Item 1: Cover Page

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ironforge LLC, DBA: Forthright PartnersTM

9557 Belmont Bay Avenue

Las Vegas, Nevada 89148

Form ADV Part 2A – Firm Brochure

(702) 688-2540

Dated November 2022

www.myforthright.com

 

 

 

This Brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Ironforge LLC, DBA: Forthright Partners, “FP”. If you have any questions about the contents of this Brochure, please contact us at (702) 688-2540. The information in this Brochure has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority. 

Ironforge LLC, DBA: Forthright Partners is registered as an Investment Adviser with the State of Nevada. Registration of an Investment Adviser does not imply any level of skill or training.

Additional information about FP is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov, which can be found using the firm’s identification number, 317358.


Item 2: Material Changes

Since becoming approved in January 2022, the following changes have been made to this version of the Disclosure Brochure:

●        ADV Part 2B: Devan Wyson added a new outside business activity.

From time to time, we may amend this Brochure to reflect changes in our business practices, changes in regulations, and routine annual updates as required by securities regulators. Either this complete Brochure or a Summary of Material Changes shall be provided to each Client annually and if a material change occurs in the business practices of Ironforge LLC, DBA: Forthright Partners.

 

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Item 3: Table of Contents

 

Item 1: Cover Page                                                                                                                                        1

Item 2: Material Changes                                                                                                                              2

Item 3: Table of Contents                                                                                                                              3

Item 4: Advisory Business                                                                                                                             4

Item 5: Fees and Compensation                                                                                                                     6

Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management                                                                  8

Item 7: Types of Clients                                                                                                                                 8

Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss                                                           8

Item 9: Disciplinary Information                                                                                                                 11

Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations                                                                      11

Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading                12

Item 12: Brokerage Practices                                                                                                                      13

Item 13: Review of Accounts                                                                                                                       14

Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation                                                                                    14

Item 15: Custody                                                                                                                                         14

Item 16: Investment Discretion                                                                                                                    14

Item 17: Voting Client Securities                                                                                                                 14

Item 18: Financial Information                                                                                                                   14

Item 19: Requirements for State-Registered Advisers                                                                                 15

Form ADV Part 2B – Brochure Supplement                                                                                               18

 

Item 4: Advisory Business

Description of Firm

Ironforge LLC, DBA: Forthright Partners (hereinafter referred to as “FP”, “we”, “firm”, and “us”) is registered as an Investment Adviser with the State of Nevada. We were founded in June, 2021. Devan Wyson is the principal owner of FP.

Types of Services

Employer Sponsored Financial Education

Employers (“corporate clients”) partner with FP to provide their employees and members of the employee’s household (“participants”) with access to financial education and support from financial experts. Once a corporate client has engaged with FP, their participants may reach out to the financial experts to request a virtual session regarding a variety of topics.

When the participant has a question, they are able to reach out to the financial experts at FP and schedule a virtual session. Prior to the financial education session, the financial expert that they will be working with will reach out to the participant for a brief pre-call. On this initial pre-call, the participant’s question(s) will be reviewed. During the informational financial education session, which occurs either via phone or in a virtual space, the participant can confidently discuss their financial situation and receive unbiased information and support regarding financial matters. At no point during the participant’s engagement will any products be marketed or sold. If, at a later point in time, the participant has additional questions, the participant may always call back to pick up where they left off. In general, the financial education session will address any or all of the following areas of concern, which may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Business Planning: We provide consulting services for participants who currently operate their own business, are considering starting a business, or are planning for an exit from their current business. Under this type of engagement, we work with you to assess your current situation, identify your objectives, and develop a plan aimed at achieving your goals.

 

Cash Flow and Debt Management: We will conduct a review of your income and expenses to determine your current surplus or deficit along with advice on prioritizing how any surplus should be used or how to reduce expenses if they exceed your income. Advice may also be provided on which debts to pay off first based on factors such as the interest rate of the debt and any income tax ramifications. We may also recommend what we believe to be an appropriate cash reserve that should be considered for emergencies and other financial goals, along with a review of accounts (such as money market funds) for such reserves, plus strategies to save desired amounts.

 

College Savings: Includes projecting the amount that will be needed to achieve college or other post-secondary education funding goals, along with advice on ways for you to save the desired amount. Recommendations as to savings strategies are included, and, if needed, we will review your financial picture as it relates to eligibility for financial aid or the best way to contribute to grandchildren (if appropriate).

