MSSB Female FAs Take 22 Spots on Barron's Top 100 List

Twenty-two of the Firm's female Financial Advisors have been named to Barron's 2010 "Top 100 Women Financial Advisors" list on the heels of the one-year anniversary of the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney joint venture.

The annual ranking reflects the volume of assets overseen by the advisors and their teams, revenue generated for the firms and the quality of their practices. Last year, the Firm earned 21 spots on the list.

The Firm also ran a congratulatory ad on the front page of the Wall Street Journal on June 9.

President of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Charles Johnston commended the women in an e-mail to all MSSB employees. "This honor is a true reflection of their professionalism, skill and dedication to clients," Johnston said.

Ami Forte, based in Palm Harbor, Fla., took the top spot. Forte, addressing the current market, said the financial crisis has reinforced her ties with her clients. "There is a lot going on in the world, and my clients are interested in keeping an ear open to everything; my job is to help them do that."

Forte and her team were able to boost their assets up by 22 percent from a year ago. Forte recommends straightforward, "free of sizzle" investments and high-quality stocks that pay a reasonable dividend.

Rebecca Rothstein, who earned the number-two spot, discussed how far MSSB has come in the past year since the joint venture.

"Now that we have reached the first anniversary of the joint venture, it has become clear that we have outstanding business partners on the Morgan Stanley side. Management consistently has been available to help us find solutions for our high-net-worth clients that are not only creative but unique to Morgan Stanley," Rothstein said.

The 22 advisors featured in the "Top 100" ranking include:

• #1: Ami Forte, Palm Harbor, Fla.
• #2: Rebecca Rothstein, Beverly Hills, Calif.
• #10: Mary Deatherage, Little Falls, N.J.
• #13: Kimberley Hatchett, New York City
• #17: Karen McDonald, Palo Alto, Calif.
• #40: Erna Morgan McReynolds, Oneonta, N.Y.
• #52: Nancy Cooley, New York City
• #53: Melissa Campbell, Scottsdale, Ariz.
• #56: Martha Adam, Troy, Mich.
• #57: Susan Kingsolver, New York City
• #59: Emily Bach, Orinda, Calif.
• #62: Stephanie Twomey, Menlo Park, Calif.
• #65: Elaina Spilove, Philadelphia
• #73: Kathleen Roeser, Chicago
• #81: Deborah Montaperto, New York City
• #84: Anouchka Balog, Laguna Niguel, Calif.
• #85: Susan Klar, Palo Alto, Calif.
• #86: Nadine Wong, New York City
• #88: Lee Corey, Alexandria, Va.
• #91: Kathleen Weber, Bellevue, Wash.
• #99: Falisha Mamdani, New York City
• #98: Lisa Detanna, Beverly Hills, Calif.