

Venable Pruitt & Sexton at Morgan Stanley

Our Mission Statement
Our Story
Venable Pruitt & Sexton is a highly experienced partnership of financial professionals managing over $2.1 Billion in assets as of December 2024. We pride ourselves on using our skills to assist you in understanding the complexities that come with substantial wealth. Our business philosophy focuses on pertinent issues, which can allow you the freedom to focus on the people, issues and activities that enrich your life.
2025 Forbes Best in State Wealth Management Team
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Jan 2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based for the period from 3/31/23–3/31/24. Award Disclaimers: https://www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/awards-disclosure/
- Financial PlanningFootnote1
- Estate Planning StrategiesFootnote2
- Trust Services*
- Professional Portfolio ManagementFootnote3
- Alternative InvestmentsFootnote4
- Executive Financial ServicesFootnote5
- Cash Management and Lending ProductsFootnote6
- Business PlanningFootnote7
- Stock Option PlansFootnote8
- Qualified Plans
- Philanthropic ManagementFootnote9
UNDERSTAND. ADVISE. DELIVER.
Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment is a specialized wealth management division of Morgan Stanley that focuses exclusively on addressing the unique needs of top professionals like you, in the sports and entertainment industry.
As Global Sports and Entertainment Directors, Scott Sexton and Ryan Kelly have the dedicated experience, continuing education and access to world-class resources needed to understand the complexities and pressures facing high-achieving professionals in the sports and entertainment industries, and to help them make smart choices about how they save, spend, invest, borrow, preserve and give.
Both Scott and Ryan focus on working with established and emerging players/coaches in professional sports as well as sports industry executives. Working exclusively in sports and entertainment, Scott and Ryan understand the unique demands that come with a player, coach or industry executive. Their experience understanding schedules, variability of income, and the demands that come from life inside and outside of the sports profession, helps enable Scott and Ryan the ability to tap into a range of resources needed to address the unique immediate financial challenges, and to create comprehensive plans to help reach their long-term goals.
You're Unique and We Know Why
There's nothing common about you—not your talent, your drive, your achievements or even your challenges. From your variable income streams to your taxes, from your obligations to your aspirations, "typical" is not part of your vocabulary. You need distinctive financial strategies that can match your lifestyle and career trajectory.
Concentrated Experience in Capable Hands
Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment was developed to respond to the specific needs of sports and entertainment professionals at every stage of their careers. Both Scott and Ryan understand your unique financial opportunities and challenges. They know how money flows from your work to your wallet and live in your world, day in, day out, crafting innovative financial strategies as their chosen career.
Tailored Advice to Help Meet Your Life's Goals
You can leverage the vast resources of Morgan Stanley, one of the world's largest and most respected wealth management firms, to help address objectives, from helping build and preserve wealth, start a philanthropic foundation, expand your brand. Whatever aspirations you have for yourself, your family and your community, we present strategies, products and services customized to help you reach your goals, your way.
Embrace the Power of Team
You have a handful of people who have supported you, encouraged you and watched your back. Our team routinely work in collaboration with other dedicated advisors to guide financial decision-making. We support and respect your personal confidants, combining our strengths to help bring you greater confidence.
We're Changing the Narrative
The media is filled with stories of successful athletes and entertainers who have surprising financial setbacks. We're committed to changing that storyline. We've developed financial education programs for sports and entertainment veterans and emerging talents, including collegiate athletes, to help them avoid common mishaps. It's part of our mission to give back to your community and provide sports and entertainment professionals the skills to help make smart choices around their finances and wealth.
Private Investing
By leveraging Morgan Stanley's extensive Investment Management platform, it enables us to offer more investment opportunities for our clients to help achieve their goals. As a leading provider of private investment strategies, Morgan Stanley's expertise spans across private equity, private credit, hedge funds, real estate and much more. We are dedicated to serving the unique needs of our clients by delivering exceptional portfolios and custom alternative investment strategies.
Our alternative investments team pursues a broad range of strategies in diverse markets and geographies, yet share a common perspective on value creation. Morgan Stanley's resources and reputation can provide unique sourcing, information and value-creation advantages.
