Stewarding Wealth
with Purpose
and Principle
We manage financial resources with intention, responsibility, and a long-term perspective.
Biblical stewardship isn’t just about growing wealth—it’s about using it wisely to create lasting impact. By applying time-tested financial principles rooted in discipline and thoughtful planning, we help simplify the complexities of wealth management while maximizing returns. Our approach ensures that financial success isn’t just measured in numbers but in the meaningful legacy it creates for future generations.
We are an independent registered investment advisor (RIA) wholly owned by a charitable trust. This intentional structure ensures that Castellan will be around for you and for future generations.
Our Values
Click the leaves to learn more
Our Values
Click the leaves to learn more
Continuous Learning
We work to be the best at all we do. We are never static. We continuously learn and improve the process.
Humility
We always start and end with what is right. We live up to our word and deliver on promises.
Compatibility
We create a long-term partnership by ensuring our goals are aligned with those of our clients.
Accountability
We are faithful to our process. We set key performance indicators that hold us accountable to our clients.
Transparency
We make our process, operations, and results fully visible to our clients always.
Rooted in Biblical Stewardship
Our core values are rooted in our desire to honor God with our careful and responsible management of the resources entrusted to our care.
Our expertise across the following areas allows us to navigate complex financial landscapes, identify strategic opportunities, and steward resources with intention—ensuring long-term success and lasting impact.
Family
Office
Comprehensive financial oversight, wealth planning, and legacy management tailored to multi-generational families.
Investment
Management
Strategic, disciplined wealth management designed to optimize returns while aligning with long-term financial goals.
Private
Equity
Building value through strategic investments in established companies, fostering growth, efficiency, and long-term success.
Venture
Capital
Investing in high-potential startups and early-stage businesses to drive innovation and long-term growth.
Our Team
Barry Brauch
Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer
Barry began his career as a CPA at Deloitte & Touche and later held senior finance and CFO roles at Fifth Third Bancorp. He co-founded Castellan in 2018 after leading a successful recapitalization, restructuring, and sale of American Founders Bancorp, delivering significant returns to investors.
Brian Cohoon
Director of Wealth Management
Brian has over 30 years of experience in financial, estate, and trust planning. Before joining Castellan Group, he held senior roles at regional trust companies, launched a financial planning division for a publicly traded bank, and helped establish an independent insurance agency.
Nate Kibby
Vice President – Private Investments
Nate joined Castellan in 2022 after earning his MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He focuses on deal sourcing, due diligence, and closing venture capital investments in healthcare technology, with prior experience in investment banking and leveraged loans.
Kevin Storn
Director of Portfolio Management
Kevin is the Director of Portfolio Management at Castellan, overseeing analysis software, automated trading systems, and investment strategies. With a background in engineering, software development, and entrepreneurship, he joined Castellan in 2019.
Ben Davison
Senior Associate – Investment Strategy
Ben is an analyst on Castellan’s public investments team, focusing on quantitative research, strategy development, and data analysis. He has a strong background in financial engineering and modeling and contributes to software projects for database management and derivatives strategies.
John Riney
Senior Associate – Private Investments
John started his career in investment banking before moving into private equity and private credit investing at Falcon Investment Advisors. At Castellan, he focuses on sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities, managing due diligence, and supporting portfolio companies.
Kate Ponder
Director of Client Services
Kate is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in client services, back-office operations, and compliance support. She holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Mount Holyoke College, where she also majored in Mathematics and Biological Sciences while excelling as a Division III lacrosse captain and field hockey player.
Grayson Gladu
Real Estate
Grayson joined Castellan in 2022 after graduating from the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. He initially led Castellan’s single-family rental platform before transitioning to PTM Partners/Inception Equities, a Castellan portfolio company, where he focuses on commercial real estate investment strategy and execution. Grayson has deep expertise in capital markets, public securities, and macroeconomics.
Ethan Bednarczyk
Accounting Manager
Ethan joined Castellan in April 2025 and oversees accounting for the firm and its affiliates. Previously, he was a multifamily accountant at a real estate development firm. He holds a B.B.A. in Accounting and an M.B.A. from Eastern Kentucky University.
