Our Story and Services

As your Financial Advisors, we can help you define and strive to meet your goals by delivering a vast array of resources to you in the way that is most appropriate for how you invest and what you want to achieve. Working together we can help you to preserve and grow your wealth. You’ll have access to some of the world’s most seasoned and respected investment professionals, a premier trading and execution platform and a full spectrum of investment choices.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Working With You

At Morgan Stanley, we believe that identifying financial solutions begins with a solid understanding of each client's situation, goals objectives and risk tolerance. We follow a disciplined process that allows us to work with you to craft a solution that helps meet your individual needs. This process aligns our efforts with your interests, providing a road map focused on what is most important to you.

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    1. Introductory Call

    We begin with an informal conversation to understand your financial concerns and determine how we can add value.

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    2. Discovery

    We continue the dialogue we started, learning about the values that shape your decisions and identifying any unique circumstances around your wealth. We review the documents you prepared and begin to define your priorities and timelines.

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    3. Analysis and Plan Development

    Here, we utilize comprehensive financial planning tools to develop a personalized and detailed financial plan with specific recommendations to help you grow and preserve your wealth. This serves as the foundation for building your initial plan, as well as future wealth management decisions.

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    4. Plan Presentation

    In this step, we will present your financial plan that includes an investment portfolio that aligns your investments with your goals, timeframe, and risk level. We also discuss other wealth management solutions that may include risk management techniques.

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    5. Implementation

    Upon your approval of our recommendations, we begin to implement the strategies outlines in the plan. Once assets have been transferred to Morgan Stanley and are aligned with your investment strategy, walk you through the details of your new statement and introduce all the tools and recourses available to you.

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    6. Monitoring & Performance Tracking

    Finally, we will be constantly monitoring your assets and analyzing your performance tracking data seeking to ensure your financial expectations are being met and adjusted accordingly. We will keep a high degree of communication with you to make sure your concerns and requests are always addressed.

Comprehensive Financial Planning

Regardless of what stage your life is in - moving ahead in your career, enjoying retirement, or somewhere in between - as your financial advisor, we can help you achieve your financial goals.

Using a suite of tools that include goal- specific analysis, we can work with you to create a realistic, holistic strategy that integrates the various aspects of your financial life, including your investments and cash management needs.

Having a plan in place allows you to adjust confidently, not react blindly, With a well structured plan, you gain more than just direction - you gain peace of mind.

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    Managing Investments

    We take care of your retirement accounts and other investments based on your comfort level with risk and your current tax circumstances, tailoring your financial strategy to your unique situation, needs, and goals.

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    Multi-generational Families

    We take care of your retirement accounts and other investments based on your comfort level with risk and your current tax circumstances, tailoring your financial strategy to your unique situation, needs, and goals.

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    Retirement

    Leading up to and through retirement, I help you identify the most appropriate ways to obtain the income you need and help ensure that you are on track to achieve for financial goals.

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    Spending and Budgeting Tool

    One way to manage savings is by using Morgan Stanley's Spending and Budgeting tool. These tools help advisors monitor client cash flows across both internal and external accounts. It also tracks spending patterns and produces an income and expense analysis to help clients achieve their goals by adjusting their spending behavior when necessary.

What To Expect

We study investment trends and leverage the global resources of Morgan Stanley to help you develop a personalized investment strategy.

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    Personalized Portfolios

    As Portfolio Managers, we can use our discretion to identify an investment strategy tailored to meet your needs.

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    Comprehensive Communication

    Throughout our relationship. You will have direct access to our team.

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    Client Focus

    Each account can be individually customized to meet your requirements for growth, income or preservation of capital within your risk constraints.

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    Asset-Based Fee

    Fees for the program are based on your acount's asset level, not on the number of transactions performed in a given time period.

Estate Planning Strategies to Help Protect Your Legacy

Preparing your estate and creating a lasting legacy is one of the most meaningful steps you can take for yourself and your loved ones. A thoughtful estate plan can help ensure your wishes are clearly documented, your assets are distributed according to your intentions, and your family is better prepared for the future.

At The Short Sharpe Group, we understand how important it is to have a plan in place for life's unexpected events. Our team is dedicated to providing personalized guidance and tailored wealth management support to help you think through your estate planning goals, preserve your assets, and build the legacy you want to leave behind.

Explore the estate planning concepts below, and contact us today with any questions about how these strategies may fit into your broader financial plan.

Wills
A properly prepared will is a foundational estate planning document that outlines how an individual wants certain assets and personal possessions distributed after death. A will may also name an executor to help carry out those wishes and can provide direction for important personal matters.
Because life circumstances can change, it is important to review your will periodically and update it as needed to reflect changes in family, assets, residence, or personal goals.

Trusts
A trust can be an effective estate planning tool for transferring assets, managing wealth, and providing for beneficiaries. Trusts typically involve three key parties:

  • The grantor, who creates and funds the trust
  • The trustee, who manages the trust according to its terms
  • The beneficiaries, who may receive income, assets, or other benefits from the trust Depending on your goals, a trust may help provide greater control over asset distribution, privacy, continuity, and planning flexibility.

Understanding Your Estate
Your estate includes everything you own or have an interest in, such as cash, real estate, personal property, investment accounts, stocks, bonds, business interests, and valuable collectibles. Understanding the full scope of your estate is an important first step in developing a plan that reflects your wishes and supports your family's long-term financial well-being.

Annual Gifting
Annual gifting can be a valuable strategy for individuals and families looking to transfer wealth over time. For 2025, two gifting limits may be relevant:

  • The annual gift tax exclusion, which allows an individual to gift up to $19,000 per recipient each year
  • The lifetime gift and estate tax exemption, which allows an individual to transfer up to $13.99 million over their lifetime, subject to applicable rules Gifting strategies can be complex and may have tax, legal, and financial planning implications. It is important to work with your tax and legal advisors to determine whether gifting is appropriate for your situation.

