Morgan Stanley Complex Manager Kevin McCarty works hard to make sure everyone, “whether Latin American or Asian, black or white, gay, straight or transgender,” feels comfortable.
At Morgan Stanley for 32 years now, Miami Complex Manager Kevin McCarty has “the privilege of managing the single largest complex [by revenue] in the country,” he beams. However, that’s not what makes him the proudest. What does is “being able to foster an inclusive community of employees from different cultures, races and backgrounds.”
Admired across the Firm for leading one of its most diverse complexes, Kevin works hard to make sure everyone has the same inclusive experience that he’s had over the course of his career. “I’ve had an incredible journey at Morgan Stanley,” says Kevin, who is openly gay. He came out at the Firm when he was 30.
“I am who I am,” he adds. “When you’re authentic, honest, caring and empathetic, people respect you the most.” He works hard to make sure everyone, “whether you’re Latin American or Asian, black or white, gay, straight or transgender, feels comfortable speaking about their personal life.”
When you’re authentic, honest, caring and empathetic, people respect you the most.
All About Family
Kevin, an only child who grew up in Hollywood, Fla., is grateful for his family and how they shaped his life. “My parents were high school sweethearts and put each other first for 58-plus years,” including when his father took care of his mother as she fought a long battle with multiple sclerosis. “Her strength was incredible. She never once asked, ‘Why me?’”
As a young boy, Kevin remembers going to work with his hard-working dad on Sundays at the grocery store he managed, a position he worked his way up to from being a bag boy. “I saw the way he respected his employees, no matter what,” says Kevin. “I admired the sacrifices he made to ensure my mom and I had a wonderful life.”
With strength from his mom and loyalty from his dad, Kevin says he’s proud of his 17-year relationship with partner Henri and how the Firm has always embraced him. “Morgan Stanley knows me as a married guy, a divorced guy, a coming-out guy, and a guy who is now happily married to an awesome man. Through all my evolutions, I have always felt supported.”
A popular kid in high school who was class president his junior and senior years, Kevin went on to the University of Florida then met and married his now ex-wife, with whom he remains good friends. Very much into fitness in college, Kevin participated in mini-triathlons and was working out when a gentleman approached him and said, “You seem like a pretty competitive guy; have you ever considered a role on Wall Street?”
Makings of a Manager
Kevin started as an intern, working in the mailroom and fetching cheeseburgers for lunch. Soon, he rotated with a different Financial Advisor each week then was sent to New York as part of the Firm’s training program. The trainee then became licensed and built his practice from scratch. “Others in my training class were smarter and had a better gift of conversation, but nobody was going to outwork me,” Kevin reflects. “I work just as hard today as I did when I first started.”
Motivated to be in management but never wanting to give up his book of business, Kevin became a producing sales manager before being asked to manage an entire branch. Today, he oversees a team of 600, including more than 50 managers, 320 Financial Advisors and 250 service professionals who collectively manage $85 billion in assets.
He takes great pride in being there for every employee and “supporting the growth of our advisors’ practices,” yet makes clear he doesn’t read minds: “Information is power,” he says. “Let’s be extremely clear with one another. I don’t want to overpromise and underdeliver while making sure I’m delegating to talented people who share my vision and can execute.”
Among his team are international advisors and Morgan Stanley’s largest offshore complex. At first, Kevin was concerned his inability to speak Spanish and Portuguese would inhibit his management abilities. “Not being from Latin America, I was worried about a cultural fit with staff and clients coming from Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico and Brazil.” Still, he managed to be “the connector” who brings them the right tools, strategies and research to help build and manage wealth in Latin America. It turns out, “the strength was our differences. Just getting to know those differences actually brought us together.
Every day I try to lead by example and do the right thing. Being named a MAKER is confirmation that I have been doing so.
My Dream Job
Over the last 10 years, Kevin has recruited more than 100 Financial Advisors and has been named Complex Manager of the Year several times. He loves leaning in and “lending a hand to anyone with a diverse background who might not come naturally to this industry,” says Kevin, who has served as a sponsor and mentor to many women as well as LGBT+ employees. “That’s where my time is well spent.” His active support of the LGBT+ community expands beyond the Firm to the greater Miami area, where he also volunteers with Feeding South Florida and other organizations that support underserved communities.
Reflecting on his career, Kevin calls his job at Morgan Stanley “the trifecta: I’m in my home city, I’m at the best firm on Wall Street, and I have my dream job.”
Recently named a Morgan Stanley MAKER, joining a distinguished group of women and men, all nominated by their peers, Kevin is grateful. “One of the most amazing things about being nominated is knowing this is from my peers,” he says. “Every day I try to lead by example and do the right thing. Being named a MAKER is confirmation that I have been doing so.”
