Our Team
Thomas Barnes
Tommy Barnes joined Nida Financial Group in January of 2017. He is a native of Rome, Georgia, and has lived in Cartersville for the past 20 years. He graduated from North Carolina State University and began his career in the paper industry as an engineer with Georgia Kraft Company in Rome. During his 35- year career in the paper industry Tommy enjoyed numerous assignments of increasing responsibility including managing a $110 million upgrade of the Rome facility, and managing production at the company’s mill in Orange, Texas. Tommy recently retired from International Paper in Rome where he was the Operations Manager.
Tommy has always enjoyed financial planning and investment analysis on a personal level. Now, as a member of Nida Financial Group, Tommy shares Chuck’s vision to help others by cultivating valued relationships that positively impact you, your family, your legacy and your community.
Tommy is an active member of Tabernacle Baptist Church where he and his wife, Vicki, enjoy teaching a Life group. Tommy and Vicki have three children, Daniel, Liz, and Hannah.
Derek Keeney
Derek Keeney joined Nida Financial Group in July of 2019. He has lived in Cartersville since 1993. Derek graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with an electrical engineering degree in 1989 and began his career in manufacturing with Milliken & Company in Thomson, Georgia. Over his 30-year career in manufacturing Derek worked in many roles including maintenance, engineering, and operations for a variety of companies including Milliken, Kimberly Clark, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Tyco, and Doehler North America. Derek received his MBA in accounting from University of Phoenix in 2005.
Derek has a passion for finance and coaching and considers it a blessing to serve our clients with Nida Financial Group.
Derek and his wife Beth are active members of Sam Jones Memorial United Methodist Church. They have three sons, Daniel, Luke and Tyler. Derek has been active in the community having served as a board member of the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce and the Cartersville-Bartow Youth Soccer Association. He is currently serving on the board of the Etowah Scholarship Foundation, Chair of the Cartersville-Bartow Salvation Army, and as president of the Bartow County Rotary Club.
Daniel Keeney
Daniel Keeney re-joined Nida Financial Group in the summer of 2023. Daniel got his start in investments through a summer internship with Nida Financial Group in 2019, where he was mentored by Chuck Nida, Tommy Barnes, and Derek Keeney. This internship helped to solidify his calling to finance and investment management. After graduating from Kennesaw State University in 2019 with a degree in Finance, Daniel went on to work in Atlanta for 3 years as an advisor consultant with Invesco, where he consulted on traditional equity and fixed income instruments along with alternative investments while serving a major wealth territory.
Daniel and his wife Athena live in Marietta. In his free time, Daniel enjoys golf, soccer, traveling, and visiting restaurants and breweries.
Trina DeFoor
Trina began her career in the financial industry working in the back office for a local Broker Dealer. Prior to joining Nida Financial Group, she worked for a financial advisory office assisting 4 advisors. She now uses those skills to help with day-to-day client support services. Trina resides in Dallas, GA with her husband Danny DeFoor. Trina enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching Georgia Bulldogs football games. Trina’s duties include assisting with customer service, digital entry, monitoring compliance and marketing.
Sarah "Liz" Barnes
Liz Barnes joined Nida Financial Group in August of 2021. She is a native of Cartersville, Georgia and a graduate of North Georgia College and State University. Liz began her career as an Athletic Trainer at Shorter University where she served for 7 years in Athletics and 2 years in Student Affairs. Liz also holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Shorter University and a Masters of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Liz is a member of West Rome Baptist Church and serves as the team chaplain for the softball team at Shorter University.