The Regent Group at Morgan Stanley

Kamesh Nagarajan is a Managing Director with The Regent Group at Morgan Stanley. With over 25 years of experience, Kamesh draws on his background in economics and law to deliver highly personalized and tax-efficient wealth strategies to ultra-high-net-worth families, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and physician groups. A testament to his work in comprehensive financial planning and work in family governance are his deep multigenerational relationships spanning as many as four generations.

Kamesh holds a B.A in Economics from Vassar College and a J.D from Syracuse University College of Law. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, he worked as a paralegal at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and as an attorney at Harris, Beach & Wilcox before transitioning to Wealth Management in 1997.

He is part of Morgan Stanley’s exclusive Private Wealth Management division and holds multiple designations, including Financial Planning Specialist, Senior Portfolio Management Director, and Workplace Advisor – Equity Compensation, and serves as an International Client Advisor. Kamesh is a longstanding member of the firm’s President’s Club and has been recognized as a Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor annually since 2019, most recently in 2025 for both. He is actively involved in firm leadership, serving on the firm’s Financial Advisory Counsel and Consulting Group Advisory Council – national panels that bridge financial advisors and senior management.

A frequent speaker on financial topics, Kamesh has appeared on CNBC, Fox Business News, and CBS, and has written for publications including Forbes and Worth. He serves on the advisory boards of Teen Cancer America and the Asian American Business Development Center, and has held board roles with Syracuse University College of Law and Ascend NY. Kamesh was named as one of the Outstanding 50 Asian Americans In Business in 2011.

Kamesh lives in Westchester, NY, with his wife, Jamie and son, Arjun. He is also the proud father of twins, Anya and Prem. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family, attending concerts, playing guitar, tennis, and golf.

2019-2025 Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2019-2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management President's Club members must meet a number of criteria including performance, conduct and compliance standards, revenue, length of experience and assets under supervision. President's Club membership is no guarantee of future performance.

Jonathan is deeply committed to both growing and preserving capital through comprehensive strategies to help traverse today’s complex financial issues. Jonathan’s practice focuses on advising individuals and middle market business owners in the planning and implementation of wealth management strategies, retirement planning and estate planning strategies. Jonathan works with his clients to help build a comprehensive planning and investment process, with a regard for tax-management and risk management strategies.

Jonathan received his Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC) by the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA). This advanced designation helps enable Jonathan to address plan design considerations for his business owner clients and individual clients through custom strategies to help manage the benefit plans offered through their employers. Jonathan focuses on alternative investments and portfolio risk management.

At Morgan Stanley, Jonathan earned the designations of Senior Portfolio Manager, Insurance Planning Director, Workplace Advisor -- Equity Compensation, and Family Wealth Director. With the Family Wealth Director designation, he has access to leverage an extensive range of Family Office Resources to help develop tax management, risk management, and investment strategies for wealth accumulation, distribution, and transfer. He has been a member of Morgan Stanley’s Century Club three years in a row, from 2020-2022 and was also named to Morgan Stanley's Master's Club in 2024 and 2025. Jonathan has also been named Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State for New York City by Forbes for three consecutive years, from 2022-2024. Jonathan's Team, The Regent Group at Morgan Stanley, has been named Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams for 2024 and 2025. Jonathan has also been recognized as a Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor in New York - NYC (Private Wealth) for 2025.

2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors New York - NYC (Private Wealth)
2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
[Source: Forbes (Awarded April 2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based for the period 6/30/23–6/30/24. https://www.morganstanley.com/what-we-do/wealth-management/forbes-top-wealth-advisors-lists-2025]

Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Team: New York - NYC (High Net Worth)
2024, 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2024 & 2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.

2022-2024 Forbes America’s Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors & Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State (formerly referred to as Forbes America's Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Forbes Top 1,000 Next-Gen Wealth Advisors, Forbes Top 500 Next Generation Wealth Advisors)
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2022-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month period concluding in Mar of the year the award was issued.

