About Us

Helping you achieve financial success is our first priority. Morgan Stanley has meaningful intelligence about every major asset class and a presence in every major market, as well as investment research from some of the world’s most respected analysts. Together, we will formulate a strategy to help you achieve your most important goals and then deliver a vast array of resources to you in the way that is most appropriate for how you invest and what you want to achieve.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

A Disciplined Investment process

We work closely with you to understand your needs while maintaining the focus and discipline necessary to help guide your portfolio through the most challenging market cycles.
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    Step 1: Set Your Financial Objectives
    We will help you develop an investment strategy that is based on your specific goals, time horizon, tolerance for risk and appetite for market volatility.
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    Step 2: Define an Investment Strategy
    We will recommend an asset allocation based on your financial objectives and overall investment strategy.
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    Step 3: Evaluate and Select Investments
    As the wealth management landscape grows more complex and investment choices multiply, we will select investments based on your needs, goals, and interests.
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    Step 4: Ongoing Review Process
    Once your strategy is implemented, our work together has only just begun. We will asses your investment performance and continue to adapt your strategy to changes in the market as well as changes in your professional and personal life.
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    Understand Your 401(k) Plan
    Many companies offer a 401(k) plan to help their employees save for retirement. This is a simple yet powerful retirement planning vehicle that can help you start investing early and efficiently.
    The Key Benefits of a 401(k) Plan
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    Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)
    Making annual contributions to an IRA is an important tactic when saving for retirement. We will help you map out your goals and determine which type of IRA is right for you.
    IRAs: Traditional vs. Roth
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    Retirement Mistakes to Avoid
    You've contributed to your 401(k), invested additional assets in an individual retirement account (IRA) or other accounts. Now, you’re finally on the verge of retiring. However, you may be surprised to learn that retirement planning does not end when you retire. We will help you avoid common pitfalls that could jeopardize your goals for retirement.
    5 Common Mistakes to Avoid
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    Planning for the Rising Costs of Healthcare
    Longer lifespans and rising health care costs are driving investors to control their financial exposure to uncovered bouts of care - particular in retirement. We will help you minimize your exposure to unwanted medical costs so you can afford your desired lifestyle.
    How to Prepare Yourself

Keeping You Informed

Not all advice is the same. Our advice is backed by advanced technology, exceptional insight, and institutional scale that can't be found just anywhere.
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    Thoughts On The Market Podcast
    With perspectives on the forces shaping the market, join Mike Wilson, Chief Investment Officer and Chief US Equity Strategist for Morgan Stanley, as he and his colleagues discuss a variety of viewpoints regarding the latest trends in the financial marketplace.
    Check Out The Latest Episode
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    Morgan Stanley Ideas Podcast
    The Morgan Stanley Ideas Podcast brings you revealing stories about the world of business, finance, technology and beyond.
    Check Out The Latest Episode
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    The Morgan Stanley Minute
    Explore our 1-minute investment insights videos in this on-going series from our firm’s leading thinkers. Discover current investment trends and topics like green bonds, active investment, monetizing small businesses, cybercrime and more.
    Click Here to View
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    Cybersecurity
    What does it mean to be cyber smart in a rapidly evolving digital age? How can we protect ourselves and our families online? Who are cyber criminals and how can we identify them?

    Morgan Stanley’s cybersecurity experts tackle these questions and more in our Cybersecurity Webinar Series. Learn about the basics and walk away from these sessions with actionable insights and best practices.
    View the Webinar Series on Demand

Modern Wealth Tools

Our goal is simple: “To be the firm where the most talented advisors in the industry leverage cutting-edge technology and deliver customized wealth management solutions to their clients and their families to enable them to achieve their life goals.” The Firm strives to ensure it serves clients on market-leading technology platforms that are resilient, safe, efficient, smart, fast and flexible.
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    Morgan Stanley Online
    Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) has a variety of digital features that help you keep track of your finances. They include mobile check deposit, paying your bills online, sending money through Zelle®, and accessing current market data, research, company profiles and quotes.
    MSO Video
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    Total Wealth View
    The ability to view all of your assets and liabilities together enables your financial advisors to strategize with your entire financial picture in mind. We've launched a tool that allows you to link information from your accounts at other financial institutions directly to your Morgan Stanley Online or Morgan Stanley Mobile App profile.
    Total Wealth View
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    eDelivery
    Morgan Stanley Online has a variety of features that can enhance your digital experience and provide a deeper level of security. One of those tools, eDelivery, allows you to securely save, print, send, and receive documents at any time from both Morgan Stanley Online and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App.
    Enroll in eDelivery
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    Digital Vault
    It's important to keep documents and financial records organized and readily available In the event of catastrophe or serious illness, disability or death. The Digital Vault on Morgan Stanley Online and the Mobile App allows you to have a centralized, shared document library with your financial advisors, stored using encryption.
    Digital Vault

