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
Auriana Kent
Client Associate
"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."
— BEN FRANKLIN
Auriana Kent, who goes by “Auri”, supports Trost Wealth Management Clients as a Client Associate, managing client service and cultivating long-term relationships with care and attention. Hardworking, approachable, and passionate, 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 that client’s needs are met and is a big part of the team’s communication efforts. Auri brings a diverse professional background and a “can-do” attitude to her role, allowing her the ability to build trust as she helps ensure clients’ needs are fully reflected in their wealth management strategies.
“As we look ahead to the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.” – Bill Gates
Before joining D.A. Davidson and Trost Wealth Management in the summer of 2024, Auri was an Operations Manager for two branches of Wells Fargo Bank in Helena, and before that, a personal banker. That is where she discovered her passion for the finance industry and exploring all the different ways her clients could make their money work for them – whether that was explaining appropriate strategies for leveraging debt or helping a young client create their first budget. Now that she’s working with Dan and Lexie, she’s more excited than ever to continue learning about the fantastic world of finance from two great teachers and to continue her passion of helping to teach others.
Auri grew up in Helena, and she and her family love their Montana home. Though not much of an “outdoorsy” person, she enjoys watching the seasons change from inside (often with a cup of hot tea in the winter or a popsicle in the summer), cozied up with her cat Cleo. There are a few exceptions to the rule; mostly in heading to the shooting range, gardening, or snowmobiling with family. Auri has many hobbies to keep her busy during the quiet nights at home including cooking, embroidery, model-making, or whatever odd craft she’s decided to teach herself at the time – all the while listening to podcasts or audio books.
Kyle Olson
Client Associate
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."
— MAHATMA GHANDI
With her professional background in accounting and hospitality combined with her education in financial planning, Kyle Olson provides exceptional support for the Trost Wealth Management Team. Kyle serves the team as a Client Associate and works to provide trusted advice during life’s key moments. She shares a passion for financial education and believes in the holistic approach the team employs when planning with clients.
Kyle graduated from Carroll College with a bachelor’s degree in Financial Planning as well as Accounting and Strategic Finance. While there, she played on the women’s basketball team, ran cross country, and competed in track. Before joining D.A. Davidson, Kyle worked as an associate accountant at Pinion and got to spend some time in Hawaii working as a golf services attendant at Kohanaiki. Kyle passed the Certified Financial Planner® exam in November of 2023 and is looking to gain experience to complete this certification.
Outside of work, Kyle loves exploring the outdoors and challenging herself to try new activities. Recently, she has taken up yoga and has spent some time trying to learn the Spanish language. A fun fact about Kyle is that she once swam through a cave with a shark.
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s Degree in Business: Financial Planning, Accounting and Strategic Finance, Carroll College