Welcome

At the Scheck/Lewis/McKown group, we strive to be the comprehensive destination for all your financial needs. From creating customized model portfolios to meeting your financial goals, our team is positioned to help you manage uncertainty during times of market volatility. As your advisors, we are able to deliver solution-based advice grounded on the most up-to-date information from the extensive team of resources offered through Morgan Stanley. Our team utilizes a generational approach to building client relationships in order to accommodate each life stage, from starting a family to preparing and transitioning for retirement. With our team, you will receive hands on advice and support to help you feel more confident in approaching the unpredictable events life may bring. We look forward working with you to combine all these elements and become the comprehensive financial destination to help you accomplish everything you wish to achieve.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Community Involvement

The team at the Scheck/Lewis/McKown group is continually striving to give back to the community. As a result, our advisors have become active advocates and members of a variety of organizations in the community. A few of these charitable organizations are described below.

As an avid supporter of enhancing the local community, John Scheck serves as an active board member of several organizations in the Winter Haven area including the Humane Society, the Women’s Resource Center, and the Haley Center of First Baptist Church in Winter Haven, FL. John also serves as a volunteer for the Fore the Love golf and tennis tournament which supports the Winter Haven Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Winter Haven Hospital Patients.

As co-founder of the Lewis Family Cancer Fund (LFCF), Josh Lewis has helped create awareness and raised funding for both cancer research and care for cancer patients in Polk County and across the state. Some of the organizations LFCF has assisted are the Winter Haven Hospital Cassidy Cancer Center, Winter Haven Hospital Foundation, the Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Good Shepherd Hospice, the Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center, and the Inheritance of Hope.

Location

250 Third Street NW
Suite 100
Winter Haven, FL 33881
US
Direct:
(863) 401-9449(863) 401-9449
Toll-Free:
(800) 841-3956(800) 841-3956

Meet The Scheck Lewis McKown Group

About John Scheck

As a respected member of the financial industry, John has dedicated his professional life to providing the highest level of service to clients. In order to best prepare him for a career as a financial advisor, John attended Sacramento State University and graduated with a dual major earning a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. After graduation, John sought to further his education at Pennsylvania State University, where he earned a Master of Business Administration. Following graduation, John joined Merrill Lynch as a financial consultant. After 11 years with Merrill Lynch and building up his client base to over two hundred million dollars in assets, John joined Morgan Stanley in 2001 & is the lead partner with the Scheck Lewis McKown group. John’s focus for clients involves tax efficient investment strategies for high net worth individuals and asset allocation models for both individuals and retirement plans.

In the community, John has served on boards for a variety of philanthropic organizations. John serves as an active board member for the Humane Society, the Women’s Resource Center, and the Haley Center of First Baptist Church in Winter Haven.

Outside of the office, John enjoys spending time with his wife, Tracy, and two grown children, Reagan and JW, playing tennis, road biking, and traveling.
Securities Agent: HI, AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VI, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1278830

About Joshua Lewis

As a Winter Haven native, Josh has seen the area develop over the years into the thriving community it has become.  In his earlier years, Josh demonstrated high levels of scholarship and dedication through his participation in Boy Scouts, ultimately earning the highest honor in this organization as an Eagle Scout. Josh utilized the determination and work ethic he learned as an Eagle Scout at Florida State University where he pursued a dual major earning a Bachelor of Science in both Finance and Marketing.  As a financial advisor, Josh’s main focus involves the areas of client relationship management, retirement planning, college planning, asset allocation, and liability management. Josh is a partner with the Scheck Lewis McKown group; he joined the firm in 2000.

Josh is also actively involved in the community as the Co-Founder of the Lewis Family Cancer fund. In his free time, Josh enjoys boating on the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, hunting, barbecuing, and spending time with friends.
Securities Agent: NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, MA, WY, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1297712

About Clayton W. McKown

Clay was born and raised in Central Florida and graduated from the University of South Florida earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. While at USF, he was selected for an international internship with the Foreign Commercial Service in the US Embassy in Dublin, Ireland. Clay furthered his education by graduating from the University of Central Florida’s Certified Financial Planner program and subsequently meeting all requirements established by the CFP® Board to hold the CFP® designation.

Clay has been actively advising clients since becoming licensed in 2008 and he is now registered in over thirty states. As a financial advisor, Clay goes beyond focusing on traditional wealth management by providing creative strategies for both asset and liability management. Moreover, he works with clients’ tax and legal advisors to provide solutions that are comprehensive and personalized.

Clay gives back to his community and has volunteered for several non-profit organizations over the years. Currently, he works with the Lewis Family Cancer Fund. Clay and his wife, Katie, love spending their time together outdoors. Their favorite activities include hiking, snow skiing, offshore fishing, and boat rides on the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes. Clay also has a passion for the game of golf. He is a member of the Country Club of Winter Haven where he plays regularly with clients, friends, and family.
Securities Agent: AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WY, AZ, AL; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1951660

About Ashley Adkinson

Ashley is a native to Central Florida and joined the Scheck Lewis McKown Group in 2007 after graduating from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Finance and a minor in real estate. She was promoted to Vice President in January 2022 and currently holds her Series 7 and Series 66 Licenses. Ashley and her husband together are raising two wonderful sons, and she is actively involved with the boys' school and baseball programs. She is a sustainer member for the Junior League of Greater Winter Haven and has previously served on the board for both the Junior League and her son’s baseball league.

