“Our focus on personal relationships and our Advance and Protect investment strategies align our thinking with that of our clients.
Everyday we strive to help each client move closer to their unique goals.
This is what wealth management should be.” — Derek R. Williams
About Derek
Founder and CIO of Williams Wealth Management Group, Derek personally oversees investment decisions for the firm’s clients. His hands-on approach to portfolio design includes a focus on multi-asset allocation. Derek favors a risk-managed, fundamental approach to value a broad set of global assets, and then allocates portfolios based upon those valuations, which include a proprietary market behavioral analysis.
Since 1996, Derek has worked with individuals, families, and business owners to provide financial and retirement planning, wealth management and transfer, and investment research. Derek holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation. The certification shows that Derek has met rigorous competency standards of education, examination, and experience. Additional ethics and practice standards mean that CFP® professionals have agreed to put their clients’ interest center stage.
Derek founded Williams Wealth Management Group Inc. in 2007. Prior to establishing the firm he worked as an independent advisor with two prominent accounting and financial services firms. A native Floridian and resident of Bradenton since 1973, Derek is an active alumnus of the University of South Florida where he has served on the USF Alumni Association National Board of Directors and USF Bulls Club. He lives in Bradenton with his wife Helena. They have two children, son Tyler and wife Nikki both graduates of the University of Florida, and daughter Reese, a student at Elon University. Derek enjoys the outdoors and sports including golf, football, HIIT training, and fishing.
What’s the best local dive?
Drift-In AMI of course! In 2022, Derek and Helena purchased "The Drift" the legendary Dive Bar located on Historic Bridge Street on Anna Maria Island famously owned by George Herman "Babe" Ruth in the late 1930's.
If you could be on any TV game show, which one would it be?
Bar Rescue! (LOL)
Describe the most incredible view you’ve ever seen.
The cliffs in Ireland, Scotland, and Pebble Beach were amazing, but I loved sharing the moment and the views from the top of the Continental Divide in Colorado with my family.
What is something most people do not know about you?
I am self made. I did not work for a bank or wirehouse or pedal products to clients. I was fortunate to be offered an opportunity to work in a very exclusive firm at a young age and learn the business of advice to complex high net worth clients. Offering a trusted relationship with families and guiding them to reach their goals with no ax to grind is something I'm very proud of.
Education
CFP® Professional Education Program – Ken Zahn CFP®
B.S. Finance and Management Information Systems – University of South Florida
Registrations
Investment Advisor Representative – Williams Wealth Management Group
Life, Health, and Variable Annuity - FL
Member
Financial Planning Association – FPA
Florida West Coast Benefits Council
Manatee Chamber of Commerce
Estate Planning Council of Manatee County
Conquistador Historical Foundation
Hernando De Soto Historical Society (Past Board Member)
USF Alumni Association / Manatee-Sarasota Chapter (Past President)
USF Bulls Club Champions