 

Employee Benefits Optimization: We will provide review and analysis as to whether you, as an employee, are taking the maximum advantage possible of your employee benefits. If you are a business owner, we will consider and/or recommend the various benefit programs that can be structured to meet both business and personal retirement goals.

 

Estate Planning: This usually includes an analysis of your exposure to estate taxes and your current estate plan, which may include whether you have a will, powers of attorney, trusts, and other related documents. Our advice also typically includes ways for you to minimize or avoid future estate taxes by implementing appropriate estate planning strategies such as the use of applicable trusts.  We always recommend that you consult with a qualified attorney when you initiate, update, or complete estate planning activities. We may provide you with contact information for attorneys who specialize in estate planning when you wish to hire an attorney for such purposes. From time-to-time, we will participate in meetings or phone calls between you and your attorney with your approval or request.

 

Financial Goals: We will help participants identify financial goals and develop a plan to reach them. We will identify what you plan to accomplish, what resources you will need to make it happen, how much time you will need to reach the goal, and how much you should budget for your goal.

 

Insurance: Review of existing policies to ensure proper coverage for life, health, disability, long-term care, liability, home, and automobile.

 

Investment Analysis: This may involve developing an asset allocation strategy to meet participants’ financial goals and risk tolerance, providing information on investment vehicles and strategies, reviewing employee stock options, as well as assisting you in establishing your own investment account at a selected broker/dealer or custodian. The strategies and types of investments we may recommend are further discussed in Item 8 of this brochure.

 

Retirement Planning: Our retirement planning services typically include projections of your likelihood of achieving your financial goals, typically focusing on financial independence as the primary objective. For situations where projections show less than the desired results, we may make recommendations, including those that may impact the original projections by adjusting certain variables (e.g., working longer, saving more, spending less, taking more risk with investments).

 

If you are near retirement or already retired, advice may be given on appropriate distribution strategies to minimize the likelihood of running out of money or having to adversely alter spending during your retirement years.

 

Risk Management: A risk management review includes an analysis of your exposure to major risks that could have a significant adverse impact on your financial picture, such as premature death, disability, property and casualty losses, or the need for long‐term care planning. Advice may be provided on ways to minimize such risks and about weighing the costs of purchasing insurance versus the benefits of doing so and, likewise, the potential cost of not purchasing insurance (“self‐insuring”).

 

Tax Planning Strategies: Advice may include ways to minimize current and future income taxes as a part of your overall financial picture. For example, we may make recommendations on which type of account(s) or specific investments should be owned based in part on their “tax efficiency,” with the consideration that there is always a possibility of future changes to federal, state or local tax laws and rates that may impact your situation.

 

We recommend that you consult with a qualified tax professional before initiating any tax planning strategy, and we may provide you with contact information for accountants or attorneys who specialize in this area if you wish to hire someone for such purposes. We will participate in meetings or phone calls between you and your tax professional with your approval.

Educational Workshops

We may provide workshops on an “as announced” basis for groups seeking general advice on personal finance. The content of these workshops will vary depending upon the needs of the attendees. These workshops are purely educational in nature and do not involve the sale of any investment products. Information presented will not be based on any individual’s person’s need, nor does FP provide individualized investment advice to attendees during these workshops.

 

Participant Tailored Services and Participant Imposed Restrictions

We consult with participants initially and on an ongoing basis, through the duration of their engagement with us, to determine risk tolerance, time horizon and other factors that may impact the participants’ investment and/or planning needs. We ensure that participants’ investment and planning recommendations are suitable for their needs, goals, objectives, and risk tolerance.

Wrap Fee Programs

 We do not participate in wrap fee programs.

Assets Under Management

Because FP is a new entity, it currently reports no discretionary or non-discretionary Assets Under Management. Assets Under Management were calculated as of November, 2021.

Item 5: Fees and Compensation

Please note, unless a corporate client has received this brochure at least 48 hours prior to signing a Corporate Client Contract, the Corporate Client Contract may be terminated by the participant within five (5) business days of signing the Client Contract without incurring any fees. How we are paid depends on the type of services we perform. Below is a brief description of our fees, however, you should review your executed Corporate Client Contract for more detailed information regarding the exact fees you will be paying.

