Your Team

Chad is the Managing Partner of Bester Wealth and brings nearly 25 years of industry experience serving successful individuals and families. He acts as a trusted advisor to a select group of clients, helping them build, manage, preserve, and transition their wealth with clarity and confidence. Chad began his career as an intern at Wells Fargo and went on to serve as Managing Director in the Private Wealth division before founding Bester Wealth in 2021. He holds degrees in Economics and Management from Hamline University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®.

Deeply committed to his community, Chad joined the Board of Trustees of Hamline University—Minnesota’s oldest university—in 2019 and has served in numerous roles, including on the Investment Committee, helping grow the university’s endowment to new highs. He has also served in various leadership capacities at his church, including on the Finance and Gift Committees, and has served as a member of the Tocqueville Cabinet of United Way. An entrepreneur at heart, Chad is involved in a variety of ventures—often alongside clients—including commercial real estate and farmland, biotech, and hospitality businesses.

A lifelong Minnesota resident, Chad embraces the outdoors and the changing seasons. He enjoys water skiing whenever the weather permits, fishing (ice, lake, or ocean), hunting, reading, and cheering on the Vikings. Weekends are often filled with basketball tournaments and dance competitions for his children, along with time spent at the family cabin or farm with friends and extended family.

Family is at the center of Chad’s life. He and his wife, Janel, have three children—Grace, Hunter, and Madeline—along with their dog named Lucky. Chad loves grilling, makes a killer rigatoni, and has a lifelong appreciation for cars—especially a 1970 Chevelle SS, which remains on his wish list today.

Dave is a Vice President of Investments with nearly 24 years of experience in the financial services industry. He specializes in partnering with successful families to help them clarify their priorities, understand what matters most, and implement planning strategies tailored to their unique goals and financial complexity. Before joining Bester Wealth, Dave spent the early part of his career at Wells Fargo, where he served as both a Private Wealth Financial Consultant and a Regional Bank Private Banker. His diverse experience across banking, lending, and private wealth advisory roles gives him a comprehensive perspective on the financial lives of high-achieving families. Dave is a 2002 graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, where he earned his degree in Communication Studies.

Outside the office, Dave loves spending time with his family in St. Michael, where he and his wife Amber try to keep up with their three energetic kids—Molly, Drew, and Graham. A lifelong Minnesota sports fan, Dave is always ready to cheer on his favorite teams—and always survives the heartbreak that comes with the territory. When the family gets a chance to escape town, they head to their place on the Whitefish Chain of Lakes, which has become their trusted spot to relax and recharge.

Dave also loves coaching his son’s travel baseball team (2021 Minnesota State Champions!) and keeps the competitive spirit alive by playing town ball for the St. Michael Angels.

Lauren is a Client Associate at Bester Wealth Management with nine years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining the Bester team in December 2025, Lauren spent the previous four years dedicated to supporting advisors as a Senior Advisor Services Associate at Elevation Point.

Since graduating from college, she has built her career around client service, relationship management, and operational support within financial services. During her time with Elevation Point, she worked closely with advisory teams in client-facing roles, helping ensure a seamless and supportive experience for clients. Her work focused on building trust, maintaining strong communication, and supporting advisors through the day-to-day needs of their practices.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Business from Baylor University. She also participated in Baylor’s European Business Study Abroad Program, gaining exposure to how business and financial services operate across different countries and cultures.

In her free time, she enjoys listening to true crime podcasts, working out at Orange Theory Fitness, and watching sports.

Lauren is honored to be part of the Bester Wealth Management team and looks forward to building meaningful relationships with clients while supporting them throughout their financial journeys.