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.

I consider myself to be a conservative investor and believe proper asset allocation, diversification and patience are the keys to investment success. My enthusiasm, positive attitude and dedication are valuable attributes embraced by clients. At The Southwest Legacy Group at Morgan Stanley, we refer to our investment strategy as “goal oriented asset allocation” with an objective of preserving purchasing power. One of the primary purposes of investing is to help build wealth. I am committed to your investment success.

The Southwest Legacy Group works with business owners, individuals and families who are planning for or already enjoying retirement. We offer comprehensive financial advice to determine if you have the necessary financial resources to retire and more importantly help make sure that you do not run out of critical assets in retirement. In summary, we will develop and implement a properly diversified investment portfolio designed to help meet your financials goals and objectives, no matter what stage of life you are in.

Has your portfolio performed to your expectations? When is the last time you had an investment professional your investment holdings? Do you have investments in your portfolio that you do not fully understand? Perhaps it’s time to take advantage of our team and get a fresh perspective.

I currently reside in the southwest suburbs of Chicago with my wife, Crystal. We love traveling, cycling, craft beer and live music (especially Dave Matthews Band).



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.

After your immediate family, nobody cares more about your investment success than me. My involvement and interest in the financial services industry began at age 13 when I made my first investment in the stock market. I joined Morgan Stanley in 1984 and earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™* practitioner designation in 1990. I am very pleased to be working with my son, Kurt Lindemann, who will provide an ongoing legacy and succession for the team. Additionally, we are fortunate to have Aleka Lach, a 30+ year veteran and Senior Registered Client Service Associate with the L2 Group. At Morgan Stanley we have access to the expansive resources of a full-service financial firm to fulfill all your investment needs. For the past 12 years, 2012 thru 2023, I was recognized as a Five Star Professional Wealth Manager.

Initially, we will ask questions to help us both better understand your investment needs and goals. We will help determine if your current portfolio is properly structured to meet those objectives. We will review our investment philosophy, so you have a clear understanding of our asset allocation theme. Next, we will make specific recommendations and help you implement most of those ideas to achieve your objectives. Initial and ongoing communication helps us not only develop and formulate a comprehensive properly diversified investment plan, but we also keep you focused and on track to help meet those goals. Periodically and when appropriate, we make minor revisions or adjustments to your portfolio as your objectives change or as economic conditions warrant.

We focus on helping people who are transitioning to or already retired; build, manage, and most importantly, protect wealth. Assisting with your IRA rollover in preparation for your retirement is an area where we offer qualified guidance and knowledgeable advice. We help clients answer their primary concern: “Will I outlive my income, or will my income outlive me?”

After 38 years in Chicagoland, I currently reside in Prescott Valley, Arizona with my wife, Stephanie. We are very proud of our two sons', Kurt and K.C. Kurt and his wife, Crystal, live in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. K.C. is serving our country as an Officer in the United States Air Force. In our leisure, my wife and I enjoy touring the country on our Harley Davidson motorcycle.

The responsibilities of being a Portfolio Associate provide the opportunity to build personal relationships with our clients by ensuring a seamless and simplified transition when moving from the planning and investment decision making phase to the implementation phase. Efficient and accurate execution of operational requirements requires knowledge and consistency and, when coupled with excellent and timely communication, creates comfort and confidence in our relationships.  This fits my thirst for knowledge, desire to provide opportunity to others and intention to make a difference through my work.  Joining The Chicagoland Group has allowed me to utilize my over 30 years of industry knowledge and series 7, 63 and 66. I am bilingual and look forward to my annual trips to Greece.  In my spare time I enjoy gatherings with my family and friends whether it is at a local venue or just around my kitchen table.
direct: 708-226-5443
Email Aleka

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













Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC 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 visit us at http://www.morganstanleyindividual.com or consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences.

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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.