology support. Magdalena was born and raised in Poland, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management. After graduation, she moved to New York to continue her education at City University of New York. She is a graduate of Baruch College where she completed her second B.B.A., majoring in Finance. Currently, Magdalena lives in Queens with her husband and three sons. She enjoys traveling, skiing, cooking, and gardening.

Sydney graduated from The Kelley School of Business at Indiana University with a B.S. in Entrepreneurship & Corporate Innovation, Management, and International Business.

Sydney has joined the PBFM Insight Group in 2024 and is currently working on obtaining securities licenses. Sydney grew up in Boca Raton, FL, and currently resides in New York City.

Tom joined the PBFM Insight Group in June 2024 as a Business Development Associate. In this role, he specializes in guiding senior executives and corporate leaders through the complexities of concentrated equity positions, executive compensation, and long-term wealth strategies. With prior experience serving both institutional and individual clients, Tom blends technical expertise with a personalized and relationship driven approach.

He began his career in financial services at AXA Advisors, focusing on retirement planning for individual clients. In 2020, Tom joined Morgan Stanley’s Corporate Client Group, serving as the primary relationship manager for several Fortune 500 companies. There, he supported hundreds of executives with the execution of stock option strategies, management of their stock awards, as well as informing them on how their corporate equity plans can be incorporated into their long-term financial goals. His work combined the rigor of institutional coordination with the nuance of one-on-one executive planning.

Tom graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration. Tom grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida but currently resides in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. He currently holds Series 7 and Series 66 licenses.