Brian Runkles | CFP®

Co-Founder | Private Wealth Advisor

Brian is a co-founder of Veridian Capital Partners and brings 27 years of experience to the practice. His years of experience allow him to provide personal financial advice to his clients based on personal experience, as well as his educational background

He graduated from Minnesota State University in 1998, acquiring a BS in Finance with a concentration in Financial Planning.  He then went on to obtain his Certified Financial Planner® designation to further his education.

Brian was born and raised in Frederick County, MD, and enjoys giving back to his community.  He is involved with The Rotary Club of Frederick and has served on various boards of community organizations such as The Weinberg Center for the Arts and The Delaplaine Visual Arts Center.

He is married to his highschool sweetheart, Cristina and they have two sons, Bryson and Ridgely. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing and travelling with his family.

Chandru Ramachandran | MBA, ChFC®, CRPC®, APMA®

Co-Founder | Private Wealth Advisor

Chandru is a co-founder of Veridian Capital Partners and brings 28 years of experience to the practice.  He works with individuals from all walks of life to help them reach their financial goals through sound financial planning and portfolio management.

He graduated from the University of Baltimore with a BS in Business Administration in 1990 and went on to complete his MBA a year later. As a life-long learner, he has continued to hone his skills over the years by obtaining several designations: Chartered Financial Consultant®, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor®, and Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor®.

Chandru resides in Frederick County, MD with his wife Stephanie, sons Sajan and Jeevan, their dogs Star and Sonic, and their cat Alice. When he is not in the office, you can find him at a swim meet, golfing with friends, or trying out a new recipe on his cherished grill.

Brian Williamson

Co-Founder | Private Wealth Advisor

Brian is a co-founder of Veridian Capital Partners. He has been in the private wealth industry since 2012 and brings a depth of knowledge in areas regarding financial management, investment strategy, and estate planning to the clients he serves.

Beyond contemplating efficient asset management – one of Brian’s favorite topics – he can often be found enjoying the great outdoors. He has never found a ski slope he didn’t like and will take to the rivers of the mid-Atlantic year round to enjoy time in his canoe (yes, even in winter). He is also a soccer enthusiast and will gladly share his adoration of Liverpool Football Club with you. 

Brian hails from Western Maryland and claims that this is the best place on earth to live because of the small town feel, big city amenities and a healthy dose of all four seasons to boot. If you’re ever thirsty for a craft beer, take Brian up on his offer to meet you at one of Frederick’s local breweries.

Stephanie Ramachandran

Operations Manager | Financial Planner

Stephanie is Veridian Capital Partners' Operations Manager and one of our Financial Planners.  She brings 23 years of experience to the practice and works with our advisors to create financial strategies to help our clients achieve their goals.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance, from Towson University.  She also has both the Series 7 and Series 66 securities registrations. 

Stephanie resides in Frederick County with her husband and co-founder of VCP, Chandru.  While she spends most of her free time outside the office at her sons' activities, she does enjoy some quiet time to herself with a good book every now and then.

Andrew Ataras AIF®

Associate Financial Advisor

Andy is a Financial Advisor with Veridian Capital Partners, and has been with the practice since 2013 after having worked with us as a Client Service Associate from 2003 through 2006.  His current licenses include the Series 7 and Series 66 securities registrations, along with his Life, Health, and Variable Insurance license.

Born and raised in Maryland, Andy graduated from St. Mary's college of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts in 1999.  An accomplished classical pianist, he has taught privately for 20 years and enjoys helping pianists of all ages discover the lifelong joy of music.

He lives just outside of Frederick with his wife Melissa and their two cats, The Squeaky One and Ana.

Sarah Hofman

Financial Planner

Sarah, a Financial Planner for Veridian Capital Partners, has been with the practice since 2014.  She has over 15 years of industry experience and works with various clients to help them implement their financial goals. 

She graduated from Towson University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management.  She also has her Series 7 and Series 66 securities registrations, along with her Life/Health Insurance license.  

Sarah was raised in Montgomery County and after being away for 15 years, returned to Maryland to make her home in Frederick County along with her sons Andrew and Landon.  In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and watching her boys on the soccer field.

Katelyn Kantruss

Paraplanner

Katelyn, a Paraplanner for Veridian Capital Partners, has been a valuable member of Brian Williamson’s team since 2020.  She possesses a Series 65 license and has over 10 years of industry experience that enables her to help our clients implement their financial goals.

She graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics.  

Katelyn was raised in Carroll County and after being away for 4 years, she and her husband returned to Maryland to raise their boys with family close by.  In her free time, Katelyn enjoys spending time with her family, traveling (the jersey shore, Boston, and New Orleans are her spots), and cheering on the Penn State Nittany Lions (WE ARE!).

Lyndsay Rudolph FPQP®

Paraplanner
Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional

Lyndsay started with the Veridian Capital Partners team as one of our Client Services Associates in 2021 and has recently obtained her Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional designation, which has deepened her commitment to providing our clients with sound advice.

With her 25 years of extensive background in client services, Lyndsay brings great value to our team. She thoroughly enjoys building client relationships and is looking forward to the years ahead with Veridian Capital Partners. 

On her free time, you can find her enjoying time with her son, family, and friends.  She loves to travel, is an avid runner, and there isn't a book she won't read.

Dana Athey

Senior Client Service Coordinator

Dana has been an important part of Brian Runkles' team  for the last 20 years.  She is one of his Senior Client Service Coordinators and she looks forward to continuing her relationship with the clients of Veridian Capital Partners.  Teamwork is our motto and we always look out for each other.

Born and raised in Montgomery County, she decided to make Frederick her home in 1977.  She has enjoyed 23 years of marriage to her husband, Gary.  She has three adult children, Taylor, Ryan, and Kristin, and nine grandchildren!

She loves to travel, spending time on a sandy beach or quiet cabin in the woods.  Give her sun or snow, and a house full of family and she is in her happy place.  Reading and crafting are some of her hobbies, and family game night is always fun! 

Lisa Henley

Client Services Associate

Lisa, a Client Services Associate, is the newest face at Veridian Capital Partners.  She comes to VCP with a robust background in Office Management and Human Resources. She plays a crucial role at our firm, with her depth of knowledge and willingness to take on big projects. 

In her free time, Lisa enjoys refinishing furniture, painting and gardening.  

Debbra Dunn

Client Services Associate

Debbra has been with Veridian Capital Partners since 2016 and is the first face you see when you walk in the door.  You can count on her to greet you with a smile and assist you in any way, whether on the phone or in person.

She has received her Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration.  Debbra has many years of customer service experience, along with sales and purchasing, but her main interest is in finance and business.

When not in the office, Debbra enjoys making home improvements, painting, art and music, exercising, and being on the water.  Volunteering is something close to her heart and she takes great pleasure in helping her church, providing food for the hungry, and being a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in the foster care system.

Debbra is married to Michael and has three grown step-children, two daughter-in-laws, and four grandchildren.  They are the best!

Finley Williamson

Office Intern

Finley is a tremendous asset to the VCP team, working diligently alongside her dad, Brian Williamson, and bringing smiles to her colleagues by offering up a toy in exchange for head and ear scratches. She will never tell you, but Finley is famous. She was selected as one of Redtail's Best Paw Forward monthly winners. Her picture is featured on their login-in page and social media sites. When Finley is not posing for the paw-parazzi she is can be found spending time with her family, playing in the water, hiking and exploring outside or simply cuddling on the sofa inside.

Being this cute can be a “ruff” job, but Finley handles it with ease.