*Disclaimer: Alternative investments are often speculative and include a high degree of risk. Investors can lose all or a substantial amount of their investment. They may be highly illiquid, can engage in leverage, short-selling and other speculative practices that may increase volatility and the risk of loss, and may be subject to large investment minimums and initial lock-ups. They may involve complex tax structures, tax inefficient investing and delays in distributing important tax information. They may have higher fees and expenses that traditional investments, and such fees and expenses can lower the returns achieved by investors.
- Diversify your holdings
- Grow your assets
- Mitigate tax liabilities
- Generate Income
- Reduce Volatility
- Private Markets
- Private Equity
- Private Credit
- Private Real Estate / Real Assets
- Hedge Funds
- Digital Assets
- Tax-Advantaged Strategies
Location
Meet Venable Pruitt & Sexton
About Andrew Venable
Andy strives to be very transparent when working with clients to help ensure trust, confidence and understanding.
After graduating from the University of Tennessee, Andy’s career began in fixed income sales in 1991 with First Knoxville. He was a partner with JC Bradford before merging with UBS at which time he was a member of the prestigious Chairman’s Council. Andy and his 9 partners have run their practice with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management since 2008. As an Alternative Investment Director, Andy oversees diversified strategies including alternative management and private equity.
Andy and his wife, Deonna live in Knoxville, TN where they enjoy spending time with their two daughters, Daly and Drew. Andy is active in various community nonprofit organizations and likes to do a little fishing in his spare time.
**Andy was named to Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list from 2019-2024.
**Andy was named to Barron's Top Advisors by State from 2018-2020, Ranking #17 in 2019.
2019-2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2019-2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from
6/30/22-6/30/23.
"2018-2020 Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State (formerly referred to as Barron's Top 1,000 Financial Advisors: State-by-State)
Source: Barrons.com (Awarded 2018-2020). Data compiled by Barron's based on 12-month period concluding in Sept of the year prior to the issuance of the award.
NMLS#: 1282536
About G. Scott Sexton
Scott received a B.S. in Finance from the University of Tennessee and worked for five years on the fixed income (e.g. bonds) side of the business, advising both individuals and institutions. Joining Morgan Stanley and the Venable Pruitt & Sexton Group in 2013, Scott has had the privilege of service his clients for over 30 years.
Scott and his wife Kelli, are active in serving their local community of Knoxville, TN. In their free time, the Sextons enjoy spending quality time with their three adult children and their three grandchildren.
**Scott has been named to Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list from 2019-2024
2019-2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2019-2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from
6/30/22-6/30/23.
NMLS#: 1332011
About R. Lance Pruitt
Lance practiced law for several years before joining the team in 2004. As an attorney, he primarily focused on estate and tax planning, estate administration, defending clients before the IRS and Tennessee Department of Revenue, and corporate planning.* He holds degrees from the University of Tennessee (B.S.), Southern Illinois University School of Law (J.D.), and the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law (LL.M. in Taxation)*. Lance is a member of the Knoxville Bar Association and is an adjunct professor at Tusculum College where he teaches Business Law.
A native of Knoxville, Lance and his wife, Mary have two daughters, Riley and Carson.
*Does not perform this function at Morgan Stanley
2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded April, 2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from
6/30/22-6/30/23.
NMLS#: 1288133
About Jonathan W. Gilliam
Jonathan graduated from the University of North Carolina-Asheville completing a dual major in Business Finance and Pre-Med. He began in the financial industry in 2005 and joined the Venable Pruitt & Sexton Group in 2007. He was named to Forbes' Top Next Gen Wealth Advisors for 2020 and Forbes' Best in State Wealth Advisors for 2022 & 2024.
Jonathan and his wife, Jenny, are proud parents of two sons, Jackson and Hunter, and a daughter, Ellison. Jonathan enjoys watching and playing sports, and all things family.
Forbes America’s Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Sept 2020) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 3/31/20 - 3/31/21.
2022 & 2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2022 & 2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from
6/30/22-6/30/23.
NMLS#: 1278860
About Ryan T. Kelly
Ryan graduated with a degree in Economics from the University of Tennessee in 2004 upon which time he joined the team of what has since evolved to the Venable Pruitt Sexton Group. Ryan, was named to Forbes' Top Next Gen Wealth Advisors for 2020 and Forbes' Best in State Wealth Advisors from 2022-2024.
Ryan and his wife Becca, are natives of Knoxville. The Kellys, including their son Mason and daughter Olivia, are an athletic and energetic family, active in community service and taking every opportunity to enjoy all the great outdoors has to offer, including hunting, wakeboarding and surfing.
2022-2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2022-2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 6/30/22-6/30/23.
Forbes America’s Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors & Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Aug 2020) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 3/31/21 - 3/31/22.
NMLS#: 1272753
About G. Preston Ralston
