Our Team
Who Makes Us Thrive
Learn About Iron Gate Global Advisors
BRIAN HUNSAKER
Chairman, Chief Investment Officer
Brian Hunsaker
Mr. Hunsaker started Iron Gate Global Advisors in 1999 and is currently a Managing Member and Portfolio Manager. He has broad experience in successfully managing client portfolios for over 25 years. Brian employs a seasoned investment approach to value investing. Mr. Hunsaker concentrates much of his time identifying great businesses with long term competitive advantages.
Prior to starting Iron Gate Global Advisors, Mr. Hunsaker has worked as a investment advisor for First Security Investor Services, US Bancorp Piper Jaffray, and Boettcher & Company. He earned Bachelor degree in Finance and Economics from Utah State University Jon M. Huntsman School of Business and is a designated Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS). He also served as vice-chair of the Better Business Bureau of Utah.
Mr. Hunsaker has been recognized for his professional achievements, having been a member of Piper Jaffray’s VIP Council and Pacesetter Club. He has been asked to present numerous workshops on investment management, as well as estate and financial planning.
Mr. Hunsaker enjoys skiing, fly fishing, and tennis in Utah’s great outdoors. He has taken his passion for skiing to the European Alps and has skied 11 different resorts in five different countries. For two years he was selected as team captain and was an all-conference defensive tackle at Utah State University. He signed a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1989.
BRETT PATTISON
CEO, Chief Portfolio Manager
Brett Pattison
Mr. Pattison joined Iron Gate Global Advisors in October of 2014. He brings a unique skill set to Iron Gate Global that includes extensive knowledge of options, ETFs, technical analysis, risk management, and historical market cycles.
Prior to joining Iron Gate Global Advisors, Mr. Pattison worked for Investools from TD Ameritrade® from 2005 – 2014. His responsibilities included managing a team of associates responsible for providing educational content for TD Ameritrade and TD Ameritrade Institutional. This education included live and recorded workshops, daily webcasts, online courses, videos, and special conferences that were both live and recorded.
Mr. Pattison is best known for being an options expert. Besides the numerous options workshops he has built and delivered, he developed and wrote the Investools® Basic Options and Advanced Options online courses, which have been viewed by tens of thousands of Investools and TD Ameritrade clients.
In addition to developing content, Mr. Pattison is also a sought-after speaker. He has personally delivered content to thousands of people all over the country. He has appeared in conferences with President Bill Clinton, General Colin Powell, T. Boone Pickens, Sam Stovall (Chief Equity Strategist at S&P Capital IQ), and Jeremy Siegel (professor at Wharton School of Business), to name a few.
During his time at Investools from TD Ameritrade, Mr. Pattison educated Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) on how to implement options into their clients’ portfolios. He has built online courses, webcasts, and live workshops specifically for advisors like himself. This education has helped advisors navigate market volatility for their clients using options. His efforts have been recognized at Investools from TD Ameritrade, and he earned several awards.
Mr. Pattison has been managing portfolios for many years based on methods he teaches individuals. He is excited to bring these same methodologies to the clients of IGGA.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Utah Eccles School of Business.
Mr. Pattison enjoys spending time outdoors with his family. He enjoys fishing, camping, hiking, and coaching his kids’ baseball and football teams.
SPENCER NELSON
Chief Financial Officer, Director of Financial Planning
Spencer Nelson
Spencer joined Iron Gate Global Advisors in 2018 as an investment advisor and portfolio manager. He has a breadth of experience in private equity, portfolio management, professional and collegiate basketball, and coaching. Spencer enjoys working with clients to put together their financial plans, wipe away debt, and work toward goals like home ownership, college planning, and building wealth. Spencer is passionate about the services Iron Gate offers: portfolio management with a successful track record of value investing and options trading, financial planning, and private client services.