Location

7500 Old Georgetown Rd
10th Fl
Bethesda, MD 20814
US
Direct:
(301) 657-6357(301) 657-6357
Toll-Free:
(800) 455-6622(800) 455-6622

Meet The SM Capital Group

About Kenneth H Shure

Kenny Shure has over 20 years of experience in Wealth Management. He has worked as a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley and its predecessor firms since the summer of 1998. Kenny has developed a successful practice covering individuals, families, and small businesses. He has been a Morgan Stanley Century Club Member since 2005.

The foundation of Kenny’s practice was started by his father, who worked as a financial advisor for 45 years and retired with Morgan Stanley in 2014. Kenny has tailored his business model to offer personalized attention that seeks to create a true relationship with his clients. He is passionate about all aspects of serving his clients from extensively researching investment options to suit their financial goals to educating clients on different investment products. Kenny is deeply invested in seeing his clients achieve financial success through all stages of their lives. Many of his clients have worked with him for decades, and their relationships have extended into multiple generations.

Prior to becoming a Financial Advisor, Kenny was an account manager for Advance Business Systems, where he enjoyed building relationships with individual and corporate clients. He graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree and currently resides in Potomac, MD, with his wife Jennifer, a writer and editor, and their four children. He volunteers extensively with Bethesda Lacrosse Association, serving as a board member and coach, and still loves to compete himself in lacrosse leagues and tournaments throughout the country.
Securities Agent: FL, DE, NY, MD, CT, CA, AZ, WY, TN, NH, WI, KY, DC, AR, SC, PA, NJ, MI, IN, MA, WV, OH, AL, WA, OR, CO, NC, VA, ME, GA, TX, IL; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1359245

About Alex Morales

Alex Morales has spent his entire 17 year career in Wealth Management with Morgan Stanley. He is a detail oriented advisor that takes a consultative approach towards helping his clients simplify their financial lives by aligning their wealth with their short-term objectives and long-term goals while leveraging the intellectual capital of Morgan Stanley. Alex maintains a disciplined process towards helping clients manage their wealth which makes communication, service, and quality advice his top priorities.

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Alex has completed extensive training that requires a high level of competency, ethics, and professionalism and reflects his knowledge of financial planning on behalf
of his clients. His technical knowledge covers the broad span of his client’s financial management needs, including investment management, estate planning strategies, retirement analysis, life insurance, tax minimization strategies and charitable giving. He has also earned the firm’s Financial Planning Specialist designation.

Alex holds a B.S. in Finance from the University of Maryland. Born in New York City, Alex spent his childhood in New York and his adult life in the Washington metropolitan area. He currently resides in Potomac, Maryland with his wife Samantha and their three children. Alex enjoys playing golf, snowboarding, mountain biking, and spending time with his family.
Securities Agent: AZ, ME, VA, NH, KY, FL, DE, AL, WY, MD, MA, CT, CO, WV, TN, NJ, IL, DC, AR, WA, TX, OH, NY, CA, SC, PA, OR, NC, GA, MI; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1282478

About Roberta Besen

Roberta graduated from Towson University with a degree in Communications. She started out in the customer service field right out of college. Prior to coming to Morgan Stanley, Roberta worked at Hewlett-Packard where she supported several Fortune 500 companies. She was recognized by Senior Management for providing “best in class” service to her customers. Roberta currently resides in Rockville, MD and in her free time she likes to travel and can usually be found working out at Soul Cycle.

The Power of Partnerships

By partnering with experienced individuals across wealth disciplines, Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors can align specialized resources with your custom needs and deliver strategic guidance through the familiarity and trust of existing relationships

About Maria Tashjian

Maria Tashjian is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in Maryland.

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.

Maria began her career in financial services in 2006, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2010. Prior to being promoted to Private Banker in 2021, Maria served as the Associate Private Banker supporting Wealth Management offices in Virginia.

Maria is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Master of Business Administration. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia with her family. Outside of the office, Maria enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering for local community organizations.
NMLS#: 1500388
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

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
Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse
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Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse

Financial planning after a divorce or death can be trying, but with the right approach and the right advice you can turn a difficult situation into empowerment.

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 SM Capital 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’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.

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

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2Morgan 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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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 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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4When 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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5Morgan 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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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:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.

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)