The term “Family Office Resources” is being used as a term of art and not to imply that Morgan Stanley and/or its employees are acting as a family office pursuant to Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Growing up in Manhattan, attending high school and college in New England and drawing on over three decades of diverse financial services industry experience, Blake delivers comprehensive wealth management solutions to a select clientele of ultra high net worth families, individuals and their foundations. Blake focuses on attracting new clients and plays a central role in the team’s financial and tax-efficient planning process and takes the lead on providing clients with access to highly sophisticated lending and cash management solutions.

Blake returned to Morgan Stanley in 2021, where he had spent six years in institutional sales earlier in his career. He had previously served as a Senior Private Banker at JPMorgan Chase & Co. Blake has also held senior sales and marketing positions at Tocqueville Asset Management, Bridgehampton Capital Management, Cowen and Company and Cavoleph Partners, where he was also a co-founder.

Blake earned his B.A. in American History from Williams College, where he played varsity football. He is an avid golfer and loyal fan on the New York Rangers. Blake serves (or has served) on the board of Educational and Non-For Profit organizations in New York He lives in New York City with his wife, Eliza, and their three children, Blake Jr., Crosby, Natalie and their dog, Tootsie.

Brendan Johnson is an Executive Director and Financial Advisor with The Regent Group at Morgan Stanley. He focuses on developing customized and tax-efficient wealth management solutions for C-Suite executives, families, entrepreneurs, foundations, and endowments across all asset classes - including equities, fixed income, and alternative investments.

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2021, Brendan spent 11 years as a Global Investment Specialist at J.P. Morgan Private Bank. He worked closely with hedge fund principals, private equity sponsors, and other senior financial executives to address their highly sophisticated investing and risk management needs. Earlier in his career, he was part of the private client investment team at Bernstein Global Wealth Management. Brendan draws on his strong technical background to implement bespoke financial plans, integrating Capital Markets experience with complex Trust & Estate planning strategies.

Brendan began his career as a paralegal at Cravath, Swaine and Moore, L.L.P. before moving into financial services through a boutique investment bank in New York City. He holds an MBA in Finance and General Management from Columbia University and a B.A. in Political Science, with a dual minor in French and Economics from Middlebury College.

He lives in Larchmont, NY with his wife, Liz, their two children, Charlotte and Hudson, and their dog, Bogey. Outside of work Brendan is an avid golfer in between time spent volunteering at Grassroots Grocery and HOPE Food Kitchen, serving on the Board of Governors and committees for his country club and coaching his children’s basketball teams.

Andrew J Lask Jr. is a First Vice President, Alternative Investments Director, Portfolio Manager and Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. He joined the firm in 2014 and achieved his Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor certification in 2017.

Andrew received his MBA from the Lundy-Fetterman School of Business at Campbell University in North Carolina, where he competed on the NCAA Division I golf team. Andrew furthered his education at New York University, School of Professional Studies in Portfolio Management and Financial Analysis. Andrew also attended classes with the College for Financial Planning.

Furthermore, he is a former golf professional and member of the PGA of America. Andrew serves on the Board of Director’s for the American Heart Association – Young Professionals of NYC. Andrew resides in Manhattan with his wife Cecilie.

Andrew's Team, The Regent Group at Morgan Stanley, has been named Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams for 2024 and 2025.

Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Team: New York - NYC (High Net Worth)
2024, 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2024 & 2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.

Vik Parmar, CFA is committed to helping his clients navigate through both the expected and unexpected financial obstacles of life. By leveraging his deep technical experience and world class resources available at Morgan Stanley, he is able to deliver customized solutions to help build, preserve and manage wealth.

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, he held a position as a sell-side equity research analyst with a London based research firm covering the technology sector. He has multiple research pieces cited on Barron’s and Investopedia.

Vik earned his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA^®) charter. The CFA charter is a globally recognized professional designation given by the CFA Institute and considered one of the highest distinctions in the investment management profession.