Employer Sponsored Financial Education

Employer sponsored financial education sessions are offered on a fixed fee basis. The fixed fee will be agreed upon before the start of any work. The fee can range from $0 - $5 per employee per month (“PEPM”) with a minimum fixed fee for participating employees at $80.  The fee is negotiated depending on the number of employees, the estimated usage rate of the workforce, and the complexity and the needs of the corporate client. At FP’s discretion, the fee is negotiable and minimums may be waived. Fees for this service may be paid by electronic funds transfer or check. In the event of early termination any prepaid but unearned fees will be refunded to the corporate client and any completed deliverables will be provided to the corporate client and no further fees will be charged.

Hourly Fee

Limited hourly engagements are offered at an hourly rate of $200 per hour, based on the complexity and needs of the participant. The fee may be negotiable in certain cases and is due at the completion of the engagement. In the event of early termination by the participant, any fees for the hours already worked will be due. Fees for this service may be paid by electronic funds transfer or check.

Educational Workshops

Workshops are offered to organizations and the public on a variety of financial topics. Fees range from free to $5,000 per workshop. Half of the fees are due prior to the engagement, and the other half is to be paid the day of, no later than the conclusion of the workshop. The fee range is based on the content, amount of research conducted, the number of hours of preparation needed, and the number of attendees. In the event of inclement weather or flight cancellation, the Speaker shall make all reasonable attempts to make alternative travel arrangements to arrive in time for the presentation. If travel proves impossible, or the event is otherwise canceled, the Speaker's fee is waived, but the Client will still be responsible for reimbursement of any non-refundable travel expenses already incurred.

 

In the event that the Client decides to cancel or change the date of the event for any reason besides weather or similar unforeseen causes, the Client will still be responsible for reimbursement of any non-refundable travel expenses already incurred, and will provide payment for 25% of the Speaker’s fee if the cancellation occurs within 30 days of the event. In the event that the Speaker must cancel due to health or similar unforeseen circumstances, the Speaker will make all attempts to find a reasonable alternative engagement date and will absorb any incremental additional costs for obtaining alternative travel arrangements. If an alternative date cannot be obtained, the Client will not be responsible for any travel costs already incurred by the Speaker or any portion of the Speaker’s fee.

 

Educational workshops may be provided pro-bono at FP’s discretion.

Other Types of Fees and Expenses

When implementing an investment recommendation, the participant may incur additional fees such as brokerage commissions, transaction fees, and other related costs and expenses. Participants may incur certain charges imposed by broker-dealers, and other third parties such as custodial fees, deferred sales charges, odd-lot differentials, transfer taxes, wire transfer, and electronic fund fees, and other fees and taxes on brokerage accounts and securities transactions. Mutual fund and exchange-traded funds also charge internal management fees, which are disclosed in a fund's prospectus. Such charges, fees, and commissions are exclusive of and in addition to our fee, and we shall not receive any portion of these commissions, fees, and costs.

Item 12 further describes the factors that we consider in selecting or recommending broker-dealers for Participant’s transactions and determining the reasonableness of their compensation (e.g., commissions).

We do not accept compensation for the sale of securities or other investment products including asset-based sales charges or service fees from the sale of mutual funds.

Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management

We do not offer performance-based fees and do not engage in side-by-side management.

Item 7: Types of Clients

We provide financial education services to individuals and high net-worth individuals.

We do not have a minimum account size requirement.

Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss

When utilized, methods of investment analysis may include fundamental, technical, charting, and cyclical analysis.

Fundamental analysis involves analyzing individual companies and their industry groups, such as a company’s financial statements, details regarding the company’s product line, the experience, and expertise of the company’s management, and the outlook for the company’s industry. The resulting data is used to measure the true value of the company’s stock compared to the current market value. The risk of fundamental analysis is that the information obtained may be incorrect and the analysis may not provide an accurate estimate of earnings, which may be the basis for a stock’s value. If securities prices adjust rapidly to new information, utilizing fundamental analysis may not result in favorable performance.

Technical analysis involves using chart patterns, momentum, volume, and relative strength in an effort to pick sectors that may outperform market indices.  However, there is no assurance of accurate forecasts or that trends will develop in the markets we follow. In the past, there have been periods without discernible trends and similar periods will presumably occur in the future. Even where major trends develop, outside factors like government intervention could potentially shorten them.

