Welcome

For us at The Summit Group, Retirement Planning means more than providing our clients with investment advice. It means helping them maintain the financial independence they've worked their whole lives to achieve. Our consultative process begins with an in-depth discussion of your current finances and future objectives. We'll address issues you might have overlooked and determine how we can help you adjust your investment strategy to accommodate changing conditions and meet any unforeseen expenses and income demands that may arise during retirement.

As Financial Advisors, our role is to help you use your wealth to achieve what is most important to you.  That may mean providing an education to your children or grandchildren, buying a vacation home, meeting the special needs of a family member, retiring ten years early - the list is endless, and the decision is uniquely your own. Together, we will explore your aspirations and the life you envision and work with you to translate your goals into specific investment objectives with a personalized investment strategy.  We will utilize our team's experience and the insight and resources of one of the world's largest financial firms, to structure a portfolio for you, executing and refining that strategy to help bring you closer to your definition of investment success.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

The Summit Group's Four-Step Process

Our approach focuses on you, your family, and your career - where you are today and where you want to go. Working together, we develop the strategies to help get you there, navigating life's challenges and helping you make more informed decisions about your wealth.
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    1. Introductory Call
    We begin the process with an informal meeting to understand your financial concerns and determine how we can add value. If we agree to move forward, we will schedule our next meeting and request important financial information.
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    2. Get To Know You Meeting
    We continue the conversation by initiating an in-depth conversation where we learn more about the values that shape your decisions and identify any unique circumstances. We will also review the documents you provided and discuss your priorities.
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    3. Analysis & Plan Development
    By utilizing Morgan Stanley financial planning tools to develop a personalized and detailed plan, The Summit Group can provide recommendations to help you grow, preserve, and transfer your wealth.
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    4. Implementation
    Here, we present appropriate strategies designed to work together to achieve your goals. Upon your approval, we open new accounts for you at Morgan Stanley and begin our investment recommendations. We will also begin implementing other strategies we have discussed. Often included in these strategies are tax management, risk management, and retirement planning strategies.

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 Advisors, we can help you achieve your financial goals.

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

Whatever your financial goal - whether to grow your wealth, preserve it or pass it on to others, you can count on us to help you with a strategy that is:
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    1. Personal
    Highly individualized and committed to helping you achieve financial success.
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    2. Flexible
    Responsive to changes in your life and priorities over time.
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    3. Comprehensive
    Encompassing a broad array of investment products and services, with preferred benefits tied to your value with us.

Business Owners & Executives

Managing wealth is like running a company - you need a strategy to manage assets and mitigate risks. We help clients through the entire process by leveraging some of the best resources, research, and investment management services in the industry.
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    Planning For The Unexpected
    Events such as death, disability, or retirement of a business owner does not indicate the end of a successful business. Succession planning can provide for an orderly transition of ownership and business management during lifetime or at death. There are many opportunities for structuring and funding buy-sell agreements, key employee needs and other executive benefits programs.
    Click Here To Learn More About Planning For The Unexpected
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    Transaction of a Lifetime
    Creating and growing a successful business is not always just about money, nor is the decision to exit the business. That exit could be through an IPO, merger, private sale, or succession within the family. The process is intense, with complex details and decisions consisting of an unexpected combination of personal and financial needs. Morgan Stanley has been assisting business owners like you bring clarity and confidence to what is typically a once-in-a-lifetime event.
    Click Here To Learn More About Exit Planning
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    Concentrated Stock and Options Analysis
    Built for executives with significant wealth in stock and options of their company, the Concentrated Stock and Options Analysis provides various valuations of holdings as well as hypothetical diversification scenarios.
    Click Here To Learn More About Tax-Smart Ways to Diversify Your Portfolio
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    10b5-1 Trading Plans
    As a corporate executive, you may be aware of material non-public information at any time and can also face company-imposed blackout periods restricting market access to trading your company stock. These issues can be addressed by utilizing a 10b5-1 Trading Plan, which can provide you with an affirmative defense against claims of insider trading. Your plan can include a tailored trading schedule that coordinates with your personal liquidity needs and your own timing requirements.
    Click Here To Learn More About 10b5-1 Trading Plans

Important Research & Information Available To You

Morgan Stanley provides clients with resources meant to transform complex financial analysis and research into concise and easily digestible content. The links below offer insights into the modern market and economic landscape.

Location

3500 Colonnade Parkway
Suite 200
Birmingham, AL 35243
US
Direct:
(205) 969-7032(205) 969-7032
Toll-Free:
(888) 873-9391(888) 873-9391

Meet The Summit Group

About David S Heath

Executive Director
Portfolio Manager
Financial Advisor

As a graduate of the University of Alabama in 1996, David earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from The Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration. Upon graduation from The University of Alabama, David developed a new magazine dedicated to real estate development and investments on The Gulf Coast.

David joined Morgan Stanley as a Financial Advisor in 1999. He is an Executive Director of Wealth Management and is currently The Summit Group's Lead Portfolio Manager in charge of equity research and brings individual security ideas to our clients. His goal is to stay ahead of investment trends and uncover opportunities as they present themselves.