Focus: Client Service, Financial Planning, College Planning, Lending Solutions, Office/Administration Procedures, Quality Control

About April Wheeler

April’s career in the financial services industry began in 2002 after graduating magna cum laude from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL. In April 2002 she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Business & Marketing, with a minor in Spanish. She worked with the Scheck group in Winter Haven, FL from 2004 – 2008 before relocating to the Northeast. She rejoined the Scheck Lewis McKown group in September 2021. April maintains her Series 7, 66 & 31 licenses. April is a former professional water skier and traveled the world including 6 continents for the sport. In her time away from the office, her passion is her children & family and spending quality time together, preferably on the water! She also volunteers for the Lewis Family Cancer Fund annual golf tournament held locally each year.

Focus: Relationship Management, Client Service, Administration, Retirement Planning

About Kristin Reese

Kristin Reese joined the Scheck Lewis McKown group in January 2019 as a Client Service Associate. She has been working in the industry since 2012. Kristin graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Business Management in 2009. She currently has a Series 7 license and is working to obtain her Series 66 license. Kristin focuses on high level administrative and customer service.
Kristin is a lifelong resident of the Winter Haven area and resides there with her husband & son. Her passion is her family and making the best of every moment that they have together.

Focus: Client Service, Annuities and Insurance, Retirement Planning

About Maricelis Plain

Maricelis began her financial industry career as a Branch Administrator at the Smith Barney branch in Puerto Rico in 1999 after graduating from the University of Puerto Rico with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. In 2008, she was recruited by Morgan Stanley as a Senior Client Service Associate in Tampa which led to her subsequent recruitment by the team in the Winter Haven branch in May 2014. Within the Scheck Lewis McKown group, she continues to deliver high level service to our clients, focusing on deceased accounts processing, managing client account maintenance and building upon existing relationships. Maricelis is also fluent in Spanish.
In her spare time, she enjoys riding her motorcycle and spending time with family and friends.

Focus: Client Service, Administration, Deceased Account Processing

About Kim Norman

Kim was born and raised in South Florida and moved to Winter Haven, Florida in 2000. She graduated from Florida International University in Miami, Florida in 1986 with a Bachelor’s degree in Management and joined the Scheck Lewis McKown group in 2018 as a Client Service Associate. Kim enjoys spending time with her family and traveling whenever possible. She enjoys the outdoors and anything near the water or a mountain.

Focus: Client Service, Office procedures and Administration
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

Retirement

Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
  • 401(k) Rollovers
  • IRA Plans
  • Retirement income strategies
  • Retirement plan participants
  • Annuities
4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
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4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

Investing

Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
  • Asset Management
  • Wealth Planning
  • Traditional Investments
  • Alternative Investments
  • Impact Investing
2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
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2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

Family

Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
  • Estate Planning Strategies
  • 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Trust Services
Are You Prepared for Tax Day?
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Are You Prepared for Tax Day?

The countdown to Tax Day has begun. Here are some strategies to consider as the deadline approaches.

Financial Wellness

Enhancing Financial Wellness enables your workforce to do their best work. Companies that invest in financial wellness have an opportunity to:
  • Reduce employee stress,
  • Improve retention and engagement, and
  • Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce
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The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce

In the face of turbulent markets, the word “resilience” may be top of mind. Broadly speaking, resilience is the ability to “bounce back” when encountering life’s inevitable challenges.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Scheck Lewis McKown Group today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

1Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.

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2Morgan Stanley’s investment advisory programs may require a minimum asset level and, depending on your specific investment objectives and financial position, may not be appropriate for you. Please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC program disclosure brochure (the “Morgan Stanley ADV”) for more information in the investment advisory programs available. The Morgan Stanley ADV is available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV.

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3When 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 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.

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4Morgan 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.

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5Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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6Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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7Investors should consider many factors before deciding which 529 plan is appropriate. Some of these factors include: the Plan’s investment options and the historical investment performance of these options, the Plan’s flexibility and features, the reputation and expertise of the Plan’s investment manager, Plan contribution limits and the federal and state tax benefits associated with an investment in the Plan. Some states, for example, offer favorable tax treatment and other benefits to their residents only if they invest in the state’s own Qualified Tuition Program. Investors should determine their home state’s tax treatment of 529 plans when considering whether to choose an in-state or out-of-state plan. Investors should consult with their tax or legal advisor before investing in any 529 Plan or contact their state tax division for more information. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not provide tax and/or legal advice. Investors should review a Program Disclosure Statement, which contains more information on investment options, risk factors, fees and expenses and possible tax consequences.

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8Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or 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 legal matters.

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9Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.

Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

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Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.

Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
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The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.

The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.

*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney.  The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.

Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)