Prior to joining Iron Gate, Spencer was an assistant coach for the Utah State University (USU) men’s basketball team in charge of recruiting, defensive strategy, and development of the power forwards and centers. He also worked as an Associate Director at Cicero Partners, where he leveraged the firm’s successful consulting services to build their private equity group from the ground up. He created the structure, procedures, and analytical tools for the firm to evaluate and execute deals.
Spencer earned an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in finance from USU, where he also played for the legendary Aggie basketball team. After finishing his education in 2005, Spencer signed a free-agent contract with the Utah Jazz. He played professional basketball in Germany, Italy, Greece, and Spain until 2015 when he joined Cicero Group.
Spencer and his wife have four children. They love to travel and spend time outdoors together as a family. Spencer enjoys golfing and coaching his children’s sports teams.
KATIE SANO
Director of Client Operations
Katie Sano
Katie Sano received a degree in Elementary Education from BYU and after teaching for 12 years, moved into business management. She managed a medical clinic for 3 years and received her Masters of Business Administration from Western Governors University. Her passion is in operations management and is excited to assist with client services and daily operations. Katie enjoys traveling, playing and watching sports, going to the lake, running, and being outside.
Daniel Bell
Director of 401k Services
Daniel Bell, AIF®, CPFA®
Mr. Bell joined Iron Gate Global Advisors in May of 2021 as an investment advisor and 401k specialist. He has extensive experience working with 401k plan sponsors and plan participants for over 25 years. He consults, designs, and educates clients on ways to maximize their retirement plan and benefits.
Prior to joining Iron Gate Global Advisors, Mr. Bell graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and began his career working as Certified Public Accountant (“CPA”) with a Big 5 accounting firm, focused on tax. In 1996 he started a 401(k) third-party administration company (Retirement Plan Solutions Administrators). Recognizing the need to provide both technical plan consulting and investment advisory services, Daniel qualified to become an investment advisor representative in 2002 and affiliated with Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. He has worked extensively with individuals and plan sponsors using his expertise to maximize wealth and create successful retirement plans.
In addition to being a licensed financial advisor and CPA, he also has is recognized as an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®). He currently serves as a commissioner on the Bountiful City power board.
Mr. Bell enjoys spending time with his family, mountain biking, flying fishing, golfing and is a college basketball fan. Daniel played college basketball at Dixie College and Utah State University. While attending Utah State University he was recognized as the male scholar athlete of the year his senior year.
FRANZ AMUSSEN
Portfolio Manager & Investment Advisor
Franz Amussen
Franz Amussen, is co-founder of Amussen Hunsaker & Associates, Inc. (now Iron Gate Global Advisors) a registered investment advisory firm. Mr. Amussen has degrees in Accounting and Economics from Utah State University and has his Masters degree in geography from the University of Utah. Franz has passed the CPA exam and considers the understanding of accounting essential in his analysis of public companies, he says “accounting is the language of business”.
At Iron Gate Global Advisors, Franz manages client portfolios and conducts research in public companies. Franz invests for his personal and client portfolios in public companies that he feels represent a reasonable risk to reward tradeoff.
Franz is a member of SLC Angels an angel investment group that may invest in early stage startup companies. His membership in this group gives Franz an insight into what may be possible investment ideas in up-and-coming technologies for his clients in future public companies. As a general rule angel investing is very high risk and is not suitable for most investors. Franz only invests his personal money in the angel investment arena.
Franz has been a member of the Utah Committee of Consumer Services. This is an appointed position by the Utah Governor. Franz was appointed for his first 4 year term by then Governor Michael Leavitt and was reappointed for a second term by then Governor Jon Huntsman. He served for 2 terms (8 years). The Committee of Consumer Services acts as a consumer advocate in utility rate case hearings related to natural gas and electricity. In this position Franz has been involved in analysis of rate design, generation portfolios and demand forecasting
STEVEN PARKINSON
Investment Advisor & Portfolio Manager
Steven Parkinson
Steven Parkinson has dedicated almost 30 years to developing and implementing proven processes and strategies for clients seeking to improve their investment portfolios and retirement programs. He serves both individual and corporate clients in most western states. His background includes both investment management and office supervision and was the Chief Compliance Officer at Clearwater Wealth Management.