Furthermore, one limitation of technical analysis is that it requires price movement data, which can translate into price trends sufficient to dictate a market entry or exit decision. In a trendless or erratic market, a technical method may fail to identify trends requiring action. In addition, technical methods may overreact to minor price movements, establishing positions contrary to overall price trends, which may result in losses. Finally, a technical trading method may underperform other trading methods when fundamental factors dominate price moves within a given market.

Cyclical analysis is a type of technical analysis that involves evaluating recurring price patterns and trends based upon business cycles.  Economic/business cycles may not be predictable and may have many fluctuations between long-term expansions and contractions. The lengths of economic cycles may be difficult to predict with accuracy and therefore the risk of cyclical analysis is the difficulty in predicting economic trends and consequently the changing value of securities that would be affected by these changing trends.

Charting analysis involves the gathering and processing of price and volume information for a particular security. This price and volume information is analyzed using mathematical equations. The resulting data is then applied to graphing charts, which is used to predict future price movements based on price patterns and trends. Charts may not accurately predict future price movements. Current prices of securities may not reflect all information about the security and day-to-day changes in market prices of securities may follow random patterns and may not be predictable with any reliable degree of accuracy.

Modern Portfolio Theory

The underlying principles of MPT are:

●        Investors are risk averse. The only acceptable risk is that which is adequately compensated by an expected return. Risk and investment return are related and an increase in risk requires an increased expected return.

●        Markets are efficient. The same market information is available to all investors at the same time. The market prices every security fairly based upon this equal availability of information.

●        The design of the portfolio as a whole is more important than the selection of any particular security. The appropriate allocation of capital among asset classes will have far more influence on long-term portfolio performance than the selection of individual securities.

●        Investing for the long-term (preferably longer than ten years) becomes critical to investment success because it allows the long-term characteristics of the asset classes to surface.

●        Increasing diversification of the portfolio with lower correlated asset class positions can decrease portfolio risk. Correlation is the statistical term for the extent to which two asset classes move in tandem or opposition to one another.

Material Risks Involved

FP does not provide investment management, however investment recommendations may be made as part of the financial planning services. All investing strategies we offer involve risk and may result in a loss of your original investment which you should be prepared to bear. Many of these risks apply equally to stocks, bonds, commodities, and any other investment or security. Material risks associated with our investment strategies are listed below.

Market Risk: Market risk involves the possibility that an investment’s current market value will fall because of a general market decline, reducing the value of the investment regardless of the operational success of the issuer’s operations or its financial condition.

Strategy Risk: The Adviser’s investment strategies and/or investment techniques may not work as intended.

Small and Medium Cap Company Risk: Securities of companies with small and medium market capitalizations are often more volatile and less liquid than investments in larger companies. Small and medium cap companies may face a greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of the participant’s portfolio.

Turnover Risk: At times, the strategy may have a portfolio turnover rate that is higher than other strategies. A high portfolio turnover would result in correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses and may result in the distribution of additional capital gains for tax purposes. These factors may negatively affect the account’s performance.

Limited markets: Certain securities may be less liquid (harder to sell or buy) and their prices may at times be more volatile than at other times. Under certain market conditions, we may be unable to sell or liquidate investments at prices we consider reasonable or favorable or find buyers at any price.

Concentration Risk: Certain investment strategies focus on particular asset-classes, industries, sectors or types of investment. From time to time these strategies may be subject to greater risks of adverse developments in such areas of focus than a strategy that is more broadly diversified across a wider variety of investments.

Interest Rate Risk: Bond (fixed income) prices generally fall when interest rates rise, and the value may fall below par value or the principal investment. The opposite is also generally true: bond prices generally rise when interest rates fall. In general, fixed income securities with longer maturities are more sensitive to these price changes. Most other investments are also sensitive to the level and direction of interest rates.

Legal or Legislative Risk: Legislative changes or Court rulings may impact the value of investments, or the securities’ claim on the issuer’s assets and finances.

Inflation: Inflation may erode the buying power of your investment portfolio, even if the dollar value of your investments remains the same.

Risks Associated with Securities

Apart from the general risks outlined above which apply to all types of investments, specific securities may have other risks.

Commercial Paper is, in most cases, an unsecured promissory note that is issued with a maturity of 270 days or less. Being unsecured the risk to the investor is that the issuer may default.

Common stocks may go up and down in price quite dramatically, and in the event of an issuer’s bankruptcy or restructuring could lose all value. A slower-growth or recessionary economic environment could have an adverse effect on the price of all stocks.