David and his wife Bethy have three children and live in Birmingham, Alabama.
Securities Agent: AZ, KS, TN, NC, GA, NY, NM, MS, VA, TX, SC, OK, MI, CO, AR, NE, MT, MD, LA, IN, CT, FL, CA, AL, IA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1398714

About Gregory B Burchell

Certified 401(k) Professional
Senior Vice President, Wealth Management
Senior Investment Management Consultant
Senior Institutional Consultant
Corporate Retirement Director
Financial Advisor

As a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Greg earned a Business Degree in Finance with a Concentration in Portfolio Management. 

Greg has been with Morgan Stanley for over 2 decades and joined The Summit Group in 2001. His focus is on strategic asset allocation and comprehensive financial planning for both individual plans and corporate accounts. He is also a Registered Investment Advisor Representative and the Director of Participant Education for The Summit Group. Greg plays a vital role in the campaign to effectively educate employees, increasing their knowledge and awareness of the challenges faced in retirement planning, the benefits made available by the plan, as well as the importance and urgency of taking full advantage of those benefits. He plays a pivotal role in the client needs assessment and developing custom solutions for each unique situation.

Greg has two sons and lives in Birmingham, Alabama.

Disclaimers:
Asset allocation and diversification do not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss in a declining financial market.
Securities Agent: IN, AZ, MT, AL, NM, MS, IA, FL, AR, CT, TX, OK, KS, GA, NE, NC, TN, MD, LA, NY, CO, CA, VA, SC, PA, MI; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1401592

About Frank A Siegal

First Vice President, Wealth Management
Senior Investment Management Consultant
Financial Advisor
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

Frank received his Bachelor of Science degree from the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration at the University of Alabama.

Following the successful sale of his family’s 62-year-old automotive parts distribution business where he served as Executive Vice President, Frank joined Morgan Stanley in 1986 where he is a Senior Investment Management Consultant and holds the designation of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ for The Summit Group. As a senior team member, Frank is an integral part of our wealth planning team and lead team member in our endowment/foundation practice. He conducts discovery meetings with our wealth management clients and develops and presents wealth management plans (asset, liability and estate planning) and manages the follow up process, a vital component, for our clients. For our endowment/foundation clients, Frank leads our clients through the spending policy, asset allocation optimization process, investment policy, and investment strategy implementation. He conducts quarterly investment committee review meetings, provides trustee education, including current academic and practical asset allocation theory and spending policy options. He has served on boards and executive committees for a variety of non profit organizations for over 30 years.

Frank and his wife, Wendy live in Birmingham, Alabama and have three grown children.

Disclaimers:
Asset allocation and diversification do not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss in a declining financial market.
Securities Agent: CA, IN, CO, NE, AL, TN, OK, NM, LA, NC, MS, KS, VA, FL, DC, MT, GA, MI, CT, AZ, SC, NY, MD, MA, AR, TX, IA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1404464

About Bethy Heath

Vice President, Wealth Management
Financial Advisor

Bethy received her Bachelor of Science degree from The Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration at the University of Alabama in 1994 and began her career with Bellsouth Mobility. After working in the telecommunications industry for several years, she started a career with a start-up pharmacy benefits manager, where she was a multi-state manager. When the company was sold, Bethy left the workforce and started working as a stay-at-home mother for her three children.

Bethy has a passion for volunteerism and before working with Morgan Stanley has held many leadership board positions with organizations such as The Junior League of Birmingham, The American Heart Association, Riverchase Methodist Church, Spain Park High School and the Hoover Athletic Association. She currently serves on the board of the Big Oak Ranch Auxiliary.

Bethy joined Morgan Stanley in 2017 and is a member of The Summit Group. She enjoys working closely with her clients to develop comprehensive financial plans that are designed to provide them with a fluid roadmap to help achieve their financial goals.
Securities Agent: AZ, VA, NY, KS, NM, MD, IL, AR, MS, LA, CT, AL, NC, CO, SC, OK, IN, CA, NE, MT, MI, GA, FL, TN, IA, TX, MO; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1794287

About Laura Packer

Securities Agent: PA, VA, OK, NY, MD, AL; 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
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.

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.

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.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Summit 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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2Investors should consider many factors before deciding which 529 plan is appropriate. Some of these factors include: the Plan’s investment options and the historical investment performance of these options, the Plan’s flexibility and features, the reputation and expertise of the Plan’s investment manager, Plan contribution limits and the federal and state tax benefits associated with an investment in the Plan. Some states, for example, offer favorable tax treatment and other benefits to their residents only if they invest in the state’s own Qualified Tuition Program. Investors should determine their home state’s tax treatment of 529 plans when considering whether to choose an in-state or out-of-state plan. Investors should consult with their tax or legal advisor before investing in any 529 Plan or contact their state tax division for more information. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not provide tax and/or legal advice. Investors should review a Program Disclosure Statement, which contains more information on investment options, risk factors, fees and expenses and possible tax consequences.

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3Alternative 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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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, charitable giving, philanthropic 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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6Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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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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8When 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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9Morgan 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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10When 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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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)