Our Story and Services

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.
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
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    Services We Provide

    FINANCIAL PLANNING: Goals Analysis, Retirement Income, Debt Analysis, Special Circumstances

    INVESTMENT PLANNING: Security Recommendations. Economics, Asset Allocation, Tax Efficient Investing

    WEALTH PLANNING: Wills & Legal Documents, Legacy Planning/Gifting, Family Governance, Charitable Planning

    EXECUTIVE PLANNING: Incentive Compensation, Stock Options, Concentrated Positions, Stock Monetization

    BUSINESS OWNER PLANNING: Risk Management, Cash Management, Retirement Benefits, Succession Planning

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    Our Tailored Process
    1. Discovery Process - We listen, learn, and identify what is important to you and your legacy
    2. Develop Strategies - We determine risk and gather data to analyze current investments and create a financial plan
    3. Onboarding Meeting - We present and discuss the plan
    4. Deployment of Solutions - Focus on asset movement and assign responsibilities.
    5. Orientation Meeting - Meet and understand the team and "who to contact"
    6. Wealth Team Integration - Develop and understand your network, liquidity needs, and secondary plans
    7. Strategy/Tactical Meetings - Monitor, discuss, and adjust future transitions

Sound Investing Principals VS. Human Nature

Have you heard the expression "buy low, sell high"? It applies to just about any investment, and savvy investors always look for opportunities where something seems to be selling for less than what it's worth. So then why do investors sell off their investments when the market drops? Isn't that the perfect time to buy, when prices are depressed? Doesn’t it make more sense to either hold on to an investment during a market correction, or even buy stocks during a bull market?

It makes logical sense, and yet even sophisticated investors rush to dump their stocks when the market goes down. Why?

Because they are acting on emotion rather than logic. They fear that the market will continue to drop and don’t want to lose any more - even though they know that long-term, they should ignore the standard ups and downs of the market and stay the course.

In fact, while people are supposed to act in their own self-interest and make logical decisions, human beings are much more inclined to act emotionally when it comes to money - that's the core principle behind a school of thought called Behavioral Investing.

I have studied the phenomenon of Behavioral Investing and applied it to my wealth management practice. One of the most important things I do for my clients is to provide a logical, systematic response to changing conditions - I provide a guiding hand during the regular market volatility that is almost certain to occur during any long-range investment cycle.

Emotions are part of being human, and we all respond to them. However, I work with my clients to be sure that they don’t make investment decisions, or any other financial choice, based on emotions rather than logic.

    Location

    207 E. Westminster Ave
    Ste 300
    Lake Forest, IL 60045
    US
    Direct:
    (847) 604-7300(847) 604-7300
    8701 Bee Caves Rd
    300
    Austin, TX 78746
    US
    Direct:
    (512) 275-3186(512) 275-3186

    Meet The Yates Group

    About Stephen Yates

    Securities Agent: FL, OH, GA, CA, TX, MO, WA, TN, NV, WI, NC, AZ, MN, CO, SC, OR, DC, IL, HI; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
    NMLS#: 1282407

    About Sebastian Yates

    Securities Agent: HI, CO, AZ, OR, IL, NC, FL, WA, MO, CA, OH, MN, TX, NV, GA, DC, SC, WI, TN; 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 Andrew Dittbenner

    Andrew Dittbenner is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in Illinois.

    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.

    Andrew began his career in financial services in 2010 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2018. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Senior Premier Banker at BMO Harris Bank, as well as a Financial Center Manager with the Fifth Third Bank.

    Andrew received a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from Northern Illinois University. He and his wife live in Batavia, Illinois. When not at the office, Andrew volunteers with the Make a Wish Foundation. He also enjoys attending sporting events, as well as spending time with family and friends.
    NMLS#: 718951

    About Jessica Jendryk

    Jessica Jendryk is an Associate Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in Illinois.

    Associate Private Bankers partner with Private Bankers and 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.

    Jessica began her career in financial services in 2015, when she joined Morgan Stanley as a Client Service Associate. She also served as a Training Specialist at Morgan Stanley.

    Jessica is a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she received a Bachelor in Applied Science, and Saint Louis University, where she received her Master of Business Administration. Outside of the office, Jessica enjoys playing and coaching volleyball and volunteering with her fellow Diversity and Inclusion council members.
    NMLS#: 2665636

    About Ashley Duresa

    Ashley Duresa is a vice president and financial planning director for the Chicago North Complex at Morgan Stanley. She is responsible for helping financial advisors with their clients’ and prospects’ financial planning needs.

    Ashley began her career in financial services in 2017 and has been with Morgan Stanley since 2018. She started as a client service associate and assisted with daily client requests, provided excellent client service, and developed financial plans. She holds her CERTIFIED FINNANCIAL PLANNER™ designation.

    A magna cum laude graduate of Lake Forest College, Ashley graduated with a degree in finance. In her free time, Ashley is a competitive bowler and enjoys walking her dog, golfing with her husband, and traveling.
    Private Banking Group (PBG) Market Managers, Senior Private Bankers, Private Bankers, and Associate Private Bankers are employees of Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association.

    Banking products and services are offered by Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association, Member FDIC.

    Morgan 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

    Important information about your relationship with your Financial Advisor and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC when using a Financial Planning tool. When your Financial Advisor prepares a Financial Plan, they will act in an investment advisory capacity for thirty (30) days after the delivery of your Financial Plan. To understand the differences between brokerage and advisory relationships, you should consult your Financial Advisor, or review our “Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships,” brochure available at https://www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.

    You have sole responsibility for making all investment decisions with respect to the implementation of a Financial Plan. You may implement the Financial Plan at Morgan Stanley or at another firm. If you engage or have engaged Morgan Stanley, it will act as your broker, unless you ask it, in writing, to act as your investment adviser on any particular account.

    Morgan 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.

    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.

    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
    A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup
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    A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup

    Checking in on your retirement plan may make a lot of sense, especially when market volatility arises.

    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
    Iran Conflict: Seven Takeaways for Investors
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    Iran Conflict: Seven Takeaways for Investors

    Prolonged conflict with Iran could lead to higher oil prices, hotter inflation and greater market uncertainty.

    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
    529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education
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    529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education

    Though education costs continue to climb, starting to save and invest early can make a difference.

    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 Yates Group today.
    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 Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

    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 | Morgan Stanley
    CRC 4665150 (8/2025), 4763067 (9/2025)