Corporate Bonds are debt securities to borrow money. Generally, issuers pay investors periodic interest and repay the amount borrowed either periodically during the life of the security and/or at maturity. Alternatively, investors can purchase other debt securities, such as zero coupon bonds, which do not pay current interest, but rather are priced at a discount from their face values and their values accrete over time to face value at maturity. The market prices of debt securities fluctuate depending on factors such as interest rates, credit quality, and maturity. In general, market prices of debt securities decline when interest rates rise and increase when interest rates fall. The longer the time to a bond’s maturity, the greater its interest rate risk.

Bank Obligations including bonds and certificates of deposit may be vulnerable to setbacks or panics in the banking industry. Banks and other financial institutions are greatly affected by interest rates and may be adversely affected by downturns in the U.S. and foreign economies or changes in banking regulations.

Municipal Bonds are debt obligations generally issued to obtain funds for various public purposes, including the construction of public facilities. Municipal bonds pay a lower rate of return than most other types of bonds. However, because of a municipal bond’s tax-favored status, investors should compare the relative after-tax return to the after-tax return of other bonds, depending on the investor’s tax bracket. Investing in municipal bonds carries the same general risks as investing in bonds in general. Those risks include interest rate risk, reinvestment risk, inflation risk, market risk, call or redemption risk, credit risk, and liquidity and valuation risk.

Options and other derivatives carry many unique risks, including time-sensitivity, and can result in the complete loss of principal. While covered call writing does provide a partial hedge to the stock against which the call is written, the hedge is limited to the amount of cash flow received when writing the option. When selling covered calls, there is a risk the underlying position may be called away at a price lower than the current market price.

Exchange Traded Funds prices may vary significantly from the Net Asset Value due to market conditions. Certain Exchange Traded Funds may not track underlying benchmarks as expected. ETFs are also subject to the following risks: (i) an ETF’s shares may trade at a market price that is above or below their net asset value; (ii) the ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; or (iii) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breaker” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally. The Adviser has no control over the risks taken by the underlying funds in which the participants invest.

Mutual Funds: When a participant invests in open-end mutual funds or ETFs, the participant indirectly bears its proportionate share of any fees and expenses payable directly by those funds. Therefore, the participant will incur higher expenses, many of which may be duplicative. In addition, the participant’s overall portfolio may be affected by losses of an underlying fund and the level of risk arising from the investment practices of an underlying fund (such as the use of derivatives).

Item 9: Disciplinary Information

Criminal or Civil Actions

FP and its management have not been involved in any criminal or civil action.

Administrative Enforcement Proceedings

FP and its management have not been involved in administrative enforcement proceedings.

Self-Regulatory Organization Enforcement Proceedings

FP and its management have not been involved in legal or disciplinary events that are material to a corporate client’s or prospective corporate client’s evaluation of FP or the integrity of its management.

Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations

No FP employee is registered, or has an application pending to register, as a broker-dealer or a registered representative of a broker-dealer.

No FP employee is registered, or has an application pending to register, as a futures commission merchant, commodity pool operator or a commodity trading advisor.

FP does not have any related parties. As a result, we do not have a relationship with any related parties.

FP only receives compensation directly from corporate clients. We do not receive compensation from any outside source. We do not have any conflicts of interest with any outside party.

Devan Wyson is currently a licensed insurance agent, however, he no longer sells any insurance products, and is not affiliated with any insurance companies. Ironforge LLC, DBA Forthright Partners will not sell any insurance products to corporate clients, participants, or prospective corporate clients or prospective participants of FP.

Recommendations or Selections of Other Investment Advisers

FP does not recommend participants to TAMPs to manage their accounts.

Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Participant Transactions and Personal Trading

As a fiduciary, our firm and its associates have a duty of utmost good faith to act solely in the best interests of each participant. Our participants entrust us with their funds and personal information, which in turn places a high standard on our conduct and integrity. Our fiduciary duty is a core aspect of our Code of Ethics and represents the expected basis of all of our dealings. The firm also adheres to the Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility adopted by the CFP® Board of Standards Inc., and accepts the obligation not only to comply with the mandates and requirements of all applicable laws and regulations but also to take responsibility to act in an ethical and professionally responsible manner in all professional services and activities.

