Our Fixed Income Approach
Our fixed income process is based on a multi-faceted, total return methodology that focuses on four key components of fixed income portfolio construction: duration management, yield curve positioning, sector rotation, and security selection. Our goal is to add value and control risk in each component in order to deliver superior risk-adjusted returns through all phases of the economic and interest rate cycles.
We base our investment decisions on an objective study of relationships compared to current market conditions. Our duration and yield curve positioning are driven by an analysis of the current level of inflation-adjusted yields against their historical levels and the relative steepness of the interest rate curve. This perspective is also enhanced by analyzing the shape and level of the short-term yield curve, which is also a good indicator of future Federal Reserve policy.
Sector allocation decisions are determined by the current yield advantage in the market compared to historical valuations, as well as the perceived risk for the sector. In selecting securities, we seek to find undervalued securities in each market (based on their level of risk and liquidity) with cash flow characteristics that meet the portfolio's objectives.
Meet the Team
Matthew R. Boden, CFA
Matt serves as a Portfolio Manager on the firm's Fixed Income investment team. Prior to joining Buckhead Capital in 2015, he spent ten years with StableRiver Capital Management where he was responsible for managing $2 billion in fixed-income assets for corporate, pension, endowment, foundation, and municipal clients. Before joining StableRiver, he worked for both ValuBond Securities and JP Morgan. Matt holds a CFA charter and is a member of both the CFA Institute and the CFA Society Atlanta. He is also an Associate Member of the Georgia Government Finance Officers Association. He earned a B.S. degree in Management Science and Information Systems from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA in Finance from Georgia State University. Matt is married and has two children. In his spare time, he enjoys skiing and playing golf.
Harold F. (Rick) Nelson
Rick serves as a Portfolio Manager on the firm's Fixed Income investment team. Prior to joining Buckhead Capital Management, he was the CEO/CIO of StableRiver Asset Management, a fixed income boutique with $9 billion in assets under management. Before becoming the CEO/CIO of StableRiver (which was owned by SunTrust Bank until June, 2014), Rick was a Managing Director at Trusco Capital Management. He began his career at Wachovia Asset Management, where he rose to the position of Senior Vice President. Rick earned a B.S. degree in Business Management from St. Francis College and his MBA in Finance from Mercer University. He is also an Associate Member of the Georgia Government Finance Officers Association. Rick and his wife have four children and eight grandchildren. He enjoys playing golf and spending time at the lake.
Brett C. Snavely, CPA
Brett serves as a Research Analyst on the firm's Fixed Income investment team. Prior to joining Buckhead Capital, Brett spent over 13 years at Nardella & Taylor, a full-service CPA firm. Most recently, in his role as a Senior Manager at Nardella & Taylor, he was a leader of the field examination teams, responsible for performing collateral audits and business analysis for asset-based loans. Brett earned a B.S. degree in Accounting from Providence College and a Masters in Finance from University of Southern New Hampshire. Brett is a Certified Public Accountant. In his spare time, Brett enjoys spending time with his three children, coaching baseball and basketball, and playing golf.
Chad Stephens
Chad serves as a Portfolio Manager on the firm's Fixed Income investment team. Prior to joining Buckhead Capital Management, he spent 15 years with Stable River Capital Management where he specialized in securitized products on a fixed-income team that managed over $9 billion for institutional clients and mutual funds. Prior to joining StableRiver (owned by SunTrust Bank until June 2014), Chad worked for Wachovia Securities in fixed-income trading for seven years. He began his career with South Carolina National Bank as a credit analyst after graduating from the College of Charleston with a B.S. in Business. Chad and his wife enjoy international travel.
Kathryn G. Stratton, CFA
Kathy serves as a Portfolio Manager on the firm's Fixed Income and High Net Worth investment teams. Prior to joining Buckhead Capital in 2007, she was a Partner and Portfolio Manager with Invesco, specializing in fixed income, equity, and balanced fund management for institutional clients. Kathy began her career with Bank of America and has more than twenty five years of investment experience. She earned a B.S. in Psychology from Vanderbilt University. Kathy holds a CFA charter and is a member of both the CFA Institute and the CFA Society Atlanta. She is also an Associate Member of the Georgia Government Finance Officers Association. Kathy is a sustaining member of the National Charity League. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, travel, and time with her husband and three daughters.