Our Team
Our People Are Our Brand
At First Trust Company, we believe that strong relationships are built on trust—and trust is built on people. First Trust Company’s loyal team is committed to our clients and their unique needs. We get to know you and your goals and always put your best interests first. Our experienced leadership team brings decades of specialized knowledge in fiduciary services, estate planning, trust administration, tax strategy, and financial stewardship. We serve clients, attorneys, and advisors with integrity, insight, and a shared commitment to preserving legacy across generations.
Joel D. Black, President and Chief Executive Officer
Joel Black is a seasoned executive with extensive experience across a broad spectrum of financial services, from publicly held to privately owned entities in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Before joining First Trust Company, Joel served as Chief Operating Officer for the Wealth Management Group at U.S. Bancorp. His career also includes C-level or senior management roles at UBS, Piper Jaffray Companies, ELCA Board of Pensions and BNCCORP.
Joel holds a B.A. from Dakota Wesleyan University, an M.B.A. in Finance from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, and an Estate Planning Certificate from the Graduate Tax Program at Boston University School of Law. Joel is a Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) and a member of the West River Estate and Financial Planning Council.
Thomas V. Van Robays, Executive Vice President and Chief Fiduciary Officer
With over 25 years of experience in estate planning and fiduciary services, Tom Van Robays brings deep trust knowledge to his role at First Trust Company. He previously served as president of Dakota Guardian Trust Company and led the trust department at Great Western Bank in Omaha.
Tom holds a B.S. from South Dakota State University and a J.D. from Creighton University School of Law. He serves on the executive board of the Omaha Estate Planning Council and has been a frequent seminar presenter.
Michael S. Redden, Senior Vice President
Michael Redden is an attorney with extensive experience in asset protection, estate planning, trust administration, taxation and business succession planning. Before joining First Trust Company he was with the law firm of Hellmuth & Johnson where he advised high-net-worth clients.
Following his service as an Intelligence Analyst in the United States Air Force, Michael earned a J.D. from Hamline University School of Law and a Graduate Certificate in Advocacy and Problem Solving from the Dispute Resolution Institute at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. He is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and the Minnesota and Hennepin County Bar Associations. In addition, he has contributed to multiple publications and authored two books on trust and estate topics.
Marcus L. Leach, Vice President
Marcus Leach brings specialized expertise in managing unique and hard-to-value trust assets and administering special needs trusts. Before joining First Trust Company, he was Manager of Unique Assets at National Advisors Trust Company, overseeing portfolios that included real estate, mineral interests, closely held businesses, and agricultural properties.
Marcus holds a B.A. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a J.D. from Howard University School of Law.
Joseph D. Porter, Vice President and Director of Investment Administration
Joe Porter brings extensive experience analyzing and researching individual securities and portfolios to monitor investment performance. Before joining First Trust Company in 2019, Joe was Senior Investment Performance Analyst for CLS Investments, LLC analyzing securities. He also worked at CLS’s sister company, Orion Advisors LLC, as the Performance Product Manager to enhance Orion’s performance reporting system.
Joe holds a B.A. from Eastern Washington University and an M.B.A. in Finance from Bellevue University. Joe earned his Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM) designation through the CFA Institute.
Taner B. DenHoed, Trust Officer
Taner DenHoed began his career at First Trust Company as a trust administrator and was promoted to trust officer in 2022. In his role, Taner supports clients with skilled administration and personalized service across a wide range of trust matters.
He holds a B.S. in Accounting and Finance and a Graduate Certificate in Trust Management from Dakota Wesleyan University. Taner is a Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) and is actively pursuing his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential.
Julie M. Olander, Trust Officer
Julie Olander brings significant experience in the field of estate planning and employs an approach that blends technical expertise with a personal touch. Before joining First Trust Company, Julie served as a senior wealth planner at Ashton Thomas where she specialized in generational estate and wealth management. Her career spans roles in both private and institutional planning firms, demonstrating a deep commitment to client-centered service.
Julie holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado. She is also Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) professional, a Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA), and an Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS®).