Code of Ethics Description

This code does not attempt to identify all possible conflicts of interest, and literal compliance with each of its specific provisions will not shield associated persons from liability for personal trading or other conduct that violates a fiduciary duty to our Clients. A summary of the Code of Ethics' Principles is outlined below.

•           Integrity - Associated persons shall offer and provide professional services with integrity.

•           Objectivity - Associated persons shall be objective in providing professional services to Clients.

•           Competence - Associated persons shall provide services to Clients competently and maintain the necessary knowledge and skill to continue to do so in those areas in which they are engaged.

•           Fairness - Associated persons shall perform professional services in a manner that is fair and reasonable to Clients, principals, partners, and employers, and shall disclose conflict(s) of interest in providing such services.

•           Confidentiality - Associated persons shall not disclose confidential Client information without the specific consent of the Client unless in response to proper legal process, or as required by law.

•            Professionalism - Associated persons' conduct in all matters shall reflect the credit of the profession.

•           Diligence - Associated persons shall act diligently in providing professional services.

We periodically review and amend our Code of Ethics to ensure that it remains current, and we require all firm access persons to attest to their understanding of and adherence to the Code of Ethics at least annually. Our firm will provide a copy of its Code of Ethics to any Client or prospective Client upon request.

Investment Recommendations Involving a Material Financial Interest and Conflicts of Interest

Neither our firm, its associates, or any related person is authorized to recommend to a participant or effect a transaction for a participant, involving any security in which our firm or a related person has a material financial interest, such as in the capacity as an underwriter, adviser to the issuer, etc.

Purchase of Same Securities Recommended to Participants and Conflicts of Interest

Our firm and its “related persons” may buy or sell securities similar to, or different from, those we recommend to participants for their accounts. In an effort to reduce or eliminate certain conflicts of interest involving the firm or personal trading, our policy may require that we restrict or prohibit associates’ transactions in specific reportable securities transactions. Any exceptions or trading pre-clearance must be approved by the firm principal in advance of the transaction in an account, and we maintain the required personal securities transaction records per regulation.

Trading Securities At/Around the Same Time as Participant’s Securities

From time to time, our firm or its “related persons” may buy or sell securities for themselves at or around the same time as participants. This may provide an opportunity for representatives of FP to buy or sell securities before or after recommending securities to participants resulting in representatives profiting off the recommendations they provide to participants. Such transactions may create a conflict of interest; however, FP will never engage in trading that operates to the participant’s disadvantage if representatives of FP buy or sell securities at or around the same time as participants.

Item 12: Brokerage Practices

Factors Used to Select Custodians and/or Broker-Dealers

Ironforge LLC, DBA: Forthright Partners does not have any affiliation with Broker-Dealers. Specific custodian recommendations are made based on the need for such services. We recommend custodians based on the reputation and services provided by the firm.

1. Research and Other Soft-Dollar Benefits

We currently do not receive soft dollar benefits.

2. Brokerage for Participant Referrals

We receive no referrals from a broker-dealer or third party in exchange for using that broker-dealer or third party.

3. Participant Directing Which Broker/Dealer/Custodian to Use

As a fee-only financial educator who does not offer investment management services, we do not have a concern over which broker-dealers a participant may choose in order to implement our investment recommendations.

Aggregating (Block) Trading for Multiple Participant Accounts

Some registered investment advisers execute participant accounts on an aggregated basis as a way to lower expenses. As a fee-only financial educator who does not offer investment management services, we do not execute trades on behalf of participants. As a result, it is up to the participant to negotiate their own trading costs with their broker-dealer.

Item 13: Review of Accounts

FP does not provide specific reports to financial education participants.

Item 14: Referrals and Other Compensation

We do not receive any economic benefit, directly or indirectly, from any third party for advice rendered to our participants. Nor do we, directly or indirectly, compensate any person for participant or corporate client referrals.

Item 15: Custody

FP does not accept custody of participant funds.

Item 16: Investment Discretion

We do not provide investment management services and therefore do not exercise discretion.

Item 17: Voting Participant Securities

FP does not provide investment management services and therefore does not vote participant proxies.

Item 18: Financial Information

Registered investment advisers are required in this item to provide you with certain financial information or disclosures about our financial condition. We have no financial commitment that impairs our ability to meet contractual and fiduciary commitments to participants, and we have not been the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.

We do not have custody of participant funds or securities or require or solicit prepayment of more than $500 in fees per participant six months in advance.

