The Telos Group at Morgan Stanley

Craig brings a lifetime of experience to his role as team leader and founding partner of The Telos Group. He is responsible for bringing the team together and shaping its vision. An industry veteran with more than 35 years of experience, Craig is responsible for all operational activities including the team’s workflow. Craig also serves as the senior relationship manager for many of the team’s private wealth clients.

Born and raised in Richmond, Craig always had an interest in the financial markets. At the age of 10, his father purchased him 10 shares each of two publicly-traded communications companies. As he followed the rise and fall of each stock, Craig became focused on how changes in the economy made an impact on his investments. This experience inspired him to pursue a career in wealth management.

After earning his Finance degree from James Madison University in 1985, Craig began his career in the trust operations division of United Virginia Bank (now SunTrust). A year later, he pursued his Certified Financial PlannerTM (CFP^®) designation as he continued to take on more responsibilities at the bank. In 1999, he made a career-changing decision to shift from banking to wealth management. He joined Morgan Stanley and formed a partnership with Kent Cox, a partnership that lasted 20 years before Kent’s passing in 2019. Craig carries on his legacy, continuing to grow and evolve the team that is now known as The Telos Group.

Today, Craig draws upon his vast industry knowledge to help clients solve complex problems, manage their total financial picture, and keep more of what they earn. It is extremely rewarding for Craig to see the impact a comprehensive strategy can have on his clients’ lives. Helping families develop and implement a financial plan gives him great satisfaction knowing he is contributing to a more comfortable and confident financial lifestyle.

Craig believes balance is vital to a happy life. He and his wife, Slater, have been married for 34 years and have three grown children and one grandson. An endurance sports enthusiast, Craig has competed in many triathlons of various distances, including his most challenging event to date, Ironman Chattanooga in 2014. Since then, he has focused mainly on distance swimming competitions that have taken him to Bermuda, Key West, and Manhattan Island in New York.

Chip has been providing sound financial advice to business owners, corporate executives and nonprofit institutions in Richmond and around the country for nearly 35 years. He and Fletcher Metz head up the investment management team for the Telos Group and consult with other industry specialists about the best investment solutions for our clients. For Chip, professional achievement is measured in terms of client well-being and goal achievement.

A Richmond native, Chip has always had an interest in the economy, the financial markets, and helping others. After earning his B.A. degree in Economics and Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia, he put these interests into practice, working at Wachovia Bank and its predecessor companies for 24 years. Chip began in the Bank’s International Department as a Foreign Exchange Trader and over time, expanded his areas of focus to include asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, and overall investment management. He joined Morgan Stanley in 2010 and three years later became a senior member of The Telos Group.

Chip is committed to professional development. Throughout his career, he has continued to further develop his skills by undertaking various advanced courses of study. He earned his Chartered Financial Analyst^® (CFA^®) certification in 1994 and his Certified Financial PlannerTM (CFP^®) designation in 2000. These credentials demonstrate Chip’s ongoing commitment to delivering a world-class experience. He draws upon his knowledge and insights to provide clients with tailored advice, based on the most effective wealth management strategies for today’s complex markets.

A strong believer in giving back, Chip is very involved in his church and his community. Serving in many roles at Grace Community Hanover Church, he is also a current member of the Hanover Chamber of Commerce and previously served on the Board of Directors for the Hanover Airpark Business Association. He and his wife, Gilda, have two grown sons. Outside of the office, Chip enjoys snow skiing, travelling, and visiting our country’s beautiful national parks.

Nick is an experienced Financial Advisor and Insurance Planning Director at The Telos Group, a highly skilled advisory team that serves the specialized needs of generational families and business owners. With discipline and diligence, Nick empowers clients to achieve new levels of success. His areas of focus include alternatives investments, covered calls, and annuities. Nick’s comprehensive approach includes a detailed financial plan, a diversified investment portfolio, and a commitment to outstanding service.

Prior to becoming a Financial Advisor, Nick served as Vice President of Development at Strategic Funding Source, Inc., a niche finance company whose mission is to provide funding to small- and mid-sized business owners. During the financial crisis of 2008, Nick saw first-hand just how valuable liquidity was to businesses. This challenge led him to shift his focus to a profession that would pair his business insights with his desire to have a more direct impact on the quality of people’s lives. He joined Morgan Stanley in 2014 and has been an integral member of the team ever since.

Nick is honored to work with an exceptional group of clients, connecting people of all backgrounds to their personal and professional goals, while helping them simplify their financial life. It gives him great satisfaction knowing he is helping families build a plan that can navigate the ups and downs of today’s financial markets, while helping enhance the quality of their lives now and for the generations that follow.

