The Watchtower Group at Morgan Stanley

Steve has 27 years of enriching experience counseling clients, starting his career as a financial advisor in 1996 with predecessor firm, Smith Barney. Steve’s professional career began in NYC in the advertising industry and evolved to running his own sales and marketing business.

As an advisor, Steve’s prior experience in advertising and as a business owner gives him a unique perspective. That perspective confirmed the idea that seemingly immovable obstacles can be overcome with discipline, hard work and a different perception. His differentiating skill is his ability to interpret client goals and concerns into a coherent financial mosaic for resolving complex issues. Steve sees his clients as ever-evolving people. He views each client interaction as an opportunity to learn more about them and to sharpen his advice and insight.

Away from work, Steve is a skier, golf addict, and finds nothing more relaxing than messing around in boats or doing his own yardwork. Steve and his wife Alyson find great companionship with five children, six grandchildren, two dogs and two cats. Steve has served his community (Cohasset MA) for 12 years as chairman of the Capital Budget Committee, another 6 years as selectman and for past four years as chairman of the Affordable Housing Trust. He is a member of the Cohasset Golf Club, retired 20-year member of the Cohasset Yacht Club; member of The Woodlands Club (Falmouth, ME). Steve’s is a native of NH; He and Alyson reside in Cohasset, MA and Gorham, ME.

Bob has worked all his life starting in the 4th grade with a paper route. His parents instilled him with discipline and the value of hard work. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies at the United States Military Academy. West Point taught him world class problem solving and leadership skills. He served nine years active-duty spending time in both Europe and the Middle East. Those experiences help him better understand the geopolitical environment we operate in today.

Bob was recruited into financial services by Merrill Lynch in 1999. He later joined Smith Barney in 2005 which was acquired by Morgan Stanley in 2009. Bob became a financial advisor because he saw firsthand the impact on his father’s equity compensation when his employer went bankrupt. Financial literacy has always been a passion ever since.

Bob takes the time to develop deep and lasting relationships with his clients. He enjoys the challenge of the constantly changing capital markets and deciphering the best way to translate his knowledge and experience into portfolios to help clients achieve their goals and dreams. Bob has guided clients through multiple bear markets as well as bull market cycles throughout his 25+ year career. He focuses on what is important, “distinguishing the signal from the noise”.

Bob takes a very hands-on approach to portfolio management. Each client portfolio is custom tailored to their specific needs. Bob and his team start each client relationship with discovery and due diligence to ensure we truly understand our clients, their goals, and what is most important in their lives. Bob is a member of the Watchtower Group which consists of Steve Gaumer, Bob Cormier, Kayla Packer, a planning and fixed income specialist, and client service associate Chantal Martinez Blanco.

Bob enjoys spending time with family and friends. He serves as the President of the local Service Academy Business Network. Bob is a die-hard Bruins fan and season ticket holder. He loves to ski and collect fine wine.

Kayla has spent her entire career with Morgan Stanley starting with an internship after attending Northeastern University where she earned a degree in Communications. Kayla quickly gained a passion for helping clients. She served as a Client Service Associate where she spent six years delivering hands-on, white-glove service while getting to know clients on both a professional and personal level. Her dedication to proactively assisting clients with their needs paired with an active ear for learning about their financial goals and dreams led Kayla to her next role as a Wealth Advisor Associate (WAA). As a WAA, she expanded her education and expertise into financial planning which serves as the cornerstone of her work in her current role as a Financial Advisor.

As an advisor, Kayla empowers clients by simplifying the complex and helping them take control of their financial lives through education and guidance. There is nothing more fulfilling to her than seeing first-hand the impact of planning on one’s financial freedom and its ability to help clients achieve their goals throughout life’s milestones. From managing everyday income to creating a college savings plan to identifying the life her clients want to live in retirement, Kayla will be there every step of the way so that each financial decision is aligned with what is most important to her clients.

In her free time, Kayla can be found road tripping with her husband in their self-converted all-season camper van named Stella. She also enjoys staying active with running, paddle boarding, skiing, and being outside as much as possible. Kayla grew up in Westwood, MA and has spent all her adult years living in Boston, currently residing in Southie.

Chantal joins The Watchtower Group as a fully licensed and registered client service associate with previous experience at Merrill Lynch and Alex Brown. Before joining our team, Chantal was a student athlete at the University at Buffalo, where she played college tennis for four years and earned her bachelor’s degree in economics. If that weren’t enough, Chantal earned her master’s degree in Finance from the University of Miami in 2020 while interning for Merrill Lynch.

Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Chantal lives in South Boston. She enjoys running, playing tennis, and spending time with friends and family in her free time.