The Rise of the Underdog: Ted Pick’s Extraordinary Journey to Potential CEO at Morgan Stanley

In the world of high finance, where the stakes are sky-high and competition is fierce, there are stories that defy convention, tales of individuals who rise from humble beginnings to take the helm of financial giants.

The remarkable journey of Ted Pick, a man whose career has been marked by tenacity, innovation, and a relentless commitment to Morgan Stanley, is a prime example of such a narrative.

Pick’s path to potential CEO at Morgan Stanley began in an unconventional manner. He was the last addition to his analyst class, joining the firm three decades ago. As a young recruit, his first taste of Wall Street was far from glamorous; he found himself in a cramped room filled with the acrid scent of a datafeed machine. This was a world away from the boardrooms and corner offices that symbolize the finance industry.

However, it was precisely this unassuming beginning that laid the foundation for Pick’s incredible ascent. He embarked on a journey that took him through various facets of the financial sector, experiencing the rough-and-tumble trading floor, the exhilarating world of hot tech IPOs, and the dynamics of capital markets.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions, last month, Morgan Stanley elevated Ted Pick to the position of co-president, positioning him just one step away from potentially becoming the CEO of the esteemed institution.

Pick’s journey to this pivotal moment in his career is marked by significant achievements and noteworthy transformations. His leadership style, once characterized by bluntness and profanity, has evolved into a more polished and refined manner.

This transformation reflects not only his growth as a leader but also his ability to adapt and thrive in the ever-changing landscape of finance.

One of Pick’s most significant accomplishments at Morgan Stanley is the revitalization of the equities division. When he assumed leadership, the unit was struggling, losing clients and grappling with questions about its viability.

Under Pick’s guidance, the equities unit transformed from a struggling segment into a formidable powerhouse. It achieved the prestigious rank of No. 1, a testament to Pick’s ability to lead and inspire his team.

In the journey of revitalizing Morgan Stanley’s equities division, Pick displayed a unique leadership style. He was unafraid to make bold moves to drive change.

One such example is when he became concerned about the size of another executive’s office, which he deemed too extravagant for the position. His response was characteristically audacious: he called in a construction crew over the weekend to have the walls moved, effectively reducing the office size.

Following his success in equities, Ted Pick faced the challenge of resuscitating the fixed-income division, a segment that had perennially struggled to keep pace with larger rivals. He took the helm of this division in 2015 and initiated a series of transformative measures, including reducing the workforce by almost a quarter.

The subsequent recovery of the division has been hailed as a success story, underscoring Pick’s ability to revitalize even the most challenging areas of the business.

In 2018, Pick was entrusted with additional oversight of the firm’s dealmaking unit, a significant responsibility that he approached with his characteristic determination. Under his leadership, the mandate was clear: do not break it.

While other challenges have arisen, including the prime brokerage division’s significant loss in the wake of the Archegos Capital Management collapse, Pick remains committed to managing risk effectively and achieving success.

Despite his meteoric rise, Ted Pick has not lost touch with his roots. His office serves as a shrine to Morgan Stanley, with memorabilia from previous leaders and a cherished collection of spy novels. His dedication to the company and his colleagues is unwavering, and he is known for his passion and straightforward approach to leadership.

His impact extends beyond the walls of Morgan Stanley. Notably, Blackstone Group Inc., a global investment giant, enlisted Morgan Stanley to lead its initial public offering in 2007 based largely on Pick’s reputation and expertise.

Pick’s ability to inspire confidence and make bold decisions has left a lasting impression on those he has worked with.

Roberto Mignone, a hedge fund manager and a close friend of Pick, described his straightforward and passionate approach, stating, “That’s not exactly out of a corporate communications handbook in terms of motivation, but it shows you he’s very straightforward and passionate about his job. What you see is what you get.”

Ted Pick’s early life in Venezuela, where his father worked for a few years, provided the backdrop for his eventual entry into finance.

He studied at Middlebury, a private liberal arts college in Vermont, and it was there that he took the first steps towards a career in the industry. Remarkably, his college cohort included the son of S. Parker Gilbert, the former Morgan Stanley chairman who had taken the firm public in 1986.

This connection eventually led to an interview at Morgan Stanley, making it the institution that would become Pick’s lifelong home, apart from a brief stint in business school.

Today, Ted Pick operates from the 40th floor of Morgan Stanley’s headquarters, just a few doors down from CEO James Gorman and the leadership team.

His co-president, Andy Saperstein, is a longtime confidant of Gorman, responsible for running the firm’s massive wealth-management operations, making him another credible candidate for the CEO position.

What sets Ted Pick apart is his unwavering commitment to Morgan Stanley’s image as a scrappy underdog. During a visit to Goldman Sachs, one of the firm’s chief rivals, Pick couldn’t resist swiping a pencil and later lamented that even their stationery was superior.

He once recounted an encounter with Lloyd Blankfein, the former CEO of Goldman Sachs, where he introduced himself as working for a small firm that Blankfein had probably never heard of. When Blankfein took the bait, Pick delivered the punchline: “Morgan Stanley.”

Ted Pick’s journey from a modest beginning to the precipice of potentially becoming the CEO of Morgan Stanley is an inspiring narrative of resilience, adaptability, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence.

As he stands on the brink of taking the reins of one of the financial world’s most iconic institutions, all eyes are on Ted Pick, the underdog who has become a dominant force in the world of finance.

His story is a testament to the enduring power of dedication and determination, a reminder that success is not determined by where you start but by how you rise above the challenges along the way.