BENJAMIN BAKKEN, CFP®, CEPA®

Senior Vice President, Lansing Market Director
Team Member since 2019

Ben Bakken is an experienced and knowledgeable financial professional who understands the ‘ins and outs’ of strategy, analysis, relationship building, and leadership. Ben brings more than a decade of experience in the banking industry, in addition to nearly 5 years of experience in C-Suite roles responsible for finance, operations, accounting, real estate, information technology, business development, and human resources. He acquired his MBA from Northwood University and has a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University. Community involvement and volunteerism are pillars of what motivates Ben. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), member of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Policy Committee, Chair for the Greater Lansing Local Development Financing Authority / Lansing Regional SmartZone, co-founder and organizer for 5 Minutes Tops student shark-tank contest, Treasurer for the Holt Education Foundation, member of the Lansing Promise Business Council, Board Member for the Lansing Community College Foundation, and Board Member for Holt Junior Rams Basketball. He also enjoys fundraising for Special Olympics Michigan’s Polar Plunge, Women Working Wonders / Sparrow Foundation’s Dapper Dads, Carefree Medical’s Dancing with the Local Stars, and Children’s Ballet Theatre Nutcracker performance as ‘Mother Ginger’. Ben was the HEF recipient of the 2022 Community Person of the Year award, as well as the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce 2011 ’10 Over The Next Ten’ award. 

What are your specific goals for Tri-Star Trust clients?

Two very important and inter-connected things. First, that they constantly think of us as their most trusted and valued wealth management partner. Second, and much more importantly, that they feel valued by us. It’s not enough that they appreciate Tri-Star as their partner in life, but we must go further to ensure that every one of our clients recognizes just how much we value them, their families, and their overall well-being.

What is your favorite quote?

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better … it’s not.” – The Lorax

What do you enjoy doing in your personal time?

Absolutely everything with my family. They are my life. Everything that I do, I do for them. My wife Sarah and I are certainly busy with Clara, Emma, Jack, Alex, and Henry, and I love every second of it!

What’s your favorite food?