Item 19: Requirements for State-Registered Advisers

Devan Wyson

Born: 1985

Educational Background

•       2012 – Bachelor of Finance, Regis University

•       2019 – Master of Financial Services, The American College

 

Business Experience

•       06/2021 – Present, Ironforge LLC, DBA: Forthright Partners, Founder and CCO

•       09/2016 – 06/2021, LPL Financial, Registered Representative

•       09/2016 – 06/2021, Zions Bancorporation, Vice President/Wealth Advisor

•       01/2013 – 08/2016, CUSO Financial Services, Financial Advisor

•       01/2013 – 09/2016, One Nevada Credit Union, Registered Representative

•       01/2012  –12/2012, Commonwealth Financial Network, Registered Staff Member

•       10/2011 – 12/2012, Wyson Financial, Registered Representative

 

Professional Designations, Licensing & Exams

CFP (Certified Financial Planner)®The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® and federally registered CFP (with flame design) marks (collectively, the “CFP® marks”) are professional certification marks granted in the United States by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (“CFP Board”).

The CFP® certification is a voluntary certification; no federal or state law or regulation requires financial planners to hold CFP® certification. It is recognized in the United States and a number of other countries for its (1) high standard of professional education; (2) stringent code of conduct and standards of practice; and (3) ethical requirements that govern professional engagements with Clients. Currently, more than 71,000 individuals have obtained CFP® certification in the United States.

To attain the right to use the CFP® marks, an individual must satisfactorily fulfill the following requirements:

●      Education – Complete an advanced college-level course of study addressing the financial planning subject areas that CFP Board’s studies have determined as necessary for the competent and professional delivery of financial planning services, and attain a Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited United States college or university (or its equivalent from a foreign university). CFP Board’s financial planning subject areas include insurance planning and risk management, employee benefits planning, investment planning, income tax planning, retirement planning, and estate planning;

●      Examination – Pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Examination. The examination includes case studies and Client scenarios designed to test one's ability to correctly diagnose financial planning issues and apply one's knowledge of financial planning to real-world circumstances;

●      Experience – Complete at least three years of full-time financial planning-related experience (or the equivalent, measured as 2,000 hours per year); and

●      Ethics – Agree to be bound by CFP Board’s Standards of Professional Conduct, a set of documents outlining the ethical and practice standards for CFP® professionals.

Individuals who become certified must complete the following ongoing education and ethics requirements in order to maintain the right to continue to use the CFP® marks:

●      Continuing Education – Complete 30 hours of continuing education hours every two years, including two hours on the Code of Ethics and other parts of the Standards of Professional Conduct, to maintain competence and keep up with developments in the financial planning field; and

●      Ethics – Renew an agreement to be bound by the Standards of Professional Conduct. The Standards prominently require that CFP® professionals provide financial planning services at a fiduciary standard of care. This means CFP® professionals must provide financial planning services in the best interests of their Clients.

CFP® professionals who fail to comply with the above standards and requirements may be subject to CFP Board’s enforcement process, which could result in suspension or permanent revocation of their CFP® certification.

Other Business Activities

Devan Wyson provides consulting services to individuals. This activity is not provided for compensation and accounts for less than 10% of his time during trading hours.

Performance-Based Fees

FP is not compensated by performance-based fees.

Material Disciplinary Disclosures

No management person at Ironforge LLC, DBA: Forthright Partners has ever been involved in an arbitration claim of any kind or been found liable in a civil, self-regulatory organization, or administrative proceeding.

Material Relationships That Management Persons Have With Issuers of Securities

Neither Ironforge LLC, DBA: Forthright Partners, nor Devan Wyson, has any relationship or arrangement with issuers of securities, in addition to what is described in Item 10.

Additional Compensation

Devan Wyson does not receive any economic benefit from any person, company, or organization, in exchange for providing participants with financial education through FP.

Supervision

Devan Wyson, as Founder and Chief Compliance Officer of FP, is responsible for supervision. He may be contacted at the phone number on this brochure supplement.

Requirements for State Registered Advisers

Devan Wyson has NOT been involved in an arbitration, civil proceeding, self-regulatory proceeding, administrative proceeding, or a bankruptcy petition.


