The Premier Group

For over 30 years, Brian has been providing comprehensive investment management and wealth planning services to his clients. His experience lies in coordinating all aspects of the financial planning process for the individuals, corporations and foundations that he and his team serve. Brian is recognized across many financial disciplines and is particularly well-versed in issues surrounding investment management, estate and trust planning strategies, philanthropy, retirement planning and insurance risk management.

Early in Brian’s career, he served as a Trust Officer in the Trust Department of a large Atlanta-based regional bank. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2002, Brian was employed by Merrill Lynch Trust Company as manager of the firm’s Wealth Management Services division for the Southeast Region. In this capacity, he led a large team of investment and fiduciary specialists and oversaw the firm’s consulting initiatives across numerous markets.

Brian earned his degree in Industrial Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology (“Georgia Tech”). At Morgan Stanley, he has completed extensive additional training and achieved the designations of Portfolio Management Director and Sports and Entertainment Group Director.

Brian is married with three adult children. His wife is a Physician, specializing in maternal fetal medicine. His oldest child is a graduate of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and now practicing registered nurse, his middle a graduate of both the University of South Carolina and the University of Georgia and now an educator, and his youngest attending Columbia University.

Jon focuses on the specialized wealth management needs of Corporate Executives and their families. Areas of focus include wealth management and migration techniques involving investment management, asset allocation, concentrated position analysis, managed portfolio consulting and executive benefit services. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Jon held advisory and management positions with Wachovia Securities, JC Bradford & Company and Robinson-Humphrey with over 30 years of industry experience.

In addition to advanced training in asset allocation and investment planning, Jon is an Investment Advisory Representative with several registrations in the securities industry, including insurance and annuities licenses. Current philanthropic and community activities include: Vista Center for the Blind, the Eric M Holzworth Memorial Foundation, the Father Christmas Cup and Christ the King Church, among others. Jon graduated with a degree in Finance from Auburn University and from The Marist School. Jon is married with two sons, Jonathan and Ryan.

Sherry is a experienced and knowledgeable investment professional that is passionate about taking care of her clients and providing them with customized advice and guidance. She leverages her 25 years of experience in the financial services industry to provide comprehensive wealth management for high net worth clients. Prior to Morgan Stanley, Sherry was a Senior Relationship Manager at J.P. Morgan Private Bank. Prior to that, she held a variety of roles with other large financial institutions, including equity analyst, corporate banker, and capital markets specialist.

She has attained the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA^®), is a member of the Atlanta Society of Finance and Investment Professionals, and is Series 7, 24, 63, 65, and Insurance Licensed. Sherry received an MBA in Finance from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, and her undergraduate degree from Tulane University. Sherry currently serves on the Board of Trustees of The Temple Endowment Fund, and is active in the community with numerous other organizations. Sherry and her husband Jerry reside in Atlanta and have two children in college.

Alex Small has been a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley since 2003. He received an undergraduate degree in both Economics and Communications from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado. Alex also earned an MBA at the Goizueta Business School of Emory University. In 2006, Alex attained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation.

Alex’s practice focuses upon creating a financial plan that serves as a foundation for the investment allocation for each client. Once a plan is in place, Alex manages a portfolio of securities tailored to each client and monitors the portfolio to help ensure it is on track to reach the financial plan goals.

In addition to investments, Alex leverages Morgan Stanley’s lending capabilities to help clients obtain liquidity when needed. Alex is also a licensed insurance agent with experience reviewing life insurance, term insurance and Long Term Care insurance needs.

After surviving a massive heart attack on his 37th birthday in 2015, Alex’s drive to live a productive, healthy and happy life only intensified. Alex lives in Atlanta with his wife, son and two daughters. When away from the office, Alex enjoys working out, coaching his children’s various sports teams, reading non-fiction books to improve his knowledge base, and sharing with others what he has learned in his quest to prevent and reverse heart disease.

Ric’s career in investment management and wealth transfer planning extends over three decades and his experience lends clients valuable perspective on the tools, strategies and best practices associated with the efficient management and transfer of their wealth. He is a Financial Advisor with knowledge and experience across many financial disciplines and is particularly well-versed on issues surrounding investment management, philanthropy and estate planning.

