Meet The IronGate Team


As an independent-minded advisory firm for affluent individuals and families, we focus on helping our clients achieve what matters the most to them. Our proactive approach to wealth management begins with a thorough understanding of your needs, and then our team aims to deliver customized solutions through our collective wisdom and expertise. This synchrony is the standard because of the IronGate team. With our unique qualifications and perspectives, we work together for one common purpose: you!

Partners
IronGate Steve Coggins

Steve Coggins, AIF®

CO-FOUNDER, MANAGING PARTNER, & CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER

As Chief Investment Officer, Steve is the Chairman of the firm’s Investment Committee which is responsible for developing, executing and monitoring investment strategies for our clients.

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IronGate David Hartness

David Hartness,

CFP®, CLU®, AIF®, ChFC®

CO-FOUNDER, MANAGING PARTNER, & CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER

David’s primary focus is serving our private wealth clients as their personal CFO.  David oversees IronGate’s financial planning division, working with staff and outside professionals.

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Wealth Advisors
Irongate Evan Cummalander

Evan
Cumalander

As the head of IronGate’s branch office in Washington State, Evan works with clients all over the country. Evan joined IronGate Partners in 2014 after working . . . 

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IronGate Lil Mercer

Lil
Mercer

With a comprehensive background in insurance, banking, brokerage and financial planning, Lil's career began as a life insurance agent with John Hancock in . . .

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IronGate Cleve Nordeen

Cleve
Nordeen

Cleve joined IronGate Partners in 2010 with 17 years experience servicing the financial needs of both individuals and families throughout the Southeast.

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IronGate Susan Willett

Susan
Willett

Susan was most recently Director of Trust Services at Old North State Trust in Wilmington for the past 10 years. Prior to that, Susan was a Vice President and . . .

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Staff
IronGate Alex McDonald

Alex
McDonald, CFP®

DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL PLANNING

Working closely with our clients, partners and wealth advisors, Alex leads the development and ongoing monitoring of financial plans that assist in meeting our clients’ goals. 

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IronGate Cathy Demirdjian

Cathy
Demirdjian

FINANCIAL SERVICES TEAM LEADER

Cathy provides financial services support for IronGate’s clients. She oversees new accounts and the investment transfer process. Before joining the IronGate team, Cathy gained . . . 

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IronGate Nona Embry

Nona
Embry

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS/COMPLIANCE

Nona has been an integral part of IronGate Partners since we welcomed our first client in 2004. She oversees compliance, accounting and portfolio reporting for our clients.

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IronGate Kara Boyd

Kara
Boyd

DIRECTOR OF INVESTMENTS

Kara is responsible for investment research, trading and reporting.  A graduate of Fairfield University (CT), she received her MBA from Boston University. Prior to joining IronGate, she was . . .

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IronGate Mead Briggs

Mead
Briggs

SENIOR INVESTMENT STRATEGIST

A retired 30-year Wall Street executive and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury nominee with strong experience in government securities, Mead joined IronGate in early 2010 . . .

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Irongate Matt Turner

Matt
Turner

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

As a graphics and web design specialist, Matt assists in informative and timely communications to our current and future clients. Matt also coordinates IronGate’s events . . .

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IronGate Nicole Nelson

Nicole
Nelson

DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES

As the first voice of IronGate for many of our clients, Nicole oversees client care and coordinates all the firm’s events and marketing initiatives. Nicole works closely with our Partners and Wealth Advisors to support . . .

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IronGate Team Photo

North Carolina Office:
2601 Iron Gate Dr Suite 201,
Wilmington, NC, 28412

Washington Office:
7 N. Wenatchee Ave. Suite 401,
Wenatchee , WA, 98802

   (910) 791-1437

Legal & Privacy

Securities offered through Hightower Securities, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, Hightower Advisors, LLC is a SEC registered investment adviser. brokercheck.finra.org ©2020 Hightower Advisors. All Rights Reserved.