PJ Banazek is a Managing Director and Partner at HighTower. He specializes in managing fixed income portfolios and complex financial planning for Morgia Wealth Management.

Previously, Mr. Banazek worked for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney as a Senior Portfolio Management Director. Earlier in his career, he spent more than 12 years working as a Certified Public Accountant for firms including Firley, Moran, Freer & Eassa, the largest CPA firm in the Central New York region. Mr. Banazek was instrumental in building that firm’s financial institution practice from serving a single client to working with over 20 credit unions, and community-based banking institutions.

At HighTower, Mr. Banazek focuses on managing Morgia Wealth Management’s fixed income assets on behalf of the firm’s clients. He evaluates individual bond investment opportunities and analyzes fixed income assets in the context of client portfolios. In addition, Mr. Banazek plays a significant role in the creation of sophisticated financial plans for Morgia Wealth Management’s clients. His skillset includes estate planning issues, 401(k) plan design, tax-deferred savings opportunities and stock options.

Mr. Banazek currently sits on a number of boards, including The Ives Hill Retirement Community, a not-for-profit organization that operates living facilities for seniors 62 and over, and The Herring College Trust, a scholarship endowment for students pursuing engineering degrees. For the last 15 years he has coached local youth sports, including soccer, Little League, and lacrosse. He served as chairperson for the Watertown YMCA’s corporate giving committee during its fundraising campaign to support facility renovations and a new daycare center.

A graduate of Le Moyne College, Mr. Banazek obtained his CPA license in 1993 and is a member of The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He currently holds the CFP® designation as well as Series 7, 63 & 65 licenses.