High-performing + Forward-thinking
More than financial planners - we are your financial partners.
No matter what surprises life may bring, our team ensures that you have the one-on-one support and expertise you'll need to help sustain your wealth, legacy, and financial wellbeing.
Trost Wealth Management, left to right: Daniel Trost, CFP®, CWS®, Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor; Lexie Bass, CWS®, FPQP™, Senior Associate Financial Advisor
Daniel Trost, CFP®, CWS®
Senior Vice President
"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today."
— PROVERB
With an economics and banking background, Dan brings a wealth of diverse experience and a heart for service to his work with clients. The process he and his team developed helps families define and meet their financial goals by focusing on investment management, retirement planning, insurance needs analysis, tax planning, estate and wealth transfer planning, and charitable gifting strategies. Dan goes above and beyond for his clients throughout every season of their financial, professional, and personal lives to help them achieve success and peace of mind. “We’ll do anything we can to help our clients meet their goals, and I truly mean that.” His straightforward advice and carefully constructed strategies are always aligned with his clients’ best interests.
"I always try to be optimistic about the future — a perspective that may look flawed during difficult times but one that has always been proven right in the long run."
Throughout his 20-plus years in the financial services industry, Dan has dedicated himself to continually elevating his expertise and capacity to deliver exceptional results through personalized service. Dan has been with D.A. Davidson & Co since 2008.
When he’s not connecting with clients or crunching numbers, you may see Dan biking up Mt. Ascension with his earbuds in listening to finance and science podcasts. He may seem pretty straight-laced these days, but if you listen closely, you might hear some metal through his office door — he played drums in a Metallica cover band in his college days. Born and raised in Great Falls, Montana, Dan lives in Helena with his wife, Cassie, and three boys, Lucas, Aaron, and Isaiah. Together, they love to go hiking, camping, and boating, and Dan enjoys trying to keep up with his sons as they rapidly become better mountain bikers than he is. Stay tuned for the family’s next adventures — his bucket list includes taking everyone mountain biking and skiing at Whistler, and visiting Ireland, Greece, and Costa Rica with Cassie.
EDUCATION
• Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in Applied Economics, Montana State University
• Graduate Degree in Banking, earned at Stonier Graduate
School of Banking, Georgetown University
CERTIFICATIONS
• Certified Financial PlannerTM (CFP®)
• Certified Wealth Strategist® (CWS®)
• Series 7 and 66 Securities Licenses
• Montana Insurance Producer License
INVOLVEMENTS
• Board Member, Montana Teachers Retirement System, helping to ensure the long-term viability of a
defined benefit plan vitally important to Montana’s teachers.
• Board Member, Montana Board of Investments, managing $24 billion in assets for the State of Montana
• Former Board Member, Helena Chamber of Commerce
• Former Board Member, United Way of Lewis & Clark County
Lexie Bass, CWS®, FPQP™
Senior Associate Financial Advisor
"Take what you can from your dreams. Make them as real as anything."
—DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
Lexie Bass serves clients with a focus on planning, supporting clients through all of life’s key moments. Hardworking and knowledgeable, Lexie is passionate about the Trost Wealth Management’s philosophy — to simplify the complex strategies of wealth management and help clients find success on their own terms. Lexie’s background in both finance and client service add a unique, big-picture perspective as she guides clients through their retirement cash flow planning and tax planning. “It’s a puzzle l love to solve. I’m always listening to clients and reading between the lines to learn how we can best support them.” Part of the process she and her team have developed allows her to take-on some of the pressure related to clients’ financial journey by helping them to articulate clear financial goals and creating a personalized, action-oriented plan.
“I love getting to know people — we become like family. My goal is to be a true resource. It’s a privilege to be with them through so many significant life changes, from starting a new career to entering retirement. Celebrating their opportunities and achievements, and supporting them in navigating life’s ups and downs. We pride ourselves on going above and beyond what you might consider traditional financial planning services.”
Lexie is an Associate Financial Advisor for D.A. Davidson & Co. She constantly pushes her potential through learning opportunities, knowing that the more knowledgeable she is, the better she can help her clients. Previously working for Wendy's of Montana as a Marketing Associate, Lexie joined Trost Wealth Management as a Registered Client Associate in 2013 and quickly fell in love with the work. A natural with numbers, finance has always been a natural fit. She enjoys the combination of creativity, strategy, and the personal relationships she’s able to form as an Advisor.
Lexie and her husband Erik own the Helena Dairy Queen franchise locations. Together with their shaggy-haired puppy and black lab, they love living life in Montana and raising their two daughters, Vivian and Hazel — “two strong, beautiful girls with kind hearts and compassion for others.” Lexie loves running, skiing, and lake time almost as much as she likes kicking back with a novel or true crime podcast. As a hostess, she’s known for whipping up a mean batch of chili or Cioppino seafood stew. When she’s not helping clients or raising her girls with the confidence to step into their dreams, Lexie would relish the opportunity to visit a beach in Hawaii, explore the eastern seaboard, or get her passport stamped somewhere in Europe.
EDUCATION
• Bachelor's Degree in Finance and Marketing, Northern Arizona University
CERTIFICATIONS
• Certified Wealth Strategist® (CWS®)
• Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ designation, College for Financial Planning
• Series 7, 9, 10, and 66 Securities Licenses
INVOLVEMENTS
• Board Member, United Way of Lewis & Clark County
• Committee Member, Women’s Financial Advisor Network
Darbi Linder
Registered Client Associate
"The bad news is, time flies. The good news is, you’re the pilot."
—MICHAEL ALTSHULER
Darbi Linder supports Trost Wealth Management clients as a Client Associate, managing client service and cultivating long-term relationships with care and attention. Hardworking, approachable, and compassionate, she loves making a difference in the financial and personal lives of the clients she serves. With meticulous organization and a proactive mindset, she ensures clients’ needs are met and leads the team’s communication efforts. Darbi brings a diverse professional background and natural warmth to her role, allowing her the unique ability to understand others’ perspectives and build trust as she helps ensure clients’ needs are fully reflected in their wealth management strategies.
“It’s always felt easy for me to get ‘out’ of myself and my own viewpoint, and consider things from a different angle. I can see the forest for the trees — I understand how things fit together in the bigger picture. I also know that friendliness and kindness can change someone’s day — that’s really important to me.””
Before joining D.A. Davidson and Trost Wealth Management in the fall of 2021, Darbi was a middle school teacher, teaching Biology and Earth Science. She loved working with the younger generation of the local community — our future leaders, entrepreneurs, and change makers. As the education system changed, she was inspired to shift careers and support families in a new way.
Darbi and her family love their Montana home, taking full advantage of all there is to do and experience here. Every change of season brings a change of gear and hobby. From downhill and backcountry skiing to hiking, rafting, camping, boating, and backpacking — they dabble in all and master none. As the unofficial host of Helena’s best carpool karaoke experience, Darbi’s secret talent is writing parodies to pop songs — she’s a big hit with the discerning tastes of the middle school crowd. A talented home chef with an inspired flair for flavor, a visit to her kitchen might reveal a Thai chicken and plum salad or fish tacos with feta and chipotle crema.
EDUCATION
• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Montana State University
• Teacher’s Certification, University of Nevada, Reno
CERTIFICATIONS
• Securities Industry Essentials (SIE), Series 7 and 66 Securities Licenses
• Teaching Certificate – Biology (secondary school 5-12)
• Teaching Certificate – Family & Consumer Science (secondary school 5-12)