About 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 we can help you to preserve and grow your 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.*
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    Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State 2022
    Scott is honored to have been named one of Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-By-State for Texas in 2022. Selection for this list is based on a host of criteria, including the value of Assets Under Management, firm nomination, years of industry experience and best practices.

    Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State 2022
    Source: Barron's.com (Awarded Mar 2022). Data compiled by Barron's based on time period from Sept 2020 - Sept 2021.
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    Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors 2022
    Scott is proud to have been named one of Forbes 2022 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors in Texas. It’s an honor to be recognized among this group of outstanding professionals who consistently work to raise the standards in our industry.

    ​Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors 2022
    Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Apr 2022) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 6/30/20 - 6/30/21.
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    Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisors 2018 and 2019
    Scott is proud to have been named one of Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisors in 2018 and 2019.

    Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisors 2019
    Source: ft.com (Awarded Apr 2019) Data compiled by the Financial Times based on time period from 6/30/15 - 6/30/18.

    Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisors 2018
    Source: ft.com (Awarded Mar 2018) Data compiled by the Financial Times based on time period from 6/30/15 - 6/30/17.

Our Clients

The Uptegraph Group is devoted to serving multiple generations of families. We work with clients around the country, including successful individuals, multi-generational families, entrepreneurs, family foundations, trusts and estates.

Our clients are engaged, well-informed people who want to spend time participating in their work, with their families, and in their communities. It gives them great comfort knowing that we are with them through the successes and challenges that life brings.

We believe that transparency and candid communication play a vital role in facilitating our most successful client relationships.

The Uptegraph Group at Morgan Stanley offers the below suite of services:
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    Retirement Planning
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    Estate Planning Strategies
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    Family Wealth Planning
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    Financing Real Estate and Other Major Purchases
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    Philanthropic Pursuits
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    Generational Planning and Education

Resources For You

    Modern Wealth Management Tools

    Morgan Stanley's suite of Modern Wealth Management Tools allows advisors to offer more customized and comprehensive advice than anywhere else. These tools' ease of use allows for a more in-depth view of a client's financial life to be taken, resulting in better service and more well-rounded advice.
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      Morgan Stanley Online
      Morgan Stanley Online allows you to seamlessly and securely manage your investments and everyday finances in one place.
      Register for Morgan Stanley Online today
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      Security Center
      Learn about our latest security measures, how we are safeguarding your assets and personal information and find actionable insights and resources on important cybersecurity topics to enhance your own online security.
      Visit our Security Center
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      Digital Vault
      Digital Vault lets you easily and securely manage and share important documents such as account statements, authorizations, tax filings and other relevant documents with your Financial Advisor.
      Get Started Today
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      Total Tax 365
      Taxes can be a substantial drag on investment returns. Morgan Stanley Total Tax 365 offers access to a broad range of tax-efficient strategies to help you integrate tax planning into your investment process all year long, maximize portfolio after-tax return potential and help keep more of what you earn.
      Learn More
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      eDelivery
      Sign up for eDelivery today and start receiving email notifications as soon as your account documents are available on Morgan Stanley Online or the Morgan Stanley Mobile App. It's quick, convenient & secure.
      Enroll Today
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      Alternative Investments
      Alternatives are the investments that go beyond traditional stocks and bonds.

      Alternative investments are often speculative and include a high degree of risk. Investors can lose all or a substantial amount of their investment. They may be highly illiquid, can engage in leverage, short-selling and other speculative practices that may increase volatility and the risk of loss, and may be subject to large investment minimums and initial lock-ups. They may involve complex tax structures, tax inefficient investing and delays in distributing important tax information. They may have higher fees and expenses that traditional investments, and such fees and expenses can lower the returns achieved by investors.
      Morgan Stanley Alternative Investments

    Location

    2800 Post Oak Blvd
    18th Fl
    Houston, TX 77056
    US
    Direct:
    (713) 965-5010(713) 965-5010

    Meet The Uptegraph Group

    About Scott Uptegraph

    Scott leads the Uptegraph Group in providing advisory and financial services to high-net-worth clients, family offices, trusts, foundations, corporate executives and small business owners. Scott takes a planning-based approach to find risk adjusted solutions to meet the needs of every client in each aspect of their family financial profile. 

