The Runkle Group at Morgan Stanley

With a financial services career that began in 1983, Bob brings a deep level of experience to the individual, corporate and institutional clients he serves. Barron’s magazine named Bob to its’ prestigious 2014 through 2021 and 2023-2024 list of Top 1,200 Financial Advisors, ranking him as the top financial advisor in Alabama for four of those years. From 2009 through 2013, Barron’s named Bob as one of its’ Top 1,000 Financial Advisors, being at the top of the list in Alabama for four of the five years. The Financial Times named Bob one of the Top 400 Financial Advisors in America for 2013, 2015 and 2020. Bob has also been recognized on the Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” for 2018 through 2021 as well as 2023 and most recently 2024. Lastly, Bob and the Runkle group were voted one of Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams for 2023 and 2024.

Bob is a Senior Portfolio Management Director, who in addition to providing traditional advice and guidance, can help clients pursue their objectives by building and managing his own personalized or defined strategies, which may incorporate individual stocks and bonds, Morgan Stanley model portfolios and third- party investment strategies. In addition, Bob holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA^®) designation, awarded by the Investments & Wealth Institute™.

A graduate of Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, Bob earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial design. His current board affiliations include the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and Central Alabama Red Cross, The Montgomery Museum of fine Arts. His past board affiliations include Saint James School, The Family Sunshine Center, and The Samaritan Counseling Center.

Bob and his wife Susan have three children: Mary, Robert and Katherine, as well as three grandchildren.

2014-2021, 2023 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 2014-2021) Data compiled by Barron's based on 12-month period concluding in Sept of the year prior to the issuance of the award.

2009-2013 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 2009-2013). Data compiled by Barron's based on 12-month period concluding in Sept of the year prior to the issuance of the award.

2018-2021, 2023, 2024 Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded April 2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC for the period 6/30/22 - 6/30/23.


2013, 2015, 2020 Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisors
Source: ft.com. Data compiled by the Financial Times based the following time periods:
Awarded 2020; data 6/30/16 - 6/30/19
Awarded 2015; data 9/30/13 - 9/30/14
Awarded 2013; data as of 12/31/12

2023, 2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams

Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023-2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based for the period from 3/31/22-3/31/23.

Robert began his financial services career in 2011. His primary team duties include preparing investment proposals, reviewing clients’ investment portfolios and facilitating client communication. With thoughtful and attentive service, Robert enjoys helping clients pursue their long-term wealth management goals.

Robert was named to Forbes “America’s Top Next Generation Wealth Advisors” list for 2017 and 2018. In 2019, Robert was named to Forbes “Best in State Top Next Generation Wealth Advisor’s” list. Also, Robert has been apart of back to back Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams (2023-2024) awarded to the Runkle Group.

Robert earned a bachelor’s degree in international business from the College of Charleston in South Carolina. Upon graduation, he traveled to Hamburg, Germany, where he completed an Internship with BDO AG in forensic accounting. Robert is a member of various community organizations, including the German American Cultural Foundation and the Alabama Germany Partnership. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, reading and traveling. Robert resides in Atlanta, Georgia.



2023, 2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams

Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023-2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based for the period from 3/31/22-3/31/23.

2017, 2018 Forbes America’s Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors & 2019 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 Weath Advisors)
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2017-2019). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month period concluding in Mar of the year the award was issued.

Mary is the newest financial advisor on The Runkle Group team. Mary has worked as an attorney who practiced in the securities industry as well as medical malpractice defense.

Mary earned her bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University in 2005. After college, Mary continued her studies at Vanderbilt University Law School where she earned her juris doctor in 2008. Upon graduation from law school, Mary was an attorney at Shearman & Sterling LLP in New York City. In 2011, she returned to Atlanta, Georgia joining Smith, Gambrell and Russell LLP. She later moved to Augusta, Georgia joining the law firm Hull Barrett, PC (not-practicing at Morgan Stanley) while her husband Jeff completed his Orthopedic residency.

Mary and Jeff reside in Suwanee, Georgia with their two young children, Caroline and Franklin. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and painting.



2023, 2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams

Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023-2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based for the period from 3/31/22-3/31/23.

Lori is a Portfolio Associate at Morgan Stanley based out of Columbus, Georgia. She started her financial career in 1999 as a Sales Assistant, with a brief position in management. She holds her Series 7, 63, 66, 9 and 10 licenses. Lori excels in client engagement and administration, bringing the breadth of her years of experience and knowledge to the team.

Lori earned a bachelor’s degree in management from the University of North Alabama in her hometown of Florence, Alabama. She and her husband Cliff live on Lake Jordan in Titus, Alabama with their fur baby Petie. Lori enjoys movies, cooking, entertaining and boating.

Christine began her financial services career in 1995 and approaches client service with the goal of
exceeding expectations. Resourceful and personable, she focuses on account administration and client
relations, and addresses the many elements of client service. Christine is also responsible for providing
administrative support and account maintenance, particularly for institutional clients.
She and her husband, Robert, have two children, Dalton and Elizabeth, and make their home in
Montgomery, Alabama.

With high energy and efficiency, Beth handles a variety of tasks including coordinating the team’s marketing efforts, preparing clients’ quarterly reports and assisting with other day-to-day client needs. She is also the friendly voice on the phone that helps answer client questions and resolve concerns.

Beth earned both a bachelor’s degree in corporate finance and investment management, and a master’s degree in tax accounting from the University of Alabama. She is a member of the Alabama Society of CPA’s, but she does not provide tax advice in her role at Morgan Stanley. She and her husband, Patrick, have two daughters and reside in Montgomery, Alabama.









Morgan Stanley and its Financial Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should seek advice based on their particular circumstances from an independent tax or legal advisor.