Steven enjoys working with real estate and owns and manages several residential rental properties, a gravel pit, and commercial properties. He is an investor in various syndicated real estate ventures, and would love to do his own syndicate one day. Steven lives in Logan, Utah with his wife Lori.
KEN CANNON
Investment Advisor
Ken Cannon
Ken Cannon has 15 years of experience as a financial advisor working with clients to provide holistic financial planning including portfolio management, retirement projections, retirement income planning, 401K plans, estate planning, insurance needs and charitable planning. Ken worked as an advisor for Clearwater Wealth Management, TIAA-CREF, and A.G. Edwards and Securities America.
Ken is a graduate of Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in Family and Human Development. He lives in Logan, Utah with his wife Marty.
NEIL HAMILTON
Investment Advisor & Portfolio Manager
Neil Hamilton
Neil Hamilton began his career in 1986 providing personal and business investment services and planning. Neil specializes in advice and investment planning to high net worth individuals and employer sponsored retirement plans, such as 401K and Profit Sharing Plans. Neil has been a Chief Investment Strategist and portfolio manager at Clearwater Wealth Management for several years.
He is a founding member and past president of the Northern Utah Estate Planning Council.
While attending Utah State University, Neil met his wife, Jeannette, and they now live in Mt. Sterling. His hobbies include snow skiing, fishing, and most other outdoor activities with his family.
MCKENNA STRONG
Client Services Account Manager
McKenna Strong
McKenna Strong is the youngest and spunkiest of us all. She is currently attending Utah State University in the Huntsman Business School. She will be graduating with a double major in Finance and Economics in the Spring of 2021. As our intern and account manager, she handles all things behind the scenes. IGGA will be sponsoring McKenna and her husband, James, as they travel to the Dominican Republic for a few months in January to work with Operation Underground Railroad, provide humanitarian assistance, and help small business owners qualify for microloans.
JED DEVRIES
Marketing and Sales Consultant
Jed DeVries
Jed DeVries joined Iron Gate in summer 2019 as a Marketing & Sales Consultant. Having been a long-time client of the firm, he appreciated the value we offer to our clients and was thrilled at the opportunity to join the Iron Gate Global team.
Jed has been in sales for the last two decades and currently works full-time at Boston Scientific as an Executive Consultant.
Jed earned a degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences at Utah State University where he also played football from 1989-1993.
After graduation, he was an NFL offensive lineman for four-years playing for the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens.
After leaving the NFL, he joined Park City Medical where he began his career in Medical device sales and consulting.
In addition to working for Iron Gate Global Advisors, Jed is an Executive Consultant for Boston Scientific in medical device sales where he has won multiple President Club awards.
Jed is married and has two children. His hobbies include ultra-marathons, marathons, hunting, mountain biking and fishing.
MATTHEW NEWMAN
Senior Financial Planner, CFP
Matthew Newman
Matthew joined Iron Gate Global Advisors in 2020 as their senior financial planner. His expertise in financial planning helps our clients get an understanding of where they are financially, and what they need to do to accomplish their goals. Matthew’s #1 priority is to create an atmosphere of transparency, trust, and communication so our clients feel comfortable and are enabled to make educated decisions with their money. He enjoys working with our clients to help them feel more secure financially, specifically through creating plans that help prepare for retirement, save for home ownership, eliminate debt, plan for college, and build lasting wealth. Matthew fully believes in the services offered here at Iron Gate and is honored to be part of the team.
While studying Finance at the University of Utah, Matthew began his financial planning career at Northwestern Mutual. After earning his bachelor’s degree in finance, Matthew continued building his own financial planning practice and in doing so, gained a thorough understanding of wealth management, insurance planning, and retirement income strategies.
Matthew and his wife just welcomed their first child in March of 2020. He enjoys playing basketball, boxing, golfing, and traveling with his family.
