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The discipline of excellence Is a narrow path

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DISCOVER THE DERBEND DIFFERENCE

Chip Beard
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Chip Beard

Partner

Brian Chustz, JD
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Brian Chustz, JD

Partner

Preston Sharpe CFP®, AAMS®
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Preston Sharpe CFP®, AAMS®

Investment Advisor Representative

Nathan Ellyson, CPA
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Nathan Ellyson, CPA

Investment Advisor Representative and Tax Advisor

OUR PROCESS

01

Let's have a conversation

Because of our fiduciary duty to serve our clients' best interests with integrity, you can feel confident discussing your financial goals. We want to sit down and talk about the things that are most important to you and set you up for financial success.

02

We’ll build a plan

Based on your specific needs, we will craft a plan to achieve your financial goals. Our plan will be reasonable and practical in light of your current finances and where you desire to be long-term.

03

We implement your financial plan

In addition to putting your financial plan in place, we also manage your portfolio. Your finances are a journey so we will stay by your side, defending your best interests and recommending changes when needed.

04

Follow through for future success

Keeping our clients on the narrow path often means looking for the best future investment opportunities. We want to help you now and into the future. 

Find Confidence AND Clarity in Your Financial Wellness

At Derbend, we know that highly specialized situations call for highly specialized strategies. We will create a customized plan for you that considers all of the factors that could impact your finances. Our goal is to make a plan that keeps you on the right path to achieve your financial wellness.

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Our Blog

Investment Strategy Update

February 13, 2023

“In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row to row, That mark our place, and in the sky…

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Pieces of the Puzzle

November 30, 2022

The Value of Financial Planning Preston C. Sharpe, CFP® AAMS®   Establishing a successful financial plan is just like putting…

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Summer Intern Paper 2022

September 22, 2022

A 20-Year-Old’s View on the Market In 2019, I started to invest in the market. At the time, I was…

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Investment Strategy Update July 2022

July 29, 2022

The gun is Chinese, paid for with Russian rubles, the steel probably came from a West German factory built by…

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Support You Can Count On

As an independent RIA using TD Ameritrade as a custodian, we have access to innovative technology platforms, advisory resources, and highly secured account systems to protect your assets.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

See Our FAQs

TD Ameritrade, Inc. is one of the firms that we use to custody our client assets. TD Ameritrade, Derbend Asset Management, and the other entities named are separate and unaffiliated firms, and are not responsible for each other's services or policies. TD Ameritrade does not endorse or recommend any advisor and the use of the TD Ameritrade logo does not represent the endorsement or recommendation of any advisor. Brokerage services provided by TD Ameritrade Institutional, Division of TD Ameritrade, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. TD Ameritrade is a trademark jointly owned by TD Ameritrade IP Company, Inc. and The Toronto-Dominion Bank. Used with permission.

Chip Beard - Partner

Chip Beard is the founding partner of Derbend Asset Management. His financial expertise and diverse experience have laid a strong foundation for Derbend. Chip has navigated multiple market cycles for clients successfully. With Chip's guidance, clients' finances have remained secure through the ups and downs of the economy and the ever-shifting market.

Chip attended the University of Arkansas on a football scholarship and received his MBA in 1983. Starting out as a financial consultant, Chip began his career with Merrill Lynch in 1983 and managed a Merrill Lynch branch office through the October 1987 market tumult. In 1990, Chip left the brokerage industry for the venture capital world after buying a fledgling software company named Graphic Data Analysis in Athens, Georgia.  After selling the company, Chip joined The Habersham Group, a private equity investment firm. He established offices for The Habersham Group in Brussels, Belgium, and Lausanne, Switzerland and was responsible for venture capital and private equity projects in Central and Eastern Europe.

After returning to the United States in 2000, Chip worked as a global strategist for Invesco, a large asset management firm in Atlanta. In 2002, he opened Derbend Asset Management in Peachtree City, a suburb of Atlanta. Chip's decades of financial experience combined with his wide global perspective allow him to guide clients effectively to reach their goals.

