Russell Trapp, CFP®
Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor, Portfolio Management Director
Phone:
(256) 712-3680(256) 712-3680
The Trapp Group at Morgan Stanley
Our Mission Statement
Experience, intellectual capital and dedicated personal service to help you meet your life goals.
Our Story and Services
Our client relationships are at the center of everything we do. By working with The Trapp Group you’re not just getting a financial advisor. You are gaining access to a team of highly experienced professionals dedicated to serving the complex wealth management needs of affluent investors, with a multi-generational focus on asset growth and preservation. We are dedicated to delivering to clients the wisdom that experience brings.
Our service model is focused on achieving your goals, whether that is delivering a customized portfolio allocation, providing generational wealth planning to your family, or providing for sufficient cash flow in retirement. Together as a team, we offer the experience, credentials, and skills that enable us to implement a plan that will be focused on achieving your desired outcome.
We spend time on investment selection managing risk and identifying best-in-class businesses that can be owned throughout the economic cycle. Our approach rewards shareholder friendly companies that return cash to their investors.
We offer a fully integrated, unified effort in everything we do, uniting our individual skills and personalities together in order to bring you exceptional service and a disciplined sense of focus on what matters most – your progress towards your goals.
Team Awards:
2024 & 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2024-2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.
Our service model is focused on achieving your goals, whether that is delivering a customized portfolio allocation, providing generational wealth planning to your family, or providing for sufficient cash flow in retirement. Together as a team, we offer the experience, credentials, and skills that enable us to implement a plan that will be focused on achieving your desired outcome.
We spend time on investment selection managing risk and identifying best-in-class businesses that can be owned throughout the economic cycle. Our approach rewards shareholder friendly companies that return cash to their investors.
We offer a fully integrated, unified effort in everything we do, uniting our individual skills and personalities together in order to bring you exceptional service and a disciplined sense of focus on what matters most – your progress towards your goals.
Team Awards:
2024 & 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2024-2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Our Investment Process
We build customized investment portfolios. Success requires a consistent strategy based on sound analysis and a philosophy that includes no time pressures, short term benchmarks, or extreme reactions to financial markets.
It’s about knowing what you own and why you own it.
It’s about investing in a disciplined process – one that involves patience, diversification, and is designed to be adaptable as the circumstances in your life evolve.
Our process is one in which we will initially discover your objectives and risk tolerance, propose a personalized plan to accomplish your objectives, and then regularly monitor progress. We are wholly transparent in our relationships; and make each client fully aware of the income tax implications of our advice.
A financial plan is offered to everyone, and we are committed to every client achieving success. You will also have access to a Private Banker who is familiar with your family balance sheet, should you need access to financing of any type.
We provide access to an expansive suite of services to help our client's families focus on goals and objectives surrounding long-term legacy-building and the stewardship of wealth.
Private Bankers are employees of Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association, Member FDIC.
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 https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf or consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences.
It’s about knowing what you own and why you own it.
It’s about investing in a disciplined process – one that involves patience, diversification, and is designed to be adaptable as the circumstances in your life evolve.
Our process is one in which we will initially discover your objectives and risk tolerance, propose a personalized plan to accomplish your objectives, and then regularly monitor progress. We are wholly transparent in our relationships; and make each client fully aware of the income tax implications of our advice.
A financial plan is offered to everyone, and we are committed to every client achieving success. You will also have access to a Private Banker who is familiar with your family balance sheet, should you need access to financing of any type.
We provide access to an expansive suite of services to help our client's families focus on goals and objectives surrounding long-term legacy-building and the stewardship of wealth.
Private Bankers are employees of Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association, Member FDIC.
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 https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf or consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences.
Valuable Resources
Our comprehensive suite of digital resources are designed to help enhance every aspect of your financial life. These resources are meant to transform complex financial analysis and research into concise and easily digestible content.
GIC Weekly Research Report
The Global Investment Committee's Lisa Shalett headlines this weekly look at markets, asset class performance and fixed income.
Check out the latest report
On The Markets Research Report
Detailed market commentary from Morgan Stanley's thought leaders on topics such as global equities, fixed income, monetary policy and more.
Check out the latest report
Morgan Stanley Ideas Podcast
The Morgan Stanley Ideas Podcast brings you revealing stories about the world of business, finance, technology and beyond.
Check out the latest episode
A Parent's Guide to Talking to Your Kids About Money
Raising kids to be smart about money requires creating an environment where they are neither insecure, nor overconfident about family finances.
Click here for more
You Can't Manage Portfolio Risk Without Seeing The Big Picture
What if there were a resource that could show you where your investment exposures are and how they might affect your returns in different scenarios?
Click here for more
6 Money Questions to Ask Your Partner Before You Commit
Thinking of taking the next step with someone special? Head off money headaches by talking about your finances first.
Click here for more
What's Your Relationship with Wealth
Before engaging in family wealth-planning conversations, you may want to examine your own feelings and attitudes about wealth. Here are some questions you can ask yourself.