Start Planning Your Legacy Today
Estate planning is more than preparing documents — it is about protecting what matters most, providing clarity for your loved ones, and creating a legacy that reflects your values. The Short Sharpe Group can help you evaluate your goals and coordinate with your estate planning attorney and tax professionals as part of your broader wealth management strategy.

Contact The Short Sharpe Group today to learn more about estate planning strategies and how we can help you prepare for the future.

    Location

    8701 Bee Caves Rd
    Suite 300
    Austin, TX 78746
    US
    Direct:
    (512) 469-3411(512) 469-3411

    Meet The Short Sharpe Group

    About Me

    Neil Short is a Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager at Morgan Stanley, where he helps friends, families, and business owners pursue their financial goals and build lasting financial security. With a career in financial services that began in 1999, Neil brings decades of experience and a deep understanding of markets, portfolio management, asset allocation, and estate planning strategies to his client relationships.

    Neil’s interest in stocks, markets, and businesses began at a young age while he was still in high school. That early passion ultimately led him to a career where he could combine his enthusiasm for investing with a commitment to helping people make thoughtful financial decisions. He began his career at Charles Schwab on the active trader desk before joining Morgan Stanley in 2026.

    Neil’s approach centers on comprehensive financial planning, disciplined portfolio management, and long-term estate planning strategies. He believes financial decisions should be made with a client’s full financial picture in mind, and he takes pride in helping clients create, protect, and transfer wealth. Clients often value his personalized guidance, steady perspective, and focus on aligning investment and planning strategies with their goals, risk tolerance, and long-term legacy.

    Working alongside his partner, Jason Sharpe, Neil offers clients a well-rounded wealth management experience. Neil specializes in portfolio management, asset allocation, and estate planning strategies, while Jason focuses primarily on financial planning, annuities, and life insurance solutions. Having worked together for more than 18 years, they strive to deliver comprehensive advice and attentive service to the families and business owners they serve.

    Neil earned his degree in Finance from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska. Outside the office, he is actively involved in the Lake Travis community and serves as Treasurer for the Lake Travis Youth Association. He is passionate about supporting youth sports and the role they play in developing teamwork, leadership, and character in the next generation.

    Neil and his wife, Amanda, have two sons, Lincoln and Bentley. Much of their family life revolves around sports, coaching, attending games, playing cards, watching movies, sharing family dinners, and attending Sunday church—traditions that keep their family grounded and connected.
    Securities Agent: CT, CA, VA, NE, WA, UT, NJ, OH, MI, SC, MS, MN, FL, AR, MA, GA, CO, TX, NV, MD, KY, PA, NY, LA, TN, NC, MO, ID, DC; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative

    About Me

    Jason Sharpe is an Associate Vice President at Morgan Stanley, where he helps clients develop thoughtful, goals-based financial plans designed to support their families, protect long-term security, and address the many moving parts of their financial lives. His approach begins with understanding each client’s unique objectives—whether planning for retirement, preparing for business succession, funding education, supporting aging loved ones, or coordinating broader wealth management needs.

    Jason’s career in financial services began in 2006 at Chase Bank, where he discovered a passion for helping people navigate the complex world of banking and finance. Early in his career, he began working closely with Financial Advisor Neil Short, a professional relationship that has continued since 2007 across multiple firms. After moving with Neil to UBS in 2015, Jason and Neil joined Morgan Stanley in March 2026.

    Jason’s planning process is built around each client’s individual goals. He believes that a well-defined financial plan can help personalize the wealth management experience and provide a clear framework for decision-making. From there, Jason and his team integrate portfolio management with strategies involving insurance, lending, private banking, annuities, and estate planning, when appropriate.

    Working alongside Neil Short, Jason brings a complementary skill set to their client relationships. Jason focuses primarily on financial planning, life insurance and annuity solutions, lending, and private banking, while Neil’s areas of expertise include portfolio management, asset allocation, options, and estate planning strategies. Together, they strive to provide clients with attentive service and comprehensive guidance across many aspects of their financial lives.

    Jason earned his degree in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin. Outside the office, he and his fiancée, Lyndse, are building a blended family with their two sons, two dogs, and two cats. They care deeply about animal adoption and rescue causes. Jason also enjoys live music, cooking and grilling for family and friends, and cheering on the Houston Astros, Houston Texans, and Texas Longhorns.
    Securities Agent: CT, NC, TX, SC, KY, OH, NJ, MS, GA, DC, NY, LA, KS, FL, UT, NV, MN, AR, PA, CO, MA, DE, WA, VA, MD, ID, MI, CA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
    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
    A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup
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    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
    Iran Conflict: Seven Takeaways for Investors
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    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
    529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education
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    529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education

    Though education costs continue to climb, starting to save and invest early can make a difference.

    Business Planning

    Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
    • Succession Planning
    • Business Planning
    • Qualified Retirement Plans
    Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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    Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

    Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

    Philanthropy

    Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
    • Endowments
    • Foundations
    • Donor Advised Funds
    • Impact Investing
    Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving
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    Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving

    There's more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here's one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.
    Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Short Sharpe Group today.
    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.
    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.

    For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.

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    2When 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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    3Morgan 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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    4Morgan 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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    5Morgan 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.

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    6Morgan 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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    7Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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    8Annuities are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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    9Alternative 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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    10Morgan 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.

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    Awards Disclosures | Morgan Stanley
    CRC 4665150 (8/2025)