Dave Bertsch is the Head of Legal and Fiduciary Services and a Director for Teton Trust Company. He serves on the board of directors and legislative committee of the Wyoming Trust Association and is admitted to practice law in Wyoming. Prior to his role at Teton Trust
Company, Dave has worked as a litigation attorney, fly-fishing guide, and ski coach. He has published two fiction novels and several articles on various outdoors topics.
Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dave was a Dean’s Scholar at the University of Pittsburgh, where he received his Juris Doctor. He also holds a Bachelor of Science from Penn State.
What inspired you and your career trajectory to pursue a career in fiduciary services?
While working as a solo practitioner, I handled a wide range of legal disputes, including trust and estate issues. I was drawn to fiduciary services because of the opportunity to work with sophisticated legal, tax and accounting professionals to craft and administer efficient structures for interesting clients. The industry still excites me – there is always something new to learn and the environment is ever-evolving.
How has your career and working across different countries and cultures shaped your leadership style?
Our diverse and international client base has helped me appreciate the importance of patience, understanding, and empathy, and to incorporate those skills into my leadership style. I appreciate the various cultural backgrounds represented both in our clientele and our global team. The differences amongst us helps me appreciate that we are all in this together. The most important leadership skill is listening first.
What exciting projects are on the horizon for Teton Trust Company?
Wyoming is the most exciting and creative wealth planning jurisdiction in the U.S. Whether it is Statutory Foundations, private family trust companies or cryptocurrency, Wyoming is always leading the pack. That means we are constantly receiving client inquiries that present novel and fascinating questions. I would say that Wyoming’s acumen with respect to cryptocurrency is the most exciting item on our horizon, though the applicability of Statutory Foundations is a close second.
What do you wish more people knew about our industry?
I wish more people understood the advantages of using a corporate trustee in a favorable jurisdiction over using an individual trustee in their home jurisdiction. Aside from ensuring that trustee records and documentation are in order, corporate trustees can offer so many potential benefits, including tax efficiency, asset protection, long perpetuity periods and fair and impartial family governance.