The Wassaw Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley

John is leader and founder of the Wassaw Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley. With more than 27 years of experience as a Financial Advisor, John has developed a talent for creating, executing, and monitoring customized financial plans for clients that are designed to reach objectives and life goals. In addition to obtaining the Family Wealth Director designation within Morgan Stanley, John is a Senior Vice President and 22 year veteran of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.

In 2022, he received the Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Director designation, and was named one of Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors. In 2023, he was awarded the Morgan Stanley Family Wealth Director designation and again, made Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors ranking.

In 2007, John received the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP^®) designation through the American College, and the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA^®) designation through the Investments & Wealth Institute (formerly IMCA) and The Wharton College at University of Pennsylvania.

John graduated with a B.S. in Engineering Systems from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in 1990. He served two tours during Operation Desert Storm where he helped design and build systems aboard U.S. Naval Ships.
With a competitive background in Sailing, John competed in college and at the Olympic level. He is a five-time member of the U.S. Sailing Team and won three National Championships in the process.

John was responsible for starting several youth athletic teams including boy’s soccer teams, a High School Sailing Team, and a State Championship Clay Target Team through Savannah Country Day. John and his wife, Stephanie, enjoy golfing, sailing and just about anything involving their two sons, Collin and Nathan.

​Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Apr 2022) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 6/30/20 - 6/30/21.

When I was twelve years old, I walked my piggy bank into a wealth management office in Honolulu, Hawaii where I was born and raised. I made my first investment that day and never looked back. Since then, I’ve had a career in financial services spanning two and a half decades. After entering the industry as a Financial Advisor, I spent the next 20 years as an institutional investor making asset management decisions and helping manage multi-billion-dollar portfolios.

I was recruited by Morgan Stanley to combine my extensive financial background with my personal desire to work with individual investors. As a Financial Advisor, I help each client identify their unique financial goals and find solutions aimed at achieving them.

I hold the Chartered Financial Analyst^® (CFA^®), Alternatives Investments Director designation, and a B.A. from Tufts University where I earned All-American Honorable Mention honors on the Sailing Team. I went on to win the U.S. Nationals, the Silver Medal at the Pan Am Games and wage two Olympic Sailing campaigns as the top-ranked sailor on the U.S. Sailing Team. It was during this time, tackling shifting winds and currents, that I first learned to manage risks and opportunities in making headway towards my goals. Backed by Morgan Stanley, the largest wealth manager in the country, I bring that same level of expertise, passion, and commitment to helping each of my clients pursue their dreams and achieve their own financial goals.


Internal Associates
Debra Contino: Debra.Contino@morganstanley.com +1 201 712 4091
Dona Rozsypal: Dona.Rozsypal@morganstanley.com +1 201 712 4051

Ed recently moved from Miami to Savannah Georgia with his wife, Eliana, to be closer to Ed's children and grandchildren. With 45 years in the Financial Industry and more than 37 years with Morgan Stanley (including all of its predecessors), Ed has always strived to be an exceptional advisor to his clients.

As a Rotary International member for over 40 years and a Florida Southern College graduate (1973, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration), Ed has held both management and advisory positions in Financial Planning and Wealth Management for the past 45 years. Ed brings an exceptional background in wealth management to The Wassaw Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley including a Financial Planning Specialist designation.

He enjoys spending time with his wife, Eliana, traveling and dining out, and spending time in his workshop woodworking and metalworking.

Emily learned first-hand the importance of her own practice, financial planning, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. She knew she had to start taking her own advice seriously. Her diagnosis changed her life and career. She has a newfound passion for preparing clients for the unexpected – no matter their age.

Emily brings over 10 years of financial experience to The Wassaw Group ranging from Employee Stock Benefit Plans, Client Service, and Financial Planning. Emily holds Morgan Stanley’s Financial Planning Specialist designation. In addition to goals based and retirement planning, she helps our clients modernize their wealth and cash management. Emily’s experience makes her an integral part of the solution in helping clients reach their financial goals. Emily is fully licensed holding the Series 7 and Series 66 licenses.

Emily is a graduate of Ole Miss, where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, with majors in Banking Finance and Managerial Finance. She also graduated with an MBA from Belmont University in Nashville, TN. Emily and her husband, Ryan live in Augusta, Georgia with their two toddlers, Luke and Livy. They attend Stevens Creek Church and enjoy spending time with the children as well as with each other (in the few moments that Luke and Livy don’t demand their attention).

Maria is the Portfolio Associate for the Wassaw Wealth Management Group. She has over 30 years of experience in the Financial Services Industry and is fully licensed holding her Series 7, 66, 9 and 10 licenses. Maria is the first point of contact for our clients and specializes in relationship management and product knowledge. She supports our clients and advisors with service requests that meet every day needs.

Collin achieved a Bachelor of Arts from Hobart and William Smith Colleges with a major in economics and double minors in mathematics and entrepreneurial studies. Collin's academic pursuits reflect his deep interest in global financial systems, business operations, and analytics. His passion for sailing drives him to compete in regattas regularly. Collin also coaches and develops youth sailors to contend in the highest level of the sport. In his free time, Collin enjoys golfing, exercising, and fishing.