Preston is a Knoxville native, and graduated from East Tennessee State University with honors, receiving a B.B.A with a concentration in corporate finance.
In 2023, Preston was named as one of Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors for the state of Tennessee.
2023 Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-In-State
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Aug 2023) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 3/31/22–3/31/23.
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/awards-disclosure/
NMLS#: 1689836
About Jacob Dotson
Jacob graduated from New England College in 2017 where he played baseball and earned his M.B.A. in addition to his undergraduate degrees in both Business Administration and Computer Information Systems. In addition to his degrees, Jacob also holds his Series 7 and 66 licenses, along with his Financial Planning Specialist designation.
Jacob and his wife Allison are natives of Connecticut. In their free time they enjoy watching sports, playing golf, and spending time with their dogs Fenway & Maverick.
*This role cannot solicit or provide investment advice.
About Dee Gonzalez
Her thirty years’ experience breaks down into ten years of brokerage operations and twenty years of being a Client Service Associate. During her career, Dee worked in a capital markets arena, which dealt mainly in the bond sector and serviced highly affluent clients and corporations. A large portion of her experience has been in the retail brokerage space in client facing roles.
Dee is a fan of NFL football and loves music. In addition, Dee is a dedicated paddle mate and lead stroker for the Secret City Dragons boat team. From spring till fall, you can find Dee on the water most weekends. She loves to travel with the team to races because they tend to find the quaintest little towns to visit. In her free time, Dee loves being outdoors, spending time with friends and family, and playing card/board games.
About Austin Loven
A University of Tennessee graduate, Austin holds degrees in both Accounting and Finance. In addition to his degrees, Austin maintains both his Series 7 & Series 66 licenses.
As a member of the associate team, Austin will have daily contact with our clients, providing them world class service while also assisting the team in daily operational tasks.
Athletics were a big part of Austin's childhood, and his passion for sports continue to this day. Originally from Greeneville, Tennessee, Austin is thankful for the opportunity to continue to serve his community. In his free time, he enjoys living an active lifestyle, attending Tennessee sporting events, and spending time with friends and family.
About Taylor Shannon
Taylor graduated from the University of Tennessee with an undergraduate degree in Finance. In addition to his degrees, Taylor maintains his Series 7 & 66 licenses.
As a part of our associate team, Taylor assists with many day-to-day tasks, while simultaneously learning our business and getting to know our clients.
Taylor is a born and raised Knoxville native and is proud to call East Tennessee his home. He enjoys Tennessee sporting events, lake activities, golfing, and spending valuable time with friends and family.
About Saydie Holland
While serving as part of our team, Saydie will be an integral part of our associate group as we continue to provide top notch service to all of our clients.
Throughout her collegiate career, Saydie was a member of the women’s soccer team at Ole Miss and Liberty University, the later of which she was named team captain and was recognized as an Academic All American. Originally from Northern Illinois, Saydie enjoys all things Chicago sports. In her free time, Saydie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and spending time on the Tennessee River. Saydie is looking forward to experiencing Knoxville and all of the outdoor activities that come with it.
About Valerie Garland
Valerie and her husband Anthony, reside in Corryton, Tennessee, on Anthony's family farm. They have three children, Spencer (Heather), Kara (Ben), and Casey (Katie), and three grandchildren, Elouise, Rosemary, and Elliot, with a fourth grandson, due any day. Family time is key for the Garlands, which includes weekly dinners together, birthdays and holidays, and annual trips to the beach.

Contact Andrew Venable

Contact G. Scott Sexton

Contact R. Lance Pruitt

Contact Jonathan W. Gilliam

Contact Ryan T. Kelly

Contact G. Preston Ralston
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Investing
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Family
- Estate Planning Strategies
- 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Special Needs Planning
- Trust Services
Business Planning
- Succession Planning
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- Qualified Retirement Plans
Philanthropy
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Wealth Management for Athletes and Entertainers
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Financial Wellness
- Reduce employee stress,
- Improve retention and engagement, and
- Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
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.
2Morgan 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.
3Morgan 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.
4Alternative 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.
5Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or 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 legal matters.
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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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