Click here for more
Innovative Ways to Pay for Education
A 529 plan is a great way to invest for future education costs, but there are also other options to raise the funds you need.
Click here for more
Top 5 Mistakes Investors Make in a Market Sell-Off
Whether it is panic selling, hiding out in cash, or trading frantically during volatile markets, investors tend to make several mistakes that can hurt them long-term. Know how to spot—and avoid—the most common bad behaviors.
Click here for more
Sanders School of Business and Technology
The Trapp Group was proud to attend the unveiling of the newly named, Sanders School of Business and Technology at the University of North Alabama.
Click here for moreA Smarter Approach to Charitable Giving
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust (MS GIFT) strives to engage donors across the entire spectrum of wealth, ensuring their philanthropic aspirations and objectives will be achieved.
Introduction to Donor Advised Funds
A DAF is a charitable giving vehicle administered by a sponsoring organization such as MS GIFT, a 501(c)(3) public charity. DAFs are structured as 501(c)(3) organizations created with the intent of managing charitable donations on behalf of individuals, families and organizations.
Donor advised funds simplify charitable giving and Morgan Stanley clients have access to a DAF through MS GIFT, which is an independent section 501(c)(3) organization.
Click here to learn moreDonor advised funds simplify charitable giving and Morgan Stanley clients have access to a DAF through MS GIFT, which is an independent section 501(c)(3) organization.
Investment Programs
There are two investment programs available to MS GIFT Donors: Select UMA and Portfolio Management (PM).
1) The Select UMA Program is a unified management Account program in which MSSB acts as an investment advisor.
2) The PM program creates customized investment strategies for high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients.
Click here to learn more1) The Select UMA Program is a unified management Account program in which MSSB acts as an investment advisor.
2) The PM program creates customized investment strategies for high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients.
What type of assets can be contributed
Donors may make irrevocable and nonrefundable gifts of cash, marketable securities, freely transferable restricted stock and exercised options.
Other non-liquid “complex” assets such as real estate, closely-held business interests, life insurance, artwork, and other collectibles may be accepted at the discretion of the MS GIFT’s Board of Directors.
Click here to learn moreOther non-liquid “complex” assets such as real estate, closely-held business interests, life insurance, artwork, and other collectibles may be accepted at the discretion of the MS GIFT’s Board of Directors.
Get Started with MS Gift today
Before opening an MS GIFT Branch Access Account, the Donor and FA must review the following forms.
1) Donor Contribution Agreement Form
2) Donor Circular & Disclosures
3) Donor Advised Fund Policy
For more information, click the link below.
Click here to learn more1) Donor Contribution Agreement Form
2) Donor Circular & Disclosures
3) Donor Advised Fund Policy
For more information, click the link below.
Digital Resources
Take a look at our suite of digital resources provided by Morgan Stanley. These are some of the tools we use on a daily basis to provide excellent service to our clients.
Morgan Stanley Online (MSO)
Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) has a variety of features beyond viewing your account balance and activity that clients can take advantage of. Read more below on what some of these advantages are.
Enroll in MSO
Financial Planning (GPS)
Our financial planning tool, GPS, helps clients define what their financial goals are, and then creates a financial framework to bring these goals to life.
Learn more about GPS
Portfolio Risk Platform (Aladdin)
Morgan Stanley's Portfolio Risk Platform is powered by BlackRock's Aladdin risk engine, a state-of-the-art, innovative tool used by several of the world's largest institutional asset managers, using this tool provides comprehensive risk analytics and a sophisticated view of the risk/return dichotomy across your financial portfolios.
Mange your risk
Digital Vault
The Digital Vault on Morgan Stanley Online and the Mobile App allows for easy sharing and convenient access to life’s most important documents from wills and deeds to financial statements and tax fillings. Easily manage your encrypted financial records all in one place.
View digital vaultLocation
201 South Court Street
Suite 410
Florence, AL 35630
US
Direct:
(256) 712-3680(256) 712-3680
Meet The Trapp Group
Will Trapp
Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor, Portfolio Management Director, Government Entity Specialist
Phone:
(256) 712-3681(256) 712-3681
Mark Williams
Associate Vice President, Financial Advisor, Portfolio Manager
Phone:
(256) 712-3682(256) 712-3682
Anna Roberson, CRPC
Vice President, Group Director, Financial Planning Specialist
Phone:
(256) 712-3683(256) 712-3683
Bradley Beasley
Assistant Vice President, Investment Consultant, Portfolio Manager Specialist
Phone:
(256) 712-3677(256) 712-3677
Janice Green
Client Service Associate
Phone:
(256) 712-3676(256) 712-3676
Agnes Williams
Senior Registered Client Service Associate
Phone:
(256) 712-3679(256) 712-3679
Amy Stumpe
Registered Client Service Associate
Phone:
(256) 712-3665(256) 712-3665
Jackson Clark
Team Administrator
Phone:
(256) 712-3667(256) 712-3667
About Russell Trapp
Rusty has worked in wealth management for 40 years, with Merrill Lynch and now with Morgan Stanley. He is a 1973 graduate of Vanderbilt University. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional. He lives in Florence with his wife, Gail, and they have three adult children and eight grandchildren. Barron’s Magazine named Rusty one of “America’s Top 1,000 Advisors” in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Rusty is involved with Rotary International and is a board member of The PCA Foundation and The University of North Alabama Foundation, where he chairs the Investment Committee.
