Why Us

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 to preserve and grow 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

As your dedicated wealth management team, our role is to tailor a personalized financial strategy which fits your needs. In our experience working with clients, we have developed a step-by-step approach to service.
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    Discovery Process
    We take the time to fully understand you and your family - whether you're planning for retirement, purchasing a home, or living out your golden years - we consider various challenges, goals, and aspirations when building your financial picture.
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    Forming Your Strategy
    Using your life goals as our compass, we create a risk-balanced strategy which maps a clear path to helping achieve your success.
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    Implementing Your Plan
    We apply extensive research and analysis, and also utilize Morgan Stanley's full suite of resources, to help ensure swift decisive action in various market scenarios.
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    Measuring Your Success
    We check in with you to deliver metrics around your portfolio, and ultimately measure trajectory towards your goals. Our ultimate mission is your success and well-being.

Are You Prepared For All Aspects of Retirement?

We have been helping clients to not only achieve the retirement of their dreams but also maintain their desired lifestyle and purpose, throughout their entire retirement. There is no better feeling than watching clients maintain or even improve their lifestyle after retiring, many people have the notion that all their work is done once they reach the destination of retirement. Our goal is to help plan, prepare, and execute your financial plan for retirement and all of the wonderful years that follow. Below are important questions and concerns that everyone should be aware of when planning for retirement. Please reach out with any questions.
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    Retirement Mistakes to Avoid
    How you plan your finances in retirement may be just as important as the process of saving for retirement. Here are some key considerations.
    Five Retirement Mistakes to Avoid
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    Why Your Home Can be a Retirement Asset
    If you’re willing to consider drawing down home equity—either by selling your home or borrowing against its value—it can dramatically change your retirement outlook.
    Post-Retirement Success
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    Retirement and Your Portfolio
    Retirement is an exciting part of your life. This article explains why having a strategy for retirement is essential. I am focused on helping you be financially equipped for retirement and guiding you throughout this stage of life.
    Is Your Portfolio Ready for Retirement?
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    Planning for the Rising Costs of Healthcare
    Health care costs are rising—especially for retirees, and many will need long-term care. Learn the moves you can make to help prepare yourself.

    Life insurance, disability income insurance, and long-term care insurance are offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC's licensed insurance agency affiliates.
    Preparing For higher Costs

Personalized Solutions

From buying a home to rolling over your 401(k) to leaving a lasting legacy, we are here to answer your financial questions and implement the best strategies for your specific goals and circumstances. Here are just some of the questions we help our clients answer every day.
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    Financial Planning
    Life is constantly changing. How do I prepare for a more secure future knowing that certain events – like a divorce or a death in the family – can dramatically impact my plans?
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    Retirement Planning
    Have I saved enough for retirement so I can maintain my current lifestyle without worrying I’ll run out of money? What is the best way to re-invest my 401(k) when I get ready to leave my company and retire?
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    Asset Organization
    I have assets spread across multiple organizations and platforms. How do I get organized and simplify my financial life?
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    Managing Risk
    Life’s risks can reveal themselves in many ways – from loss of life to loss of health. How do I protect myself and my family from life’s unknowns?
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    Professional Portfolio Management
    I have so many things I want to do with my life. How can one investment strategy balance them all?
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    Socially-Responsible Investing
    Is there a way to incorporate my personal values into the way I invest without giving up performance?
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    Charitable Giving
    Are my charitable donations having the impact I want them to have?
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    Growing Older
    Given extended life expectancy, how do I make certain I can afford the health services I may need?

Valuable Tools and Resources

We believe financial education leads to better insights into our investment strategy and discipline, and ultimately, better long-term decisions. As a result, we are committed to providing you with important information about managing your wealth more effectively in today's global markets.
We have assembled the following resources that reinforce the fundamental investment strategies and concepts of our practice. We've provided links to these materials, where available, and hope you'll return often to learn more about the topics that impact your overall wealth.
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    Family Office Resources
    Family Office Resources (FOR) provides specialized technical expertise to ultra-high net worth advisors and clients across a broad range of family wealth management issues.
    Learn more about Family Office Resources
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    MS Reserved
    Reserved Living & Giving is a tiered complimentary loyalty program that rewards Morgan Stanley's most valued clients. The program is designed to enhance your lifestyle and relationship with the firm beyond traditional wealth management services.
    Learn more about MS Reserved
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    Online Security Center
    Safeguarding your assets and personal information is paramount to us here at Morgan Stanley. Learn about our extensive security measures and take advantage of our numerous resources and ideas that are geared towards helping you stay protected on the World Wide Web.
    Access the Online Security Center
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    Addressing Cybersecurity
    In a world that is now more virtual than ever, staying safe online is nothing short of paramount. Take advantage of these helpful hints on how to tell if you've been hacked.
    Learn how to detect hacking
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    Portfolio Risk Platform
    Morgan Stanley's Portfolio Risk Platform is powered by BlackRock's Aladdin risk engine, a state-of-the-art, innovative risk engine used by several of the world’s largest institutional asset managers, providing you with comprehensive risk analytics and a sophisticated view of the risk/return dichotomy across your financial portfolios.
    Learn more about the Portfolio Risk Platform
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    Digital Vault
    Keeping important documents and financial records organized and readily available is one of the best gifts you can give those you love. In the event of catastrophe or serious illness, disability or death, your Family Records Organizer can immediately provide vital, timely information to both your family and professional advisors.
    Digital Vault
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    Morgan Stanley Online
    Your investments and everyday finances are always just a few clicks away with Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App.
    Learn more about MSO
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    Total Wealth View
    Complete your financial picture with Total Wealth View. By linking your account information, you will benefit from more informed wealth planning, more secure data access, and convenient connectivity.
    Learn more about Total Wealth View

