Following a transition year in the making, Trust Point is starting 2021 with a new, but familiar, leadership team.
Bill Bosch, previously chief development and strategy officer, is now the company’s president, succeeding Kent Handel in that role. Handel will remain CEO and chairman of Trust Point’s board of directors. Brian Koopman, CFP®, CPA, previously senior vice president, is the company’s first chief operating officer.
During Handel’s two-decade tenure as president and CEO, the company has experienced exponential growth—increasing assets under management from roughly 850 million to nearly 6 billion. The La Crosse-based company also added offices in Minneapolis and Eau Claire during that time.
Handel, who will remain very involved in the business, says the transition process has been well planned and carefully executed, noting that Bosch and Koopman are each Trust Point veterans who have already played a big role in getting the company to where it is today.
“They are a very good team. They complement each other exceptionally well,” Handel said. “Bill is a high-energy professional who sees the big picture and Brian has a knack for digging into the details. I see my role now as one of mentorship—supporting them as we move into this new chapter.”
A key initiative moving forward is Trust Point’s investment in technology advancements aimed at enhancing and simplifying the client experience. It’s a shift Bosch is excited about as a way to build upon the company’s long-standing investment in relationship development.
“Technology is really reshaping our industry and we’re setting the stage for the future,” Bosch said. “The way I like to think about it is we already have a really great team and now they will be further supported by the best technology. Being there for our customers has been essential to our growth and we will continue to find new ways to better serve them.”
Bosch also emphasized a continued commitment to community partnership as well as providing opportunities for growth internally, initiatives Handel has prioritized. Bosch earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse and started his career at Trust Point in 2000 as an operations intern and gained experience in a wide range of roles before becoming president. He credits a strong company culture that fostered personal growth and lasting relationships with colleagues and clients for his long tenure.
“I was given many opportunities to gain valuable experiences early on in my career,” Bosch said. “And what you will see as this organization continues to evolve is that we’re trying to give other people opportunities—to pay it forward.”
Koopman has also worked at Trust Point for the last 20 years, and previously served as a supervisor and staff accountant at RSM US LLP (Formally known as McGladrey & Pullen) in the La Crosse office. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse and is a CPA and a Certified Financial Planner®.
“I am honored to be part of a company that is committed to our clients, co-workers, and our communities,” Koopman said. “Trust Point has been a pillar of strength for over 100 years by doing what is in the best interest of our clients, and building strong, lasting relationships. We will use the past to build on our future.”
