The Veritas Group at Morgan Stanley

Un-conflicted. Un-biased. Accountable. The principles that have defined my practice for nearly 30 years still hold true to this day. One might argue that they are even more powerful given the evolution and increased complexities of today’s ever-changing financial climate.

My goal as an advisor is to develop a solid understanding of each client’s unique needs. That starts with listening.

Something that clients appreciate is my ability to think outside the box and create a roadmap that is a departure from the norm. That ability has led me to come up with innovative ways to address each client’s desired outcomes.

What gives me great fulfillment is the journey that I and that client - that person, that human - embark on. Along the way, we’ll share both joy and tribulation as we work together toward a common goal.

The CIMA designation I received from the Wharton School of Business transformed me as an advisor. I saw and understood risk differently. Risk and loss in the financial markets can’t be avoided but understanding them and trying to mitigate them is my goal. My approach to portfolio construction developed from understanding how institutional investors, such as Pensions and Endowments, manage their pools of money, bringing those strategies to my clients and custom tailoring them to their needs.

The most important part of a financial relationship is trust. Trust can only be achieved through truth. Being open and honest in all dealings, with clients, but also with counterparties and regulators, is critical. Truth. It’s why our team is called Veritas.

I started the Veritas Group five years ago. It is supported by a team of administrators and investment product specialists offering a full complement of services from asset-based loans to mortgages, from conventional stock and bond portfolios to Alternative Investments such as Private Equity and Private Real Estate, from estate planning to tax minimization strategies. Teamwork, professionalism, and top-notch customer service have helped me build long-term, multi-generational relationships with a growing client base.

Our team is multi-generational by design. Youth added to experience is very powerful. Our industry is always changing, and youth can bring energy and new ways of tackling such changes. At the same time, youth needs experience and perspective to temper that enthusiasm and channel it to the greatest benefit. Such a structure allows the team to better serve our clients, their children, and the causes most important to them. But overall, I believe that what makes our team truly stand out is our commitment to our industry, each other, and most importantly our clients. We are driven toward constant improvement and providing service that is second-to-none.

I marvel at the beauty and efficiency of the capital markets, but I am most passionate about having a positive impact on human beings. I truly appreciate when clients acknowledge my hard work, passion, and ethics.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife of 35 years, Rita, and our two sons and their families, including two grandbabies and four granddogs! I also enjoy playing guitar, observing nature, and traveling.

Rita and I are long-time supporters of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Villalobos Rescue Center and the ASPCA.

As a founding member of the Veritas Group, I cover all areas of wealth management for our clients, from portfolio management to financial planning. The majority of the team is based out of Jericho, New York and in 2020, my family and I moved down to Florida, and I personally am based in Winter Park.

I’m proud to be part of a multi-generational team and appreciate how our values are passed on from one generation to the next. The value of learning from people within your circle can not be understated. The diversity of our skillsets allows us to explore different opportunities to benefit our clients.

Every relationship is unique. Every day, month, and year of a client’s financial journey is important and I will always be accessible for our clients. It is truly amazing how many deep-rooted relationships we have built over the years.

I am very proud to have come up with the team name Veritas, which means “truth” in Latin. Nothing is more important in a relationship between a client and an advisor than truth and honesty.

I graduated from Adelphi University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and started working in the industry the day after I graduated. I also hold a designation of Financial Planning Specialist.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my beautiful wife Nichole, and our two amazing children, Harper and Luke. I love playing golf and hockey, and riding my Harley-Davidson.

As a Financial Advisor Associate at the Veritas Group, I specialize in the team’s investment management, due diligence, and financial planning initiatives. My focus includes integrating alternative investments such as private equity, private credit, private real estate, and hedge funds, where suitable, to enhance our clients' traditional asset allocation strategies.

Before joining the Veritas Group, I accumulated 8 years of experience in the financial services sector. Initially, I was a part of a Wealth Management team at Fidelity Investments. Later, I joined Morgan Stanley's Alternative Investments team, collaborating closely with financial advisors on the West Coast to develop and expand alternative investment allocations within client portfolios.

The Veritas Group stands as a deliberately multi-generational entity. Recognizing the impending transfer of assets between generations on an unprecedented scaled, our team collaborates closely with clients and their families, ensuring a seamless and efficient transition. Leveraging the extensive infrastructure and resources of Morgan Stanley, we offer comprehensive solutions including intricate wealth management strategies, such as alternative investments, tax-efficient approaches, and private banking services. Personally, I am on the relentless pursuit of the truth, both within the investment realm and the authentic needs and aspirations of our clients. This is why our team name resonates with me so strongly. I find immense satisfaction in alleviating one of life's most significant concerns - financial security - and granting individuals the freedom to relish their lives without necessary worry.

I am a 2013 graduate of Bentley University, where I earned a Bachelors of Science in Finance with a minor in Mandarin. During my time at Bentley, I had the privilege of spending approximately six months studying in Shanghai. I hold the designation of a CFP^®, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA^®) charter holder, and a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA^®) charter holder.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my wife, Kate, and our two King Charles Cavaliers, Cooper and Molly, exploring the outdoors, playing in a band, golf, reading, and rooting for the New York Rangers.

Jackie Robinson once said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” Keeping this sentiment close, Kate and I are engaged in training Molly to undergo the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test and serve as a therapy dog. Giving back to the veteran community is also incredibly important to our family. I am honored to volunteer with Patrol Base Abbate, a non-profit organization run by and for current service members and veterans.

Originally from Bel Air, Maryland, I bring over 30 years of financial experience to the Veritas Group. Having worked for such firms as Prudential Securities, Wachovia Securities, and Wells Fargo Advisors before joining Morgan Stanley in 2013, provides me with the expertise to anticipate the needs of our clients and introduce them to the services that will best fulfill their needs. I currently hold Series 7 and 63 securities registrations.

As an original member of the Veritas Group, I’m so proud of the team we’ve built and the client relationships we’ve developed. Veritas is more than a team name, it’s an experience. From our in-depth onboarding procedure to our financial planning strategies, we differentiate ourselves from other financial service organizations because we bring to the table a level of client service that is truly exceptional. Building the best team of financial specialists is a task not to be taken lightly. Therefore, we take our time to find the most talented and qualified candidates, so our clients have the best overall financial journey.
Whether onboarding clients, researching a wide variety of requests, or entering orders for alternative investments, helping clients navigate during unpredictable markets while assisting them in reaching their financial goals gives me great satisfaction. I take pride in the fact that I’m extremely detail-oriented, conscientious, and enjoy collaborating with my team on finding new and creative ways to identify financial opportunities.

I live in East Northport with my husband, Kevin, and we have one son, Nicholas. During my free time, I enjoy spending time with Kevin, Nick and his fiancee Nicolette. I love to read, spend time at the beach, and visit with my family in Maryland. Kevin and I also love to travel to remote areas of the globe. I am a loyal Baltimore Ravens fan, so my family and I try to head back to Charm City at least once each year to catch a Baltimore Ravens home game. I proudly served as an executive committee member for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life - Northport/East Northport Chapter from 2009-2014, which raised over $2mm in cancer research. Our family also proudly supports Tunnel to Towers Foundation and St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.