

The Saltwater Group at Morgan Stanley

Our Mission Statement
Our Story & Services
Founded in 2016, The Saltwater Group at Morgan Stanley offers highly experienced Financial Advisors with a comprehensive breadth of knowledge to serve the distinguished needs and goals of our diverse clientele.
We focus on building long-term, life-enhancing relationships. While we deliver our services with an exceptional level of professionalism, our clients feel like they're family to us. Taking care of others is our passion.
The Saltwater Group is founded on these four pillars:
- Trust: Being the team clients can depend upon to guide them through every type of market cycle.
- Competence: Skillfully and diligently performing our responsibilities to clients.
- Accountability: Consistently following through on what we say we'll do every single day.
- Communication: Emphasizing transparent, honest, ongoing conversations with clients about their plan, market conditions or other factors that could impact their financial well-being.
Clients We Serve
Multi-generational families: We take pride in being faithful stewards of your family's wealth through each generation. This includes investing assets, managing risk, transferring wealth, maximizing philanthropic impact, facilitating family discussions and educating younger generations regarding wealth. By essentially acting as the chief financial officer of your family, we strive to give you the freedom to focus on what matters most to you.
Pre-retirees/retirees: Navigating the years immediately before retirement on your own is difficult with many factors to consider—including some you may not even know about. We'll thoroughly discuss your options so you can make well-informed decisions about your future. These conversations are especially valuable for those who've accumulated substantial wealth during their careers, such as doctors, attorneys, corporate executives and other high-income professionals. If you're retired, we'll help maximize your assets and guard against potential dangers to your financial well-being so you can better enjoy your golden years.
High net worth/ultra high net worth individuals: No matter the stage of your life, we're adept at managing the complexities of significant wealth. We'll develop a tailored plan to grow, preserve or distribute your wealth that aligns with your needs, concerns and aspirations.
Business owners/entrepreneurs: From cash management needs to liability concerns to succession planning to retirement preparation, we'll connect the components of your financial life with an overall strategy designed to put you on the path you envision.
Real estate developers/investors: Whether you're a commercial or residential real estate developer, we can consult with you about tax-efficient egress strategies, lending or liquidity considerations, succession planning and other challenges you face in the ever-changing real estate market.
- Wealth ManagementFootnote1
- Professional Portfolio ManagementFootnote2
- Financial PlanningFootnote3
- Retirement PlanningFootnote4
- Estate Planning StrategiesFootnote5
- Business Succession PlanningFootnote6
- Planning for Education FundingFootnote7
- Philanthropic ManagementFootnote8
- Donor Advised Funds
- Trust ServicesFootnote9
- Alternative InvestmentsFootnote10
- Cash Management and Lending ProductsFootnote11
Our Process

