Sawmill Trust Company

Overview

Sawmill Trust Company is a private multi-family office that reports serving more than 30 families. Its work spans investment management, tax and estate planning, family foundations, fiduciary administration and household finance.²

History

Sawmill traces its origins to the Brooks family office, which managed proceeds from the sale of the Brooks-Scanlon forest products business. Brooks Associates established Sawmill as a private trust company in South Dakota in 2004, and the firm welcomed its first outside families in 2006.³

The South Dakota Division of Banking lists Sawmill Trust Company as a public trust company chartered on August 9, 2004.⁴

Leadership

- John Hinck, President and Chief Executive Officer.⁵ - Gail Lust, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.⁶ - Rufus Winton, Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Officer and Trust Officer.⁷

Services

Sawmill provides financial planning, household finance, philanthropy, tax and estate planning, investment management, fiduciary services, estate administration and family educational leadership.⁸

The firm also reports preparing more than 500 trust, individual, gift, partnership and family foundation tax returns annually as part of its standard fee.⁹

What the firm offers

• Investment management
• Financial planning
• Tax planning
• Estate planning
• Trust and fiduciary
• Philanthropy
• Family governance and education
• Administration and bill pay

Client Focus

Sawmill serves families across generations, including its founding family and newer client families. The firm reports an independent model in which family members share service costs, while the founding family pays under the same terms as newer clients.¹⁰

Approach

Sawmill describes its investment process as client-driven, goal-based, disciplined and flexible. The firm says it provides ongoing investment monitoring and reporting as client circumstances and objectives evolve.¹¹

FAQs

Related resources

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• Network siteEstatePlanner.com

  EstatePlanner.com offers practical guides on wills, trusts, and related planning topics. A family considering Sawmill Trust Company can use these materials to clarify questions about estate structures, fiduciary responsibilities, tax planning, and how personal goals may connect with broader family governance.

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Sources

1. https://www.sawmilltrust.com/
2. https://www.sawmilltrust.com/about/
3. https://dlr.sd.gov/banking/licensed_providers/state_chartered_trust_companies.pdf
4. https://www.sawmilltrust.com/staff/john-d-hinck/
5. https://www.sawmilltrust.com/staff/gail-lust/
6. https://www.sawmilltrust.com/staff/rufus-winton/
7. https://www.sawmilltrust.com/services/

Claim or correct this profile

This profile is a factual summary written in our own words from public sources. It is for information only. It is not an endorsement, rating, ranking or recommendation, and it is not investment advice. MultiFamilyOffices.com is not affiliated with the SEC or with this firm unless stated. Form ADV figures are self-reported by the firm.