The Walker Pearson Group

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 preserve and grow your wealth.  You will 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.*

Goals-Based Wealth Management

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    Financial Planning
    Morgan Stanley Financial Planning can show you a single, comprehensive snapshot of your finances. We can help you create a wealth plan that’s adaptable to the different stages of your life using our award winning tools- Goals Planning System (GPS) and LifeView.
    Morgan Stanley Goals-Based Wealth Management

Working With You

Your goals, hopes and dreams are at the center of our work. That’s why we’ll plan to meet with you at length when you first begin working with us. We’ll ask smart questions and listen to what you say matters. Once we fully understand your situation, we’ll suggest ways to put your money to work.
Working with us, you can expect us to:
Develop a detailed financial strategy based on your goals
Set up a long-term wealth plan
Take the emotion out of money moves, so you can make smart decisions
Be flexible. When changes come to your life, or in the market, we’ll tweak your financial strategy.
Some of our work is best coordinated with your other key advisors. If you like, we can connect directly with your:
Tax specialist
Trust attorney
Insurance professional
Family office

Experience

Our Financial Advisors work with even the most complex financial portfolios. We’re also well versed in both family and business dynamics—important elements in many financial issues.

In addition, we have a deep understanding of market trends and the global economic landscape. We give you objective, understandable advice, so you can invest with confidence.

Location

6055 Lakeside Commons Dr
Ste 450
Macon, GA 31210
US
Direct:
(478) 471-2270(478) 471-2270

Meet The Walker Pearson Group

About John C Walker IV

With over 22 years in financial services, John has gained valuable experience during some of the market's most difficult environments. He joined Morgan Stanley in 2002 and received valuable insight working with his father, who had been in the industry for 40 years before his retirement.

John is committed to working with his clients and their families by preparing financial plans focusing on comprehensive wealth management. The plans include investment, estate, retirement, insurance, lending and educational planning.

John graduated from First Presbyterian Day School in Macon before attending Clemson University on a golf scholarship. He was a four-year letterman and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. After playing professional golf for 3 years, he regained his amateur status and still loves playing competitive golf today; though, most of his time is spent watching his stepdaughter, Avery, play on the Georgia Southern Women’s golf team.

John has been on the board of the Macon Area Habitat for Humanity for 19 years. He is also a member of the Macon Civic Club, Idle Hour Country Club and Forest Hills Church. John has been married to his wife, Beth, for 12 years, and they live in Macon with her daughters, Emma and Avery.
Securities Agent: GA, OH, NM, MI, CA, VA, MD, TX, TN, NY, KY, FL, DE, DC, WY, LA, IN, NC, AL, SC, NJ; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1285081

About Sam Pearson

Born and raised in Fort Valley, Georgia, Sam learned many valuable lessons while working in the fields, orchards, and packing facilities of his family's third generation farm. After graduating from the Westfield Schools in Perry, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Georgia.

As he nears his thirtieth year in the financial services industry, Sam uses his past banking experience and years of guiding clients through periods of difficult economic conditions as lessons to help him create valuable solutions for his current clientele. He has experience working with individuals and families as well as endowments, small businesses, and larger companies.

In 2005, Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Sam as Trustee of the Public School Employees' Retirement System of Georgia. Sam is a member of the Macon Civic Club as well as Idle Hour Golf and Country Club, where he served as President in 2018 and continues to serve on various committees. In the past, Sam served on the Finance Committee at Highland Hills Baptist Church where he and his family are members.

Sam and his wife, Molly, live in Macon. They have one daughter, Cassidy, a recent graduate of UGA living in Columbus, Georgia, and one son, Clay, currently attending UGA. In addition to spending time with his family, he enjoys his time outdoors, fishing, hunting, golfing, and watching UGA football.
Securities Agent: CA, AL, NY, DE, TN, LA, VA, DC, WY, MI, MD, KY, GA, SC, NM, NJ, FL, TX, NC; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1285049

About Mark Burke

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2017, Mark worked as a Senior Financial Associate, an investment manager and administrative support manager at major financial service companies including Oppenheimer & Co. Inc and Wachovia Wealth Management.

Mark began his career as an Army officer and served in Somalia. In the private sector, Mark held leadership positions of increasing responsibility centering on maximizing customer service and support to internal and external customers.

Mark enjoys playing the pipe organ at church, hiking, and spending time with his family including three wonderful grandchildren!

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 Maranda Barbour

NMLS# 1182370

Maranda Barbour is a Loan Portfolio Manager serving Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management offices in the Southeast Region.

Maranda began her career in financial services in 1999, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2010. Prior to being promoted to her current position, she served as an Associate Private Banker in Atlanta, Georgia. Before she joined the firm, Maranda was a Premier Client Manager for Bank of America.

Maranda earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Winthrop University. She and her family live in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Outside of the office, Maranda dedicates her time to youth mentoring programs and numerous community organizations, including Girl Scouts of America and the Greater North Atlanta Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. She also enjoys walking, traveling, and hiking.
NMLS#: 1182370

About Nikki Roberts

Nikki Roberts is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in Georgia.

Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.

Nikki began her career in financial services in 2007, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2017. Prior to joining the firm, she was a Senior Wealth Management Lending Officer at Merrill Lynch. She also served as a Private Banker and Investment Analyst at JP Morgan’s Private Bank.

Nikki is a graduate of The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Economics. She lives in Alpharetta, Georgia. Outside of the office, Nikki enjoys reading, listening to live music, and skiing. She volunteers with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the University of Pennsylvania Alumni Club.
NMLS#: 821883

About Lisa Bingaman

Lisa is a Vice President and Financial Planning Director serving Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management offices in the state of Georgia. She is responsible for helping Financial Advisors’ clients and prospects with their financial planning needs.

Lisa is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Chartered Financial Consultant® who began her career in Financial Services in 2007. She has been Series 7 and Series 66 registered, and Life/Health/Variable Annuities Licensed for 17 years. Before joining Morgan Stanley, Lisa was one of five Internal National Certified Financial Planners for Nationwide Financial, but the bulk of her experience was with Wells Fargo Advisors, where she collaborated with several teams and Financial Advisors in the Southeast region to consult on processes and procedures for implementing Financial Planning into the practice. Here, she mentored under a Branch Manager and CFP®, while working towards her own designations.

In addition to her degrees in Business Management and Psychology, Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Economics with a Concentration in Financial Planning from the University of Georgia. She lives in Middle Georgia with her husband and their 2 children, where they spend most of their free time on the baseball and soccer fields.
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.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Walker Pearson Group today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
1Morgan 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.
Morgan 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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2When 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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3Morgan 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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4Morgan 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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5Morgan 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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6Annuities 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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8Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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9Morgan 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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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)