Our Story

We believe that deep rooted relationships are built on trust. Our core values are honesty, integrity and work ethic.  We are a goals-based comprehensive financial planning team that puts our clients' interest first. Our transparent and streamlined relationship management process can enable us to exceed client expectations and help achieve the financial goals for those that we serve. How we help you:

We help ACHIEVE YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS by developing a comprehensive financial plan, based on your individual circumstances, goals and tolerance for risk.

We help BRING ORDER TO YOUR FINANCES by developing a customized strategy for your investments; tax planning; insurance; retirement assets; estate planning and charitable giving.

We help KEEP YOU ON TRACK by helping you set priorities, showing you the steps you need to take and regularly reviewing your progress toward achieving your objectives.

We seek to PROVIDE OBJECTIVITY AND PERSPECTIVE IN A CRISIS whether in the markets or your life.  We bring insight and experience to help avoid emotionally driven decisions, with an emphasis on being patient and maintaining a steady course.

We help PREPARE FOR LIFE’S TRANSITIONS such as paying educational expenses and extracting income in retirement.  We also seek to protect against unexpected catastrophic loss.

We help you LEARN ABOUT THE CHALLENGES AHEAD and the resources available to help meet them, explaining your options and the risks and costs associated with each choice.

We help SIMPLIFY YOUR FINANCIAL LIFE by coordinating with your accountant, attorney, insurance company, retirement plan trustee, etc., to make sure they are working in concert and seek to minimize the burden on you.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Working With You

Trident Group 3 Pillars of Expectations

1) Goals-based (multi-generational) financial planning
- Financial Planning is more critical today than in previous generations. 
- A disciplined process and an “accountability advisor” are required.
- A Financial Plan is a tangible roadmap to achieve your financial goals.          
- We strive to work with each client’s tax and legal professionals to help create and monitor comprehensive/tailored financial plans.

2) Investment Management
- We believe that global diversification is the key to long term wealth creation and portfolio risk management.
- Strategic asset allocation with tactical tilts are central elements of our investment guidance.
- We seek to participate in up markets, while stressing to preserve capital in down markets.

3) Trident Client Experience
- Total client satisfaction is our goal as we are committed to our “24 Hour Rapid Response” to each client inquiry.  
- Our clients find a lot of value in our “Pre-scheduled Meeting Process” as it is consistent, organized, time efficient, & informative.
  
Our goal is to fully understand our clients financial goals, aspirations, and risk tolerance. Our clients deserve not just financial advisors, but trusted financial advocates.

Giving Back

The Trident Group shares a passion for philanthropy. We are dedicated to giving back to our community and those in need. Below are some of the charities and organizations we are affiliated with.

• Central Ohio YMCA
• Pelotonia
• Worthington Resource Pantry
• Salvation Army
• Hilliard Food Bank
• Mid- Ohio Food Bank
• Lifepoint Church
• Central Ohio Parkinson’s
• Central Ohio Special Olympics
• Franklin County Dog Shelter
• The Mercator Club
• Wittenberg University
• Miami University

We always welcome new causes, please reach out to us with any opportunities to give back.

Location

545 Metro Place South
Suite 300
Dublin, OH 43017
US
Direct:
(614) 798-3202(614) 798-3202
Toll-Free:
(800) 457-0025(800) 457-0025

Meet Trident Group

About John R Cook

John R. Cook
Senior Vice President
Senior Portfolio Manager
Financial Advisor

 

John started in the financial services industry 29 years ago, and has been with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and its predecessors since 1994.  John focuses on providing integrated wealth management strategies to individuals and families, and is responsible for the oversight and the allocation decisions of the Trident team model portfolios. 

 

John earned a Business Finance degree from Miami University (Oxford).  John has consistently been a member of Morgan Stanley’s Presidents Club.  John and his wife, Michelle, reside in Powell, Ohio with their six children.  Outside the office, John is an avid sports fan and enjoys playing golf.
Securities Agent: WV, MO, IL, ID, SD, NV, NE, MT, MI, MD, IN, HI, TN, CO, PR, OK, NJ, ND, NC, KS, AR, WY, WI, UT, RI, OR, NH, KY, DE, CA, WA, TX, FL, PA, VA, NM, IA, CT, OH, NY, MS, ME, AZ, AK, VT, AL, MN, MA, GA, DC, SC; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative

About Michael Zid

Michael C. Zid
Senior Vice President
Family Wealth Advisor
Financial Advisor

 

Michael is a practicing financial advisor of the Dublin, Ohio Morgan Stanley Wealth Management office.  Michael began his career in 1985 with Paine Webber in Columbus, Ohio as a Financial Advisor. Michael has earned the Family Wealth Advisor designation from Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.  Michael focuses on providing integrated wealth management strategies to ultra-high net worth business owners and families.  Michael provides due diligence on alternative investment solutions provided by Morgan Stanley for our team.