 

 

Brian Chustz, JD - Partner

Brian Chustz joined Derbend as a partner in 2019. With his impressive background as a veteran, lawyer, and Investment Advisor Representative, Brian brings a diverse perspective and the ability to advocate for clients and their needs. He has a wealth of both legal and financial knowledge to help clients achieve their goals and protect their interests.

Prior to pursuing his degrees, Brian served four years in the U.S. Navy as an avionics technician aboard the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy. While serving in the U.S. Navy, Brian received several awards and honors including the Excellent Academic Performance Award from the U.S. Naval Training Command and the Class Honor Man Award from the U.S. Naval Air Station, Pensacola.

He holds a Bachelor of Science from Louisiana State University as well as a graduate diploma in civil law and juris doctorate degree from Louisiana State University Law School. Additionally, Brian holds the designation of Accredited Asset Management Specialist. Before attending law school, Brian worked as a compliance consultant for an international engineering and consulting firm for four years, specializing in the energy sector.
Prior to entering the finance sector, Brian was a practicing attorney for the Taylor Porter Law Firm located in Baton Rouge, LA. His former legal practice centered on representation for energy, utility, and financial companies in operational compliance, business transactions, and securities litigation.

Before joining Derbend, Brian was a Investment Advisor Representative for Edward Jones from September 2013 until February 2019. Brian resides in Peachtree City, GA with his wife Erin, and daughters Annabelle and Claire. He is privileged to serve on the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, as an advisory board member of the Southern Conservation Trust, as a member of the Board of Governors for The Clubs of Peachtree City, as a member of American Legion Post 50, and as a former co-chair of Fayette County Ducks Unlimited. Brian also maintains an “Of Counsel” position with the Peachtree City law firm of Lawson and Beck.

 

Preston Sharpe CFP®, AAMS® - Investment Advisor Representative

Preston Sharpe joined Derbend as a Registered Investment Advisor in 2019. Prior to joining Derbend, Preston served his clients as a Personal Banker with Wells Fargo as well as a Brokerage Associate with Wells Fargo Advisors.

Preston’s past professional experience includes two years as a corporate training director with Chick-fil-A and experience in the educational field. He brings that same commitment to education when serving his clients at Derbend. Preston believes clients are best served when they fully understand the fundamental investment philosophy employed on their behalf, as well as their comprehensive financial plan.

Preston currently serves as Treasurer for the Pike County Chamber of Commerce.. He graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2006 with his Bachelor’s degree in Education. He lives in Williamson, GA with his wife, Jessica, and their three children, Scarlet, Reagan, and Wesley.

Preston currently holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Accredited Asset Management Specialist™ designations.

 

Nathan Ellyson, CPA - Investment Advisor Representative and Tax Advisor

After fulfilling a life-long dream to work side by side with his father to start and grow a family business, Nathan decided to put his decades of investment, business, and tax expertise to work at Derbend Asset Management in March of 2021. As a former business owner, CPA, and veteran, Nathan brings valuable knowledge and experiences to help meet clients’ needs.

Upon graduation, Nathan worked in public accounting as a tax CPA. His experience includes tax planning, advising on complex tax matters for high-net-worth individuals and their businesses, and resolving federal and state audits. During his time in public accounting, Nathan served in the Georgia Army National Guard. Following his years in public accounting, Nathan, along with his father, started and grew a family business which successfully served the community for over 7 years.

Nathan attended Mercer University on an Army ROTC scholarship and graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Accountancy. Upon graduating and commissioning, he went on to receive his Master of Accountancy from Kennesaw State University. Nathan lives in Peachtree City with his wife, Laura, and their two children, Evan and Harper. In addition to spending time with his family and attending his childrens’ sporting events, Nathan enjoys golfing and fishing.