Originally from Cincinnati, Nick now lives in Williamsburg with his wife, Christine, and their two sons. The boss of the family is Tank, their six-year-old Cockapoo who commands a lot of love and attention. Nick is a graduate of Northern Kentucky University where he earned his B.S. degree in Organizational Behavior. An avid sportsman, he has been a baseball coach for a youth travel team in Williamsburg for many years and now serves as head coach for an 18U team called the Williamsburg Revolution. Nick also enjoys traveling around the country with his family.

Charlie Souter was born in Tallahassee, Florida and spent his formative years in Indiana and Virginia. He became curious about finance at the age of 12 when he began investing in mutual funds with proceeds generated from a roadside produce stand. From what became an over-zealous Indiana garden project he launched a small business, and with it grew a fascination and passion for investing.

After graduating from Wake Forest University in 1982, Charlie began his career at First National Bank of Maryland where he gained experience as a Branch Manager, Branch Training Officer, Credit Officer, and International Lender. In 1989 he moved to York Bank and Trust as a VP of Commercial Lending in the Baltimore/Washington corridor. As Charlie learned more about the business operations of his clients, he realized that most lending decisions were highly influenced by the application of varied accounting practices. This realization initiated the completion of classwork that prepared Charlie to sit for and complete the CPA exam in 1994.

In 1995 Charlie and his family (wife and 2 sons) moved to Charlottesville, Virginia to pursue an opportunity to work as a Financial Advisor for the Richmond-based firm, Wheat First Butcher Singer. Following a merger, in 1999 Charlie was recruited to join former Wheat colleagues in the creation of the Charlottesville office of then-Citigroup Salomon Smith Barney, now Morgan Stanley. From 2004 through 2010 Charlie served as the Branch Manager of the Charlottesville office.

Charlie attained the Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) designation in 2016 via The College for Financial Services. He also completed the Certified Portfolio Manager (CPM) program at Columbia University in 2019, earning Salutatorian honors for that year’s class.

The goals each client expresses are unique to their personal story and as such often require creativity and customization of the financial services that Morgan Stanley can provide. Charlie considers it an honor to be able to participate and share in his client’s challenges and successes. With 40+ years of experience, now managing over $400 million in client assets as of October 2023, Charlie still thrives on the interactions with prospects and longtime clients.

In his non- work life, Charlie has been, and remains, busy. He and Carrie have been married for over 40 years and are the parents of 2 married sons and grandparents to 4. Charlie is an avid fisherman (freshwater and saltwater), and is still a runner, having completed marathons, half marathons, and a host of other races in all 50 states. He is a 3-time finalist for the US Olympic team in skeet shooting and now competes on occasion to stay proficient in the sport he was introduced to at age 9. For over 20 years Charlie served as the UVa Sporting Clays coach and was also the head coach of his son’ s 2006 and 2007 Virginia Private School Cross Country State Championship teams. He continues to garden and always looks forward to the college basketball season.

A seasoned industry veteran, Chip is a Financial Planning Specialist and Financial Advisor at The Telos Group, a highly skilled advisory team with offices in Richmond and Charlottesville. With nearly 32 years of financial services experience, Chip focuses on meeting the needs and goals of individuals and families who have accumulated a higher level of wealth. He empowers clients to achieve long-term financial security through a personalized approach to financial planning and investment management.

Born and raised by a police officer and nurse in Spout Spring, VA, Chip always had sights on a career that would make a positive difference on others. After earning his degree in American Studies at Virginia Military Institute and Stetson University, Chip had a successful career in corrugated packaging and display sales prior to becoming a Financial Advisor at Legg Mason (now Morgan Stanley). Working closely with his clients, he learned firsthand the power of holistic financial planning when life events like a spouse passing away or a family member transitioning to a nursing home occurred. The financial planning he had done years before with his clients made a significant difference as their lives evolved. Today, when Chip considers becoming a vocational deacon in his Church (another passion of his), he is reminded that the work he does as a Financial Advisor is his ministry.

After working as a Financial Advisor for 15 years, Chip took on a new challenge at the firm and went into management in 2007. For the next 14 years, he would hold a number of important roles at Morgan Stanley, including National Development Officer, Business Development Manager, Branch Manager and Associate Complex Manager. In 2021, Chip’s career went full circle and he returned to his roots as an Advisor. There was only one team with whom he wanted to work: The Telos Group. Having admired their process and concerns for their clients for years, he knew they would be a good fit and complement to his practice. He has been an invaluable member of the team ever since.

Chip’s desire to help others is equaled only by his dedication to his family and his community. He and his wife, Carol, have been married 47 years and have two grown children and four beautiful grandchildren. Chip is a member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, where he serves as a volunteer with the Farmer’s Market and other outreach activities, as well as a Chalicer. He is a former Senior Warden of the Vestry at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Lynchburg, VA. He is also a former President of the Board of the Interfaith Outreach Association. Chip has also served as a US Swimming official throughout the Mid-Atlantic area and was on the board of the E C Glass High School Athletics Boosters.