    Scott received his undergraduate degree in Economics with a minor in Finance from Texas A&M University. He is member of Second Baptist Church; a lifetime member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo; TAMU century club member; a volunteer at Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association; and a past board member of the Open Door Mission. Scott and his wife, Kara, make their home in Houston with their three children.
    Securities Agent: NC, DE, SD, MN, MA, MO, DC, WV, OK, MI, SC, KS, ID, FL, CT, AR, UT, CA, NY, NM, MD, WI, VA, TX, CO, WA, NV, IN, IL, NE, AZ, PA, OR, MS, LA, HI, GA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
    NMLS#: 1633092

    About Curtis Deinert

    Curtis joined the Uptegraph Group in August 2017 as a Consulting Group Analyst. His responsibilities include research analysis, portfolio construction, trading, and execution of the investment models. Curtis started in the securities industry in 2007 at a retail brokerage firm. Most recently, he worked for a portfolio accounting service bureau for financial advisors. In this role he worked closely with software programmers to develop and enhance the financial reporting capabilities of the platform. Curtis graduated from the University of South Dakota with a Bachelor's of Business Administration in Finance in 2007.  He lives in Houston with his wife and two children.

    About Kimberley Gammon

    Kim leads our administrative efforts acting as concierge to our clients. Kim serves as the starting point within the team assisting our clients with cash flow needs, the coordination of client meetings and all other administrative issues. Additionally, she works with our Operations and Compliance departments, helping to enhance the overall client experience.

    Kim began working at Morgan Stanley 23 years ago and has 25 years of experience in the industry. Kim has a bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design with a minor in management from Steven F. Austin State University. She enjoys volunteering with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and hiking in the great outdoors. Kim makes her home in Houston with her two sons, Grant and Jack and her rescue Rhett.

    About Tripp Uptegraph

    Tripp joined the Uptegraph Group as a Client Service Associate in December 2023. His role entails supporting high-net-worth clients with various wealth management and financial planning needs. Prior to his time at Morgan Stanley, Tripp graduated from Texas A&M University in 2021, where he earned his degree in Finance and Real Estate. He currently lives in his hometown of Houston, where he enjoys golf and spending time with his wife, Mary.
    Securities Agent: MD, WA, TX, LA, KS, GA, DC, UT, IN, HI, CO, NM, IL, WV, SD, PA, OR, MN, FL, DE, AZ, MO, CA, WI, MI, OK, MA, ID, CT, AR, NY, NE, VA, NV, NC, SC, MS; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative

    The Power of Partnerships

    By partnering with experienced individuals across wealth disciplines, Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors can align specialized resources with your custom needs and deliver strategic guidance through the familiarity and trust of existing relationships

    About David Julian

    David W Julian, CFP® is a Vice President and Financial Planning Director serving Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management offices in Houston-Post Oak. He is responsible for helping Financial Advisors with their clients' and prospects' financial planning needs.

    David began his career in Financial Services in 2017 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2021. Prior to his current position, he practiced as an attorney in the areas of Estate, Trust, Bankruptcy, and Business Law.

    David graduated from Hardin-Simmons University with a Bachelor of Behavioral Science in Psychology in 2008, from SMU Dedman School of Law with his Juris Doctor in 2014 and holds his Certified Financial Planner® designation. He lives in The Woodlands with his wife and two children and their COVID rescue dog, Moose. Outside of work, David enjoys vacationing with his family, Ultrarunning, and watching his favorite sports teams.

    About David Julian

    David W Julian, CFP® is a Vice President and Financial Planning Director serving Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management offices in Houston-Post Oak. He is responsible for helping Financial Advisors with their clients' and prospects' financial planning needs.

    David began his career in Financial Services in 2017 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2021. Prior to his current position, he practiced as an attorney in the areas of Estate, Trust, Bankruptcy, and Business Law.

    David graduated from Hardin-Simmons University with a Bachelor of Behavioral Science in Psychology in 2008, from SMU Dedman School of Law with his Juris Doctor in 2014 and holds his Certified Financial Planner® designation. He lives in The Woodlands with his wife and two children and their COVID rescue dog, Moose. Outside of work, David enjoys vacationing with his family, Ultrarunning, and watching his favorite sports teams.

    About Logan Mitchell

    Logan Mitchell, CFP® is an Associate Vice President and Financial Planning Director serving Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management offices in Houston-Post Oak. She is responsible for helping Financial Advisors with their clients' and prospects' financial planning needs.

    Logan began her career in financial services as a Wealth Advisor Associate, at Morgan Stanley in 2019. She matriculated from that role to a Financial Advisor, and joined a team managing a book of business north of $200 million. In order to focus on more complex financial planning strategies, she switched to her current role in 2022.

    Logan graduated from Howard University School of Business with honors, in 2018 and holds her Certified Financial Planner® designation. She lives in Memorial City, Houston with her family. When she is not playing with her 6-month-old daughter, she can be found working out, watching basketball, or spending time with her parents in Oklahoma.
    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
    Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse
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    Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse

    Financial planning after a divorce or death can be trying, but with the right approach and the right advice you can turn a difficult situation into empowerment.

    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.
    Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Uptegraph Group today.
    Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
    1Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

    For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.

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    2Morgan 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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    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 and other legal matters.

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    5Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.

    Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

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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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    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)