1. What is a fiduciary?

A fiduciary is a person or an organization that acts on behalf of someone else to manage assets. As such, we have an ethical and legal obligation to our clients to act in their best interest. We will always do our best to provide accurate and complete investment advice while avoiding conflicts of interest.

2. Is there a charge to meet with you?

One of the most important parts of what we do begins with evaluating a potential client’s overall financial picture. Then, once our relationship is solidified, we will continue to meet regularly to ensure your financial plan is up-to-date and that your assets are appropriately invested. Therefore, we offer you comprehensive and confidential meetings free of charge.

3. How are you paid?

As a fiduciary, we are not paid commissions or from any investment companies. This allows us to instill confidence in our clients that we will always act in their best interest. We operate as a fee-based firm, charging a straightforward quarterly fee based on the client’s specific situation.

4. Why do I need a financial plan?

How do you expect to reach your goals without one? We love to see our clients succeed and thrive, which is why we have invested in one of the top financial planning programs, MoneyGuide Pro, which is available to all clients free of charge.

5. Do you prepare taxes?

No. We team with trusted tax partners and your CPA.

7. What are the advantages of working with an independent firm that partners with TD Ameritrade as custodian?

- As an independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), our sole obligation and responsibility is to our clients and not to any other financial companies.

- We offer an efficient and reliable trading platform through TD Ameritrade that ensures trades are executed on demand.

- Client statements are generated and sent directly from the custodian (TD Ameritrade). Additionally, clients have access to their accounts 24/7 online. 

- Checks that are submitted for deposit are made payable to the custodian (TD Ameritrade) and never to our firm or its associates.

- You have the comfort and confidence of working directly with someone who knows and understands your specific situation and goals.

- You have the support of an award-winning and industry leading custodian.

1. What is a fiduciary?

1. What is a fiduciary?

A fiduciary is a person or an organization that acts on behalf of someone else to manage assets. As such, we have an ethical and legal obligation to our clients to act in their best interest. We will always do our best to provide accurate and complete investment advice while avoiding conflicts of interest.

2. Is there a charge to meet with you?

2. Is there a charge to meet with you?

One of the most important parts of what we do begins with evaluating a potential client’s overall financial picture. Then, once our relationship is solidified, we will continue to meet regularly to ensure your financial plan is up-to-date and that your assets are appropriately invested. Therefore, we offer you comprehensive and confidential meetings free of charge.

3. How are you paid?

3. How are you paid?

As a fiduciary, we are not paid commissions or from any investment companies. This allows us to instill confidence in our clients that we will always act in their best interest. We operate as a fee-based firm, charging a straightforward quarterly fee based on the client’s specific situation.

4. Why do I need a financial plan?

4. Why do I need a financial plan?

How do you expect to reach your goals without one? We love to see our clients succeed and thrive, which is why we have invested in one of the top financial planning programs, MoneyGuide Pro, which is available to all clients free of charge.

5. Do you prepare taxes?

5. Do you prepare taxes?

No. We team with trusted tax partners and your CPA.

6. Do you provide legal services?

6. Do you provide legal services?

Not through Derbend. Legal services are provided through The Chustz Law Firm and Lawson, Beck, & Sandlin.

7. Why partner with TD Ameritrade?

7. What are the advantages of working with an independent firm that partners with TD Ameritrade as custodian?

- As an independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), our sole obligation and responsibility is to our clients and not to any other financial companies.

- We offer an efficient and reliable trading platform through TD Ameritrade that ensures trades are executed on demand.

- Client statements are generated and sent directly from the custodian (TD Ameritrade). Additionally, clients have access to their accounts 24/7 online. 

- Checks that are submitted for deposit are made payable to the custodian (TD Ameritrade) and never to our firm or its associates.

- You have the comfort and confidence of working directly with someone who knows and understands your specific situation and goals.

- You have the support of an award-winning and industry leading custodian.

Let's Talk