Outside of the office, Chip enjoys long walks with his four-year old Lab, Wally. He also has a renewed love (and hate) relationship with the game of golf. He has an eclectic appreciation for reading and music and relishes his opportunities to go fly fishing for trout in the mountains.

Norman is a Financial Advisor at The Telos Group at Morgan Stanley. Whether he is helping a successful executive develop a comprehensive financial plan, assisting a couple plan for retirement, or advising a business owner on how construct a diversified investment portfolio, Norman is dedicated to helping clients achieve their goals and aspirations. He believes successful people all share a common bond: They encounter important life events that require timely guidance to help them make the right financial decisions for themselves, their careers, and their families. He is there to mentor and coach them each step of the way.

A graduate of Colorado State University, Norman earned his B.A. degree in Social Sciences with a Certificate in Business Administration. Prior to becoming a Financial Advisor, he was a college football coach for Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio, helping players succeed both on and off the field. In 2017, he made a major career decision to become a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, combining his coaching skills with his desire to have a more direct impact on the long-term future of his clients’ finances. He joined Morgan Stanley in the fall of 2020, and worked as a Portfolio Advisor for the BCG Group.

In working with clients, Norman takes a highly personalized approach. He spends much time identifying their needs and helping them understand their investments and income opportunities. He believes this approach gives clients the confidence to remain committed to their plan, particularly during periods of heightened market and economic uncertainty.

Born in California, Norman has lived in many beautiful areas across the country, including Washington State, Maryland, and Colorado. He and his wife, Krystle, now live in Gordonsville, VA with their daughter, Lelia Rue.

Fletcher is a Consulting Group Analyst and plays a critical role in the investment management process at The Telos Group. His core responsibilities include the research, due diligence, and selection process for the money managers and securities that are incorporated into the appropriate portfolios of the team’s private wealth and institutional clients. Fletcher also manages performance reporting and analytics for the team and develops custom reports, proposals, and presentation materials for client interactions.

Soon after graduating from George Mason University, Fletcher worked as a loan officer at a lending organization in Richmond. A few months into his role, he discovered his true passion for the analytical part of the business. This led to a new opportunity at Smith Barney (now Morgan Stanley) as an Investment Analyst. Nearly 20 years later, Fletcher is still working with the same group of colleagues, using his deep analytical skills to help clients make smart investment decisions.
He holds Series 7 and Series 66 licenses, as well as a Virginia Life, Annuity and Health Insurance License.

Originally from Midlothian, Fletcher now lives in Henrico with his wife, Joanna, and their daughters, Elena and Tamsin. Leisure activities include collecting vinyl records, watching classic movies and restoring tube radios.

As the team’s Group Director with a Financial Planning Specialist designation, Judi helps to shape the vision of our client service model and business operations by leading the development, implementation, and management of all elements of the team’s client service model. With more than 19 years in financial services, she is committed to providing each client with the highest level of client experience. Judi has been an integral member of The Telos Group since joining the team in 2011. She is Series 7 and Series 66 licensed and holds a Virginia Life, Annuity and Health Insurance License as well as the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ designation.

Judi attended a financial planning seminar with her father during high school and was immediately inspired to pursue a profession that would combine her interest in finance with her desire to help others. She graduated Cum Laude from Old Dominion University with a double major in Finance and Economics before completing the University’s financial planning certification program.

Upon graduation, Judi moved to New York City where she embarked on her career in financial services, working at such firms as Kidder Peabody, Ross Capital Partners, and Morgan Stanley. She returned to Virginia to raise her family and returned to Morgan Stanley in 2011. Today, Judi enjoys working with clients on a broad array of topics including responding to client’s daily investment and cash needs, driving pro-active client outreach, ensuring client accounts and information are updated to reflect life changes, and educating clients and the team on the firm’s digital tools.

In 2017, Judi created a local group within Morgan Stanley to help raise awareness and funds for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation where she participates as a Morgan Stanley ambassador in this non-profit’s annual fundraiser and walk as well as other educational events. In her free time, Judi enjoys paddle boarding, spending time at the beach, yoga, and holistic health and wellness.

Chris is a Registered Client Service Associate with The Telos Group and is Series 7 and Series 66 licensed and holds a Virginia Life, Annuity and Health Insurance License. As a goal-oriented worker, Chris uses his attention to detail and passion for the industry to help service our clients with their financial needs. His responsibilities include opening new client accounts, acting upon client requests, and supporting the other team members in the daily operations of the team.

Originally from Philadelphia, Chris moved to Midlothian, Virginia early in his life and graduated from Virginia Tech’s Pamplin School of Business in 2023 with a B.S. degree in Finance. Chris appreciates the science behind finance and enjoys being a part of solutions to address client needs. He joined Morgan Stanley in 2023 to combine his knowledge about the financial industry with his ambition for helping clients.

When out of the office, you can find Chris either on a golf course, in the gym, snowboarding down a mountain or in his backyard playing with his sweet dog, Bowie.