Location

8701 Bee Caves Rd
Ste 300
Austin, TX 78746
US
Direct:
(512) 480-8833(512) 480-8833
Toll-Free:
(800) 234-1940(800) 234-1940

Meet The Stone Group

About Rhett Stone

Rhett has been with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and its predecessor firms for 51 years.  Rhett has served as an Assistant Branch Manager in San Antonio and Branch Manager in the Austin office. Prior to forming The Stone Group, he worked as a director for the Consulting Group covering the Southwest Region and Oklahoma.  Rhett focuses on providing objective counsel on the research, selection, and monitoring of leading professional money managers focusing on high net worth clients and institutions.
Securities Agent: MA, OH, AL, TX, IN, NE, FL, DC, WA, OR, NC, MT, CO, CA, AZ, TN, NY, MD, VA, OK, MO, KY, CT, WI, NM, KS, IL, GA, PA, LA, MI; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Principal; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1273050

About Candace Stone

Candace is a 31 year Morgan Stanley Wealth Management veteran who was previously employed by the Texas State Securities Board for 13 years. Within The Stone Group, Candace focuses on developing customized investment strategies and advice for high-net-worth clients with a unique perspective in wealth management.
Securities Agent: OK, TX, MI, NE, DC, WI, WA, VA, TN, PA, OR, OH, NY, NM, NC, MT, MO, MD, MA, LA, IN, IL, GA, FL, CT, CO, CA, AZ, AL; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1262363

About Tom Bray

Tom has worked in Wealth Management since 2002.  Prior to Morgan Stanley he worked as an advisor for Smith Barney and Sands Brothers Investment Bank.  As a Certified Financial Planner Designee and Certified Private Wealth Advisor, Tom applies in-depth financial strategies for corporations and individuals.  Helping families manage the complex, multi-generational challenges that accompany significant wealth, assisting businesses in accessing capital markets and monetization, and working with corporate executives to maximize their employee benefits are a few examples of how he adds value for clients.
Securities Agent: FL, CA, WI, OK, HI, IN, CO, TX, PA, MI, NC, MT, MO, MA, GA, TN, OR, NJ, DC, CT, LA, NV, IL, WA, VA, OH, NE, DE, NY, MD, AZ, AL, NM; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1290389

About Robert Fernandez

With more than 35 years of experience in the financial services industry, Robert brings a wealth of knowledge and a broad perspective of the investment world to our clients. After graduating from Queens College in New York City, where he majored in Finance and accounting, Robert began his career with Morgan Stanley in 1985.

Robert’s top priority is helping clients achieve their most important goals. Robert believes that his greatest contribution to his clients is providing great advice, service and financial education. Robert focuses on creating financial solutions – on Wealth Management, Retirement planning and Corporate 401(k)’s.

With the hands-on knowledge and experience Robert acquired, he took the extra step to demonstrate commitment and professionalism by attaining the Financial Planning Specialist designation and the Corporate Retirement Plan Specialist (CRPS) credential from the College of Financial Planning.

Morgan Stanley has a serious commitment to providing excellent service and advice in those areas, and Robert holds the title of Corporate Retirement Director, which is held by less than 2% of the around 16,000 Morgan Stanley advisors.

Robert is a New Yorker at heart, but currently lives in Austin, TX. Outside of work, he enjoys watching a variety of sports such as pro football, basketball and baseball.
Securities Agent: WI, WA, TX, TN, PA, OK, OH, NY, NM, NE, NC, MT, MO, MI, MD, MA, LA, KY, IN, IL, GA, FL, DC, CT, OR, CO, CA, AZ, VA, AR, AL; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 2329787

About Donna Chimera

Donna is a 31 year industry veteran and has been with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management for 25 years.  Prior to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Donna worked for Bank of America Capital Management.  Donna coordinates the groups overall day-to-day operation and restructures business models to increase client service quality.

About Elisabeth Bailey, CFP®

Elisabeth began her career with Morgan Stanley in 2006 and joined The Stone Group at Morgan Stanley in 2017 after relocating to Austin, TX from Atlanta, GA.  Elisabeth is a Certified Financial Planner (TM) certificant, a designation awarded by the Certified Financial Planner (TM) Board of Standards, Inc.  She applies this training, along with her industry experience and operational knowledge, to provide individualized client service and to assist the Advisors on the team with delivering customized solutions to clients.
 
 
 
CA Insurance License #: 4024815
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.

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.

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.

Retirement for Plan Sponsors

End-to-End Services, Made Simple:
We can provide the tools and guidance to help you manage a retirement plan.
  • Plan Evaluation
  • Investment Management
  • Plan Management Support
  • Plan Participant Education
State of the Workplace Study 2023
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State of the Workplace Study 2023

Explore Morgan Stanley at Work’s State of the Workplace III Financial Benefits Study results. Discover workforce challenges and how to stay competitive.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Stone 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 Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

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2Alternative 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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3Morgan 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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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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5Morgan 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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6Morgan 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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7When 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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8Municipal bonds may not be appropriate for all investors. Income generated from an investment in a municipal bond is generally exempt from federal income taxes. Some income may be subject to state and local taxes and to the federal alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to tax.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and its Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide any tax/legal advice. Consult your own tax/legal advisor before making any tax or legal-related investment decisions.

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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)