Early in Ric’s career, he served as a Portfolio Manager in the Trust Department of a large regional bank and was a member of the investment team that managed its proprietary mutual fund products. Additionally, he previously led distribution efforts for a competitor’s Private Equity, Hedge Fund and Real Estate practice in the Southeast. Immediately prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Ric oversaw Merrill Lynch Trust Company’s consulting initiatives across numerous states.

Ric holds a BBA from Northwood University and completed the ABA National Graduate Trust School at Northwestern University and the Cannon Trust School at the University of Notre Dame. Outside of the office, Ric and his family are active in the community and involved with numerous charities and civic organizations. Ric and his wife have been residents of Atlanta since 1985 and have two adult children. Both their son and daughter are graduates of the University of Georgia and their daughter completed her Master’s degree at Vanderbilt University in 2022.

Series 7, 31, 63 and 66, Life and Annuity Licensed
Participates in the Breast Cancer 3 Day and animal rescue
Leah lives in Duluth and has one son in college

Series 7 and 66 Licensed
Bachelor of Economics from The University of Georgia

Steve is a Portfolio Management Associate for the Premier Group at Morgan Stanley responsible for research, client service, and Portfolio Management for clients.

Prior to joining the team at Morgan Stanley, Steve was with Invesco Global Asset Management for fifteen years as head of the Global Equity Team.

He received his B.A. and M.B.A. from The University of Mississippi and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst™ designation.

Steve lives in Atlanta, GA. with his wife and two young children.

Series 7 & 63 Licensed

Beth has nearly 20 years of experience in financial services and wealth management serving in a variety of roles including Client Service Associate, Complex Service Manager, and most recently, PWM Director of Business Strategy. Beth holds a BA in Communications from the University of Alabama and has attained the Certified Financial Planner designation. She is Series 3, 7, 9, 10, 63, 66 and Insurance Licensed.

Beth strives to create exceptional client service through attention to detail, timely execution and providing guidance in areas such as retirement planning, tax management, estate and trust planning strategies, cash management and lending solutions, and life insurance.

Beth resides in Marietta with her husband, daughter and four dogs and is involved with the Atlanta Humane Society and JDRF.

Series 7 and 66 Licensed
Graduated from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance
Originally from Nashville, TN where he attended Montgomery Bell Academy

Alexis Adams is originally from Macon, GA and she is a 2019 graduate of the University of Georgia. She joined Morgan Stanley after spending some time at a recruiting agency here in Atlanta. Alexis enjoys cooking, running, and spending time with her family.

Leigh has more than 30 years of Financial Services Industry experience. As an Institutional Consulting Associate on the Graystone Team, she is often the first point of contact with corporate clients on a broad range of topics and services. Her role combines client relationship management skills with marketing skills and product knowledge to cultivate longstanding relationships with her Issuer clients.
These skills are implemented in two areas. On the business development side, she improves and streamlines the service model and operational procedures for the team. This includes business performance reviews in conjunction with the advisor to develop customized presentation materials to attract new institutional clients. Also, she identifies practice management opportunities through various firm channels and provides support on products and services.
On the client support side, she is tasked with cultivating relationships with new institutional clients and proactively helping them find solutions related to the complexities of equity compensation. Leigh is also responsible for coordinating educational seminars, including material preparation for clients and prospects on behalf of the advisor. Lastly, she helps resolve complex issues received from the institutional client with input from senior team members.
Leigh has earned her Certified Equities Professional (CEP) designation and is an active member of the National Association of Stock Plan professionals (NASPP). She is a graduate of Battle Ground Academy in Franklin, TN and received her BS in Business Administration from Auburn University.
She is an active contributor to the Atlanta community through Restoration Church and resides in Canton with her husband, Don.

Virginia joined Morgan Stanley after graduating from The University of Georgia in 2020, where she received her degree in Financial Planning and competed for the UGA track and cross country teams. Outside of the office, Virginia enjoys being outdoors, running, and spending time with family and friends. Virginia holds her Series 7 and 66 FINRA Registrations.

Cade joined Morgan Stanley after graduating from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business with a degree in Finance in 2023.

He is Series 7 and 66 licensed.