The team is led by Michael Ellington, Zach Gardner, and Danique van der Velden and is focused on providing a holistic family office experience for business owners, entrepreneurs, and multi-generational families of wealth.
HOUSTON – Dec. 2, 2025 – Cresset announced today that it is expanding its Houston office with the addition of a wealth advisory team led by Michael Ellington, Zach Gardner, and Danique van der Velden. Formerly with Bernstein Private Wealth Management, this team managed $1.4 billion in assets in their former roles.
The team has nearly 30 years of experience advising business owners, entrepreneurs, and ultra-high-net-worth families, with a specific focus on pre- and post-transaction planning, including public and private investment management, estate and tax planning.
“Michael, Zach, and Danique have built distinguished careers providing entrepreneurs and ultra-high-net-worth families with a holistic and personalized family office experience. Just as importantly, they share our values and commitment to creating enduring wealth and lasting legacies for our clients,” said Cresset President Susie Cranston.
“Cresset is the perfect home for us to provide successful families with the comprehensive family office services that they expect today,” said Ellington. “Cresset’s vision to build a 100+-year firm resonates deeply with us, as does the alignment between employees, leadership, and clients. That is rare in this industry, and it is why we are so excited for what the future holds.”
About Cresset
Cresset is an independent, award-winning multi-family office and private investment firm with more than $70 billion in assets under management (as of 7/1/25). Cresset serves the unique needs of entrepreneurs, CEO founders, wealth creators, executives, and partners, as well as high-net-worth and multi-generational families. Our goal is to deliver a new paradigm for wealth management, giving you time to pursue what matters to you most.
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