The Trust Point Young Professionals (TPYP) group met in La Crosse on Tuesday, March 3rd for their first quarter 2026 event. The theme for this quarter’s meeting was “Making the Most of Your Time.”
“Think Like a CEO”: Leadership Lessons from Trust Point Executives
The groups’ “Think Like a CEO” activity with Randy Van Rooyen, CFA®, CEPA®, Senior Vice President of Strategic Relationships and Bill Bosch, President and CEO, focused on “Making the Most of Your Time.”
Randy and Bill shared that they were the most efficient, productive, and focused during the busiest period of their lives and have continued to apply the lessons learned during that time throughout their careers. Randy emphasized that TPYP members have a valuable opportunity to take on responsibility within the group, allowing them to develop and strengthen their time management skills in a supportive environment. Randy and Bill also spoke about the positive impact volunteering has had on their lives, providing personal growth, valuable experience, and deeper involvement within the community.
Welcoming the TPYP Group to the UW–La Crosse Campus
During the lunch break, TPYP members were welcomed to the UW-La Crosse campus by Chancellor James Beeby and Professor TJ Brooks, Dean of UWL’s College of Business Administration. Both were happy to hear that there are a number of UWL alumni in the group!
Time Management Insights from Senior Fiduciary Officer Blake Barnes
Following lunch, the TPYP group was joined by Trust Point’s Senior Fiduciary Officer Blake Barnes, JD, CPA. Blake shared that his career began at a Big Four accounting firm in Minneapolis, and after about a year, he returned to La Crosse to join Trust Point as a Relationship Manager. During the interview process, he was drawn to Trust Point’s commitment to workplace culture and its strong emphasis on integrity. During his time at Trust Point, Blake has held several roles and steadily taken on new responsibilities. After eight years as a relationship manager, he transitioned into a compliance officer role, which allowed him to work with multiple departments and gain broader exposure to the industry. After a few years in compliance, he moved into the role of Family Office Trust and Tax Specialist before stepping into his current position as Senior Fiduciary Officer.
Across these roles, Blake has found that a key to having good time management is to have clear communication to ensure that expectations and timelines are understood so priorities can be managed effectively. He also noted the importance mentorship has had in his career, both formal and informal, and the opportunity Trust Point employees have to learn from the expertise of their peers. Finally, he encouraged members to stay open-minded and embrace new challenges, particularly in a growing organization like Trust Point, where opportunities frequently arise and leadership supports employees in taking on new roles and responsibilities.
Behind the Scenes: Understanding Trust Point’s Hiring Process
The Young Professionals then participated in a cross-training activity led by Laney Peterson, Recruiting and Development Coordinator, to gain a deeper understanding of Trust Point’s hiring process. HR takes the responsibility of hiring the right people very seriously, both for the benefit of clients and fellow coworkers. From the moment an applicant applies to their first day at Trust Point, HR completes a detailed process to ensure each candidate is carefully evaluated and well prepared for their role.
Setting Professional Goals for the Year Ahead
To wrap up the day, TPYP members spent time developing their individual goals for 2026.
The time management skills introduced during this quarter’s session will serve as valuable tools as members continue their professional development.
