The Southwest Legacy Group at Morgan Stanley

Biography 
I have been a Wealth Advisor with Morgan Stanley for over 20 years and co-founder of The Chicagoland Group. As a team, we are all driven to make a difference in the lives of our clients and the communities in which we live.  I manage the investment strategy for the team and continually work closely with new and existing clients to solve their complex financial scenarios.  Our approach is simple – analyze options to distinguish the most appropriate course of action that can lead to the desired solution.  These are explained in an easily understood manner. I believe in investing in a way that aligns with one’s personal values.  Believing that every dollar invested can make a positive impact; I develop investment strategies that allow investors to focus on what is important to them and invest in ways that can contribute to their personal vision of an ideal world.  My team and I strive to make a difference in our clients’ lives by engaging people of all ages in basic financial literacy concepts.  I truly enjoy the personal side of our business – problem solving, translating the complicated to something more understandable and helping make family financial decisions.

I received my BA in Economics from Eastern Illinois University and Morgan Stanley Advanced Studies with the College for Financial Planning.  I am Series 3, 7, 31, 63, 65 and 66 registered and licensed in life, health, variable annuity, and long term care.

In addition to contributing locally to our public schools, service leagues, and children’s museum I am a member of the Family Advisor Alliance with Advocate Hospital. This allows me the opportunity to be a part of a collaborative partnership for families and Advocate Children’s Hospital associates to promote the delivery of patient and family-centered health care.  

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my beautiful wife Melissa and our four young adult children, dirt bike riding, playing golf and attending classic cars exhibits.

While attending the University of Notre Dame to study Finance, I enjoyed playing the game I love-Football-under the legendary coach Lou Holtz. Unfortunately, an injury abruptly ended my playing career and my dreams of playing in the NFL. During this challenging time, I learned some of life’s most valuable lessons: overcoming adversity, always doing your best, and being a team player.

After graduating from Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, I applied the valuable life lessons I learned to my careers in Finance and Sales. In 2017, I joined Morgan Stanley, where I dedicated myself to addressing clients’ individual situations and tailored recommendations for their financial, retirement, tax strategy, and estate planning needs. My focus on personalized service has allows me to build strong relationships with my clients and effectively help them achieve their financial goals.

As a Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC^®), Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA^®), and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA^®), I focus on addressing the unique financial and planning needs of high-net-worth-clients and business owners, along with their families. My diverse experience allows me to provide tailored solutions and strategies that are designed to not only help protect assets but also ensure a smooth transition during life’s changes. If you’re looking for skilled guidance to navigate complex financial landscapes, I invite you to connect with me to explore how I can help you achieve your goals.

My motto – teamwork makes the dream work. I am part of The Southwest Legacy Group where we work together to have our clients’ dreams become a reality.

I'm happily married to my lovely wife Tracey who's a paraprofessional teaching students with special needs at a local high school. Together we have an amazing blended family of six children, one grandchild and two Shih Tzus dogs. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family, working out and traveling.

Ryan began his career with the Morgan Stanley as a Financial Advisor in 2002. Ryan’s areas of focus include financial planning, risk management, insurance services, wealth transfer strategies and portfolio planning and implementation. He helps his clients make well-informed decisions and maintain the discipline they need to navigate through the most challenging markets. Ryan believes that a good plan, implemented with discipline, consistency, and commitment are the key to successful investing.

Ryan earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from The University of Illinois at Chicago. His CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner accreditation reflects his knowledge, skills and ethical standards. He holds his Series 7, 31, and 66 licenses as well as the State of Illinois Insurance Licenses.

In his spare time, Ryan enjoys staying active by cycling, running, boating and water-sports, snowboarding, and spending time with his family. Ryan lives in New Lenox, IL with his wife Amanda and their 3 children.