 

Michael earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from The Ohio State University.  He has obtained his series 7 (Securities), Series 8 (Supervisory) and Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination) licenses.  Michael currently resides in Upper Arlington, Ohio with his wife Suzanne where they have raised their three grown children, Samantha, Steve, and Max.  When not in the office Michael enjoys traveling, golf, cooking and volunteering at Upper Arlington youth football and lacrosse organizations.  Michael is an active member at Scioto Country Club and the Columbus Club.
Securities Agent: NV, MA, HI, PR, NY, ND, MI, DE, TX, OH, NE, MS, ME, MD, IN, DC, AR, UT, ID, CA, AL, CT, WI, NH, NC, GA, FL, VT, TN, RI, OR, NM, KY, KS, IL, CO, AZ, WV, WA, OK, NJ, MT, MN, IA, VA, SD, SC, PA, MO, AK, WY; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative

About Steven Zid

Steve began his career in the financial industry in 2015 working for Capital Group and started with the Trident Group in 2019. Steve’s primary focus is comprehensive wealth planning. Steve works with clients to help build a foundation of trust based on integrity and a commitment to service that, along with the vast resources available at Morgan Stanley, will help serve the needs of present and future generations.


Steve earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Miami University. Steve holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® designation from the Yale School of Management. Steve was raised in Upper Arlington and has recently moved back with his wife and daughter. Steve follows the sports teams in Columbus, plays golf in the summer and is an avid skier in the winter.
Securities Agent: IL, WV, VT, GA, DC, AK, SD, RI, OR, NV, NM, NC, MT, CA, TN, MI, ME, IN, AR, MD, KY, DE, AZ, WI, WA, PA, OK, NY, NH, MN, FL, MA, KS, ID, HI, UT, SC, NJ, IA, CO, AL, WY, VA, TX, ND, CT, PR, OH, NE, MS, MO; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2029156

About Kathy Willcox

Securities Agent: AK, AR, VT, NY, NV, MA, IN, IA, HI, NJ, MT, CA, WI, AL, VA, TN, OH, MO, MN, IL, FL, WV, WA, NE, ME, GA, AZ, SD, ND, DE, RI, KS, PR, CT, MS, UT, OR, NH, ID, TX, PA, OK, NM, NC, WY, SC, MI, MD, KY, DC, CO; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures

About Mary Day

Attended University of Cincinnati
Series 7, 66, and 31 licensed
33 years financial industry experience
1999 present with Morgan Stanley (and predecessors)
Main assistant to John Cook.
Responsibilities - managing client relationships and team operations.
Mary resides in Dublin with her husband, Ty, and children James and Olivia.  She enjoys watching her children participate in volleyball, basketball, softball, and ice hockey.
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
Article Image

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.

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
Article Image

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 
Article Image

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.

Financial Wellness

Enhancing Financial Wellness enables your workforce to do their best work. Companies that invest in financial wellness have an opportunity to:
  • Reduce employee stress,
  • Improve retention and engagement, and
  • Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce
Article Image

The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce

In the face of turbulent markets, the word “resilience” may be top of mind. Broadly speaking, resilience is the ability to “bounce back” when encountering life’s inevitable challenges.

Mosaic

Explore ideas and inspiration with captivating, original lifestyle stories created exclusively for Morgan Stanley clients.
A Change of Greenery
Article Image

A Change of Greenery

Houseplants add oxygen, flair, and warmth year-round, and the right one in the right space can do just as much for a room as any painting or side table.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Trident Group today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
1Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.

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2Morgan 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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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 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.

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5Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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6Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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7Municipal bonds may not be appropriate for all investors. Income generated from an investment in a municipal bond is generally exempt from federal income taxes. Some income may be subject to state and local taxes and to the federal alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to tax.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and its Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide any tax/legal advice. Consult your own tax/legal advisor before making any tax or legal-related investment decisions.

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8When 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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9Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

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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)