History
The Asset Exchange was created by a group of Attorneys, CPAs and Financial Advisors that identified a need to provide a solution for our clients who were selling businesses, real estate, or other highly appreciated assets. We recognized the general frustration of owners that were unable to exit their positions without their hard-earned wealth either eroded through exorbitant taxes or jeopardized by existing tax planning solutions.
We believe you deserve to keep the wealth you’ve spent a lifetime building. That’s why we have created solutions that enable our clients to develop a personalized strategy to defer their capital gains taxes and keep their pretax wealth earning income. We strive to serve our clients with unparalleled insight and incomparable service.
The Experts
Managing Member - Lead attorney
Russell Lombardy II, Esq. LL.M.
Russ currently serves as a managing member and lead exchange attorney at The Asset Exchange. He is also owner and founder of Monarch Wealth Attorneys. Russ built his legal career in New York where he worked for a well known international tax law firm designing large estate plans. He was then recruited by one of the Big Four accounting firms as a federal tax manager to service their largest corporate clients. Russ has a significant amount of international planning experience as he has transacted business in well over 50 countries.
Russ has extensive experience working with wealthy families and successful business owners. His practice centers on asset protection, wealth transfer, complex estate planning and legal services for entrepreneurs (with the related corporate and partnership taxation planning).
Education
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
LL.M. – Master of Laws Degree in Taxation
ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor (Concentration in tax law), 1997
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
B.S., Physical Sciences(Physics, Computer Science, and Mathematics), 1994
Activities & Affiliations
Boulder County Estate Planning Council, 2005 – 2015
MemberBoulder County Bar Association, 2005 – to present
MemberColorado Bar Association, 2005 – to present
Member
Bar Admissions
New York - 1998, Colorado - 2004
client services- Tax and reporting, lead cpa
R. Douglas DeFrain, CPA
Since 1993, Doug DeFrain has been practicing public accounting. His accounting career began at Arthur Andersen LP in Kansas City, Missouri where he worked as Manager for eight years.
In 2010, Doug formed R. Douglas DeFrain CPA LLC, to provide tax consulting and compliance services to clients of closely held businesses. While working in this capacity, he experienced the overwhelming burden many of his clients had when faced with the tax consequence of selling their businesses. Doug joined The Asset Exchange team in order to meet the needs of small to medium size business owners and help mitigate this challenge.
In 2015, Doug became the principal owner of DeFrain & Million CPAs LLC and continues to deliver outstanding accounting services to local, national and international clients. Doug’s accounting expertise includes:
Professional Organizations
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Member of Accounting Student Association
Member of the Overland Park, KS Chamber of Commerce
Member of Phi Sigma Kapp
Education
Central Missouri State University
B.S., Business Administration
Areas of Expertise
Counseling business owners and executives to increase the return on their wealth by taking full advantage of tax planning opportunities
Consulting and tax planning for closely held and publicly traded companies with an emphasis on family, domestic and international tax issues.
Directing clients in the areas of incorporating; tax due diligence; FAS 109; consolidated corporations; and the taxation of Sole Proprietorship's, Partnerships, S-Corporations, C-Corporations and Trusts.
Structuring Executive Compensation
Managing Member- Sales & Marketing
Eric Veve, AAMS®, CEPA®, AIF®
Eric has spent over 15 years working in the financial services industry. Working mostly with high net worth individuals that often own small to medium size businesses, he has a unique understanding of the transition from owning a business to enjoying the fruits of one's labor. Over the last decade, Eric has seen the importance of tax planning and proactive strategies to help limit the tax burden when selling a business. Eric helped found The Asset Exchange LLC, sharing in the company’s views. He believes that helping to mitigate the tax consequence of selling an appreciated asset, while gaining asset protection, is often in the best interest of his clients.
Eric was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado and now lives in Erie, Colorado with his wife and their three beautiful children. He attended college at Metropolitan State University of Denver, while serving in the US Army National Guard. Eric holds the AAMS® (Accredited Asset Manager Specialist), the CEPA® (Certified Exit Planning Advisor), and the AIF® Accredited Investment Fiduciary accreditations.
Managing Member- Sales & Marketing
Trent Culver, ChFC®
Trent has spent over 25 years working in the financial services industry. Working with highly successful clients who are generally business owners, he has a strong understanding of the tax implications that often ensue during and after the sale of a business. Trent realizes and understands the importance of tax planning and proactive strategies to deal with limiting the burden. Trent helped found The Asset Exchange LLC, because he believes in the companies views, ideals and principals of helping clients keep what they've worked so hard to create.
Trent is a Colorado Native currently living Denver, Colorado. He is an avid Fly Fisherman and a Private Pilot and often enjoys sharing these experiences with many of his clients. Trent’s education includes a ChFC designation from American College and a BA in Economics from the University of Colorado.
Business Development/client Relationship Manager
Niki Larson, M.Acct.
Niki’s experience in the financial services industry has prepared her to offer the highest level of excellence to the client relationship. Whether it is a business to business client or the end client. Focusing on communication, details, and delivering results, Niki meets the highest level of expectations in customer service. With her responsibilities in managing many aspects of client development and relationship, she is committed to the highest level of service and care. Niki thrives on open communication while assuring clients have the best possible experience.
Niki holds her Masters Degree in Accounting, as well as her Bachelors of Science, with concentration in Accounting. In her free time she enjoys making memories with her Husband and their two beautiful children. She is a native of Colorado and loves the active lifestyle it provides.