Kurt Lindemann is a seasoned financial advisor with a steadfast commitment to helping individuals, families, and business owners navigate their financial future with confidence. As a key member of the Southwest Legacy Group, Kurt applies a disciplined, risk-adjusted investment strategy focused on goal-oriented asset allocation to help preserve and grow wealth through every stage of retirement.
With a background rooted in conservative investment principles, Kurt believes success comes from a balanced approach that combines proper asset allocation, diversification, and patience. His dedication, enthusiasm, and straightforward communication style have made him a dedicated financial advisor to his clients seeking both clarity and confidence in their retirement planning.
Kurt and his team focus in building personalized financial plans that align with each client’s unique goals and lifestyle needs. Whether preparing for retirement, managing an IRA rollover, or assessing income longevity, Kurt provides practical guidance to help answer critical questions like: “Will I outlive my income, or will my income outlive me?”
Southwest Legacy Group takes pride in offering comprehensive, proactive advice—seeking to ensure that investment portfolios remain aligned with evolving goals and market conditions. Through ongoing communication and measurable strategies, Kurt seeks to empower clients to stay focused and on track, making thoughtful adjustments when necessary to potentially enhance returns and manage risks.
Outside the office, Kurt lives in the southwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife, Crystal, and their two adventurous kittens. He enjoys traveling, cycling, craft beer, and live music—interests that reflect his balanced, grounded approach to both life and finance.



Asset allocation and diversification do not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining financial markets.

Jim has unique experience as a former institutional bond trader and here at Morgan Stanley as a Portfolio Manager* creates and implements risk based portfolios for clients with a focus on retirement. This varied background enables Jim to develop customized investment strategies for clients with a unique focus on their future financial independence in retirement.
Jim received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Illinois, his Juris Doctor from Chicago Kent College of Law and his Master of Science in Finance from Lewis University. Jim is an avid reader of Military History and Economics. He and his wife Carey love to travel and enjoy nights out at the theater. They live in Chicago, IL.

With over 33 years’ experience in the financial services industry, Alexandria “Aleka” Lach is a cornerstone of the Southwest Legacy Group. As our Portfolio Associate, Aleka plays a critical role in delivering a seamless, supportive, and efficient client experience. Her experience spans all aspects of client service—from opening and maintaining accounts to managing IRA distributions, fund withdrawals, and estate transitions.
Aleka is a licensed Portfolio Associate (Series 7, 63, and 66), enabling her to accept unsolicited trade instructions and navigate complex operational tasks with precision and care. She’s particularly skilled in processing trust documents and facilitating estate transfers, providing clients with confidence during pivotal moments.
Known for her proactive communication style and approachable demeanor, Aleka builds strong, personal relationships that bridge the gap between planning and implementation. Her consistent and timely follow-through helps ensure that each client receives accurate support tailored to their unique goals, helping to instill both confidence and trust in our process.
Fluent in both English and Greek, Aleka brings cultural richness and a global perspective to our team. She lives locally and enjoys spending time with her family and friends—often gathered around the kitchen table or sharing stories from her annual trips to Greece.

Kristen serves as the Business Development Director for The Southwest Legacy Group at Morgan Stanley. Her career with Morgan Stanley began in 2005, and she has held various roles which have helped advance her skills and knowledge in wealth management. Prior to joining the team, Kristen was the Business Service Officer for the Orland Park Morgan Stanley branch where she managed Operations and Service for the office.

In her role as Business Development Director, Kristen is responsible for analyzing and coordinating the team's business operations while optimizing client engagement practices. She also assists with financial planning and investment strategies to support our clients' current and future wealth management objectives.

Kristen is an Iowa native and graduated from the University of Iowa. After college, Kristen moved to Chicago where she began her career in financial services. Kristen and her husband, John, reside in Frankfort, IL, with their two daughters, Kennedy, Madison and their beloved dog Charlie.

*Disclaimer: This role cannot solicit or provide investment advice

Christina is an accomplished, disciplined professional with over 13 years of dedicated experience in the financial services industry. As a recent Client Service Associate, Christina is focused on building strong relationships and understanding client goals, to provide tailored solutions that meet the diverse needs of clients. Her commitment to fostering positive meaningful client experiences has made her a valued asset within the firm.

Prior to her role as a Client Service Associate, Christina served as a Branch Administrator at Morgan Stanley. In this capacity, she demonstrated exceptional organizational and leadership skills, managing various operational functions that contributed to the overall efficiency of the branch. Her ability to navigate complex situations and her keen attention to detail ensured that all processes ran smoothly. Throughout her tenure, Christina has consistently exemplified a strong work ethic.

Outside of her professional life, Christina enjoys evening walks with her two yorkie dogs, traveling with her husband, shopping, and gardening.