 

Ironforge LLC, DBA: Forthright Partners

9557 Belmont Bay Avenue

Las Vegas, Nevada 89148

(702) 688-2540

Dated November 2022

 

Form ADV Part 2B – Brochure Supplement

 

 

 

 

 

 

For

Devan Wyson 5474471

Founder and Chief Compliance Officer

This brochure supplement provides information about Devan Wyson that supplements Ironforge LLC, DBA: Forthright Partners (“FP”) brochure. A copy of that brochure precedes this supplement. Please contact Devan Wyson if the FP brochure is not included with this supplement or if you have any questions about the contents of this supplement.

Additional information about Devan Wyson is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov which can be found using the identification number 5474471.

 



Item 2: Educational Background and Business Experience

Devan Wyson

Born: 1985

Educational Background

•       2012 – Bachelor of Finance, Regis University

•       2019 – Master of Financial Services, The American College

 

Business Experience

•       06/2021 – Present, Ironforge LLC, DBA: Forthright Partners, Founder and CCO

•       09/2016 – 06/2021, LPL Financial, Registered Representative

•       09/2016 – 06/2021, Zions Bancorporation, Vice President/Wealth Advisor

•       01/2013 – 08/2016, CUSO Financial Services, Financial Advisor

•       01/2013 – 09/2016, One Nevada Credit Union, Registered Representative

•       01/2012  –12/2012, Commonwealth Financial Network, Registered Staff Member

•       10/2011 – 12/2012, Wyson Financial, Registered Representative

 

Professional Designations, Licensing & Exams

CFP (Certified Financial Planner)®The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® and federally registered CFP (with flame design) marks (collectively, the “CFP® marks”) are professional certification marks granted in the United States by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (“CFP Board”).

The CFP® certification is a voluntary certification; no federal or state law or regulation requires financial planners to hold CFP® certification. It is recognized in the United States and a number of other countries for its (1) high standard of professional education; (2) stringent code of conduct and standards of practice; and (3) ethical requirements that govern professional engagements with Clients. Currently, more than 71,000 individuals have obtained CFP® certification in the United States.

To attain the right to use the CFP® marks, an individual must satisfactorily fulfill the following requirements:

●      Education – Complete an advanced college-level course of study addressing the financial planning subject areas that CFP Board’s studies have determined as necessary for the competent and professional delivery of financial planning services, and attain a Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited United States college or university (or its equivalent from a foreign university). CFP Board’s financial planning subject areas include insurance planning and risk management, employee benefits planning, investment planning, income tax planning, retirement planning, and estate planning;

●      Examination – Pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Examination. The examination includes case studies and Client scenarios designed to test one's ability to correctly diagnose financial planning issues and apply one's knowledge of financial planning to real-world circumstances;

●      Experience – Complete at least three years of full-time financial planning-related experience (or the equivalent, measured as 2,000 hours per year); and

●      Ethics – Agree to be bound by CFP Board’s Standards of Professional Conduct, a set of documents outlining the ethical and practice standards for CFP® professionals.

Individuals who become certified must complete the following ongoing education and ethics requirements in order to maintain the right to continue to use the CFP® marks:

●      Continuing Education – Complete 30 hours of continuing education hours every two years, including two hours on the Code of Ethics and other parts of the Standards of Professional Conduct, to maintain competence and keep up with developments in the financial planning field; and

●      Ethics – Renew an agreement to be bound by the Standards of Professional Conduct. The Standards prominently require that CFP® professionals provide financial planning services at a fiduciary standard of care. This means CFP® professionals must provide financial planning services in the best interests of their Clients.

CFP® professionals who fail to comply with the above standards and requirements may be subject to CFP Board’s enforcement process, which could result in suspension or permanent revocation of their CFP® certification.

Item 3: Disciplinary Information

No management person at Ironforge LLC, DBA: Forthright Partners has ever been involved in an arbitration claim of any kind or been found liable in a civil, self-regulatory organization, or administrative proceeding.

Item 4: Other Business Activities

Devan Wyson provides consulting services to individuals. This activity is not provided for compensation and accounts for less than 10% of his time during trading hours.

Item 5: Additional Compensation

Devan Wyson does not receive any economic benefit from any person, company, or organization, in exchange for providing participants financial education through FP.

Item 6: Supervision

Devan Wyson, as Founder and Chief Compliance Officer of FP, is responsible for supervision. He may be contacted at the phone number on this brochure supplement.

Item 7: Requirements for State Registered Advisers

Devan Wyson has NOT been involved in an arbitration, civil proceeding, self-regulatory proceeding, administrative proceeding, or a bankruptcy petition.