The Saltwater Group takes a comprehensive approach to wealth management—and it all begins with our thorough five-step process.
- Introductory call: We begin with an informal conversation to understand your financial concerns, and determine how we can add value. If we all agree to move forward, we'll schedule our next meeting and request important financial information.
- Information-gathering meeting: We'll continue the dialogue by fostering an in-depth discussion where we learn about the values that shape your decisions, identify any unique circumstances and define your priorities.
- Analysis and plan development: We utilize proprietary financial planning tools to develop a customized plan with recommendations to help you grow, preserve and transfer your wealth.
- Implementation: We present appropriate strategies designed to work together to achieve your goals. Additionally, we'll open new accounts for you at Morgan Stanley, and initiate our investment recommendations. We'll also begin to implement other initiatives we've discussed— which might include tax management, risk management and estate planning strategies.
- Ongoing service: We focus on building long-term, meaningful relationships. As part of this, we'll proactively touch base every six months with you or as often as you prefer. Markets and personal situations evolve over time, and we want to help keep your plan on track.
Also, we're happy to consult with your other dedicated advisors—such as a CPA or estate attorney—to help ensure all components of your financial world are synergistically working in harmony for you, and perhaps identify any gaps in your coverage. Doing so may also relieve you of the burden of communicating any changes to each professional. If you need a CPA or estate attorney, we can recommend some options for you. All of this is part of our commitment to building a relationship that's enriching for you.
For more detailed information about what's covered during our process, please refer to the chart above or contact us with any questions.
Our Philosophy
At the Saltwater Group, we believe transparency and education are foundational to building client relationships that last through market cycles, economic shifts and life events.
In terms of transparency, we believe you should know what you own with your investments—and we keep things as simple as possible for you. By demystifying portfolios, we've found it helps clients feel more confident about their financial future because they understand their holdings. This can be especially beneficial when things become difficult in the economic world or even their personal lives.
Education plays a pivotal role, too. We teach our clients about investments, market swings, monetary policies and related matters to prepare them for every financial situation we can envision. This type of tactical planning reduces the likelihood you'll be surprised or alarmed by any developments. You'll learn that what might seem new or unusual with the markets is really just normal over the course of time. Again, this can be reassuring. We've often noticed how calm our clients tend to stay even in the most turbulent markets—and we believe our emphasis on client education and preparation contributes to this.
While it's impossible to predict market movements on a day-to-day basis, we want our clients to feel confident we have a plan in place to manage whatever happens with the markets.
Location
Meet The Saltwater Group
About Stephen Roop
Stephen is one of the original founders and managing partner of The Saltwater Group. In his role as Portfolio Management Director, he manages the investment strategy, alternative investments, and risk management strategies for The Saltwater Group.
Stephen helps successful business owners, individuals, families, real estate developers, corporate executives, philanthropic organizations and other clients navigate the ever-changing financial landscape. His performance has been recognized through numerous awards, including being named to the Morgan Stanley Pacesetter’s Club and Morgan Stanley Century Club.
Before entering the financial services industry, Stephen served in the United States Marine Corps for six years. He joined the Marine Corp largely because of his long-time dedication to protecting others and being a leader. After retiring from the Marine Corp, Stephen became a Financial Advisor so he could continue his passion for helping individuals in a genuine, impactful capacity.
He began his career in financial services in 2012 with Morgan Stanley, and he’s been with the Firm ever since. Stephen’s military experience of leading others in difficult situations enabled him to become a better Financial Advisor—especially when guiding clients through rough market environments and economic cycles.
Stephen enjoys relating to clients on individual basis, and getting to know them. Many of his long-term clients feel like they’re family to him. Stephen emphasizes direct, transparent conversations, and wants clients to know he’s someone who will be there for both the good moments and challenging times of their lives.
He graduated from the University of Hartford in Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in Finance & Economics. During college, Stephen played for the men’s lacrosse team in the American East Conference, and served as a team captain for two years.
Stephen lives in Auburn with his wife, Sarah, and their three children.
Securities Agent: DE, FL, WY, WA, VT, VA, TX, TN, SC, RI, PA, OR, OK, OH, NY, NJ, NH, NC, MT, MI, ME, MD, MA, IL, GA, AK, AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1407637
NMLS#: 1407637
About Griffin Gribbel
Griffin handles the discovery and financial planning process, insurance services, lending, and cash management solutions for the Saltwater Group. Griffin helps clients identify and achieve their goals by providing a structured roadmap for their financial lives while navigating them through all facets of the planning process. He’s a high-achieving professional who’s been named to the Morgan Stanley Pacesetter’s Club five consecutive years.
Griffin’s greatest sense of joy and accomplishment as a Financial Advisor comes from serving his clients—a commitment that goes beyond simply being helpful. He enjoys having the unique opportunity to quantifiably impact their lives in a positive manner. He’s honored to act as a confidant to clients who feel safe discussing a variety of important issues with him ranging from finances to family to heath and the future.
Before joining Morgan Stanley in 2018, Griffin worked for several years at Fidelity Investments and UBS Wealth Management. He graduated from Saint Lawrence University with a bachelor’s degree in Government.
Griffin lives in York Harbor with his wife, Lindsay.
NMLS#: 1864194
About Joni Vickery
Portfolio Associate
Financial Planning Associate
A skilled and qualified professional with Morgan Stanley since 1998, Joni is licensed and strives to deliver the highest level of service possible to the clients, while helping them achieve their goals.
A life-long resident of Maine, Joni graduated from Thomas College with both Business Management and Travel and Tourism degrees. She, along with daughter, Haley, live in Gorham, Maine. Joni enjoys spending her free time exercising, running in 5Ks and supporting many animal welfare organizations throughout her community.
Joni handles account opening, maintenance, service and administration issues for our clientele.

Contact Stephen Roop

Contact Griffin Gribbel
The Power of Partnerships
About Trent Blossom
Trent began his career in financial services in 2012 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2022. Prior to his current position, he served as a Wealth Advisor at a registered investment advisor in Maine and worked in a variety of roles at MFS Investment Management in Boston, MA.
Trent graduated from Bowdoin College with a degree in Economics. He completed the College for Financial Planning education program and is a CFP® practitioner. Trent earned his Certified Investment Management Analyst® designation through the Investments and Wealth InstituteTM in conjunction with the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania. Trent resides in Kennebunk, ME with his wife, Emily, and two sons.
About Chris Smith
Prior to joining Morgan Stanley (Dean Witter), Chris worked in the Retirement Plans department of Prudential Securities and prior to that the District Agency department of Prudential Insurance Company. Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication/Journalism and Psychology from St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY. He lives in Saratoga Springs, NY with his wife Sharon and two boys, Ryan and Michael and has a passion for golf, skiing and horse racing.
About Christian Catricala
Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.
Christian began his career in financial services in 2015, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2016 as a Rotational Analyst supporting a variety of divisions in Wealth Management. Prior to being promoted to his current role, he was an Associate Private Banker supporting Wealth Management offices in Boston, Massachusetts.
Christian is a graduate of the Merrimack College, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Marketing. He lives in Melrose, Massachusetts with his wife. Outside of the office, Christian enjoys cooking, biking, and traveling.
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7When 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 always check with their tax or legal advisor before engaging in any transaction involving 529 Plans, Education Savings Accounts and other tax-advantaged investments.
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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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
9Morgan 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.
10Alternative 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.
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