Vik holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Penn State University. During his time there, he was selected as an All-American NCBA Collegiate Boxer and finished Runner-Up at NCBA Nationals.

In 2025, Vik was named to the Pacesetter's Club at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, an elite group composed of the firm's top Financial Advisors, for his consistent management services to clients.

Vik's Team, The Regent Group at Morgan Stanley, has been named Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams for 2024 and 2025.

Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Team: New York - NYC (High Net Worth)
2024, 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2024 & 2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.

Jake is a Registered Client Service Associate with The Regent Group. Jake’s focus is on performance reporting, investment analysis, and strategy implementation. He is solution oriented and precise in his analytical work.

Jake began his career in Morgan Stanley’s Corporate Treasury department helping to raise wholesale debt supporting the various business units across the organization before making the internal transition to Wealth Management. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 2021, where he received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business with an emphasis in Finance. He holds the Series 7, Series 63, Series 65, and Life & Health Insurance licenses.

Outside of work, Jake enjoys running marathons, competing in Ironman triathlons, and spending time with family, friends, and his dog.

Emily Stark is a Registered Private Wealth Associate with The Regent Group. She oversees the group’s service team with a focus on delivering a world-class client experience to our clients at every turn.

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2020 as a Margin Associate, Emily spent time at J.P. Morgan Private Bank working as a Client Service Associate. Her diverse background and knowledge across the Morgan Stanley platform allow her to be a key resource for our clients.

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Emily currently resides in Manhattan with her cat, Ronald. Emily received a dual bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Economics from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and holds the Series 7, Series 63, and Series 66 licenses. In her free time, she enjoys reading, Pilates, and spending time with friends.

Kelly Bensel is a Registered Private Wealth Analyst with The Regent Group at Morgan Stanley. Kelly supports client relationships through financial planning analysis. She is committed to helping our clients achieve their goals through a formalized process to assess cash flow, risk, and tax considerations.

Prior to joining the team in 2021, Kelly worked on the Investments & Investor Relations teams for a global investment firm, Atlas Merchant Capital, for eight years. In this capacity, she helped manage relationships with existing and prospective investors, as well as aided in fundraising efforts for Private Equity and Credit funds.

Kelly graduated from Rutgers University with a major in Political Science and a minor in Urban Planning & Public Policy and holds the Series 7 and Series 66 licenses. Originally from Bergen County, NJ, she now resides in Brooklyn, NY. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking, sports, and staying active.

Rachael Carter has been serving with Morgan Stanley for eight years and provides operational and service support. Her responsibilities include financial planning, managed account operations, opening new accounts, handling account transfers, foreign currency transactions, and credit line accounts.

Prior to working in the financial industry, she spent 6 years in customer service handling issues ranging from automotive repair scheduling to medical billing.

Rachael graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a BA in Spanish and Political Science. In addition, she has also earned her Series 7 and 66 licenses while working full time in Atlanta. She lives in Queens, NY with her husband and enjoys volunteering with local theater companies.

Vincent Plessel is a Registered Private Wealth Client Service Associate with The Regent Group. He collaborates closely across the team to address client’s operational needs. Vincent also supports the team’s marketing and events.

He has a strong background in digital marketing from his prior role in Morgan Stanley’s Virtual Engagement Associate Program. During his time in the program, Vincent helped implement client engagement strategies, optimize data analytics, and leverage modern Wealth Management tools to enhance practice management. Upon joining The Regent Group, Vincent obtained his Series 7, Series 63, and Series 65 licenses.

In July 2024, Vincent successfully passed the CFP^®* Exam, a key credential that demonstrates his knowledge across a broad range of financial planning disciplines, including retirement, tax, estate, and insurance planning strategies. This accomplishment highlights his commitment to comprehensive financial planning and positions him to deliver a higher level of service and advice to clients. He currently lives in Rutherford, New Jersey. Outside of work, Vincent enjoys fitness, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

*This role cannot solicit or provide investment advice.