NMLS #510691
2009, 2010 and 2011 Barron's Top 100 Financial Advisors (formerly referred to as Barron's Top 1,000 Financial Advisors: State-by-State)
Source: Barrons.com (2009, 2010 and 2011). Data compiled by Barron's based on 12-month period concluding in Dec of the year prior to the issuance of the award."
NMLS #510691
2009, 2010 and 2011 Barron's Top 100 Financial Advisors (formerly referred to as Barron's Top 1,000 Financial Advisors: State-by-State)
Source: Barrons.com (2009, 2010 and 2011). Data compiled by Barron's based on 12-month period concluding in Dec of the year prior to the issuance of the award."
NMLS#: 510691
About Will Trapp
Will started in the investment business in 2009. He is a graduate of Birmingham Southern College and has an MBA from Vanderbilt University. He and his wife Julie have three children. Will is on the Board of Trustees of The University of North Alabama and is active in Common Ground Shoals. NMLS #510692
NMLS#: 510692
About Mark Williams
Mark Williams is a native of the Shoals Area and has enjoyed a career in Banking, Construction, Pharmaceutical Sales, and Wealth Management. His varied work experience has given him the ability to understand the various challenges that face small business owners and individuals trying to build a financial legacy for their families. He is a Qualified Plan Financial Consultant and has worked in wealth management for 10 years. Mark graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Commerce and Business Administration and has a J.D. from Cumberland School of Law. He and his wife, Becky, have four children and four grandchildren.
NMLS #928522
NMLS #928522
NMLS#: 928522
About Anna Roberson
Anna is the Group Director for The Trapp Group. She joined the team in 2007. Anna engages in team oversight responsibilities and oversees the administrative functions of the team. She is an escalation point for client concerns and follows through on resolutions of client service projects and operational issues. Anna also assists clients with the implementation of their philanthropic strategies.
Anna has received her certificate as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC). She is a graduate of the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration with a major in Professional Accounting and minors in Finance and Business Administration. Anna lives in Lexington with her husband, Ryan, and their three children
Anna has received her certificate as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC). She is a graduate of the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration with a major in Professional Accounting and minors in Finance and Business Administration. Anna lives in Lexington with her husband, Ryan, and their three children
About Bradley Beasley
Brad is the Portfolio Manager Specialist and Investment Consultant for The Trapp Group. Brad joined the team in 1993. He focuses primarily on customizing investment and portfolio solutions for clients based on their investment objectives and risk tolerances. This involves researching equity, fixed income, and alternative investment managers to identify appropriate strategies. Brad also works directly with the team’s clients to address their investment and portfolio-related questions, and to execute their trade orders.
Brad has received his certificate as an Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor (APMA). He is a graduate of Cal State Hayward University with degrees in Marketing and Finance. Brad lives in Florence with his wife Laura and they have three adult children.
NMLS#1833105
Brad has received his certificate as an Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor (APMA). He is a graduate of Cal State Hayward University with degrees in Marketing and Finance. Brad lives in Florence with his wife Laura and they have three adult children.
NMLS#1833105
About Janice Green
Janice has been in the industry since 1980. She is one of the original members of The Trapp Group with Rusty. She currently works part time with The Trapp Group, specializing in relationship management. She lives in Florence with her husband Wendell. Janice has two adult children and four grandchildren.
About Agnes Williams
Agnes is a Client Service Associate for The Trapp Group . She joined the team in 2021. She has been working in wealth management since 2018. Agnes moved from Hungary to Florence in 1999 to attend the University of North Alabama. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 2001 and obtained her MBA in 2008. She lived in several states in the Southeast between 2004 and 2014 before returning to Florence with her husband Gerald and their two children. Prior to her experience in wealth management, Agnes worked in the legal field as well as in the mortgage industry.
About Amy Stumpe
Amy is a Client Service Associate for the Trapp Group. She joined the team in 2022. Amy is a Georgia native who attended Shorter University on a Track and Field scholarship. After an injury, she transferred to the University of North Alabama where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 2011. Since graduating, Amy relocated back to Georgia and has enjoyed careers in both finance and information technology. She's excited to plant roots back in Florence as her daughter begins her first year in kindergarten.
About Jackson Clark
Jackson is a student at the University of Alabama majoring in Finance with a specialization in value investing. He is an active member in the Alabama Finance Association, 1919 Club, and the Pre-Law Student Association.
Contact Russell Trapp
Contact Will Trapp
Contact Mark Williams
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
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
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
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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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
Article Image
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Trapp Group today.
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.
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
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)
