Why Wealthgate Trust

Alex Paul

Founder and CEO

Alex is CEO and corporate counsel for Wealthgate. He saw the need for innovative bespoke trust solutions in nearly two decades handling trust and estate as well as corporate matters, working with ultra high net worth families. Serving ultra-high net worth clients is Alex’s mission for Wealthgate Trust.

He currently provides legal counsel and sits on the board for LENA Research Foundation, and serves on Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law board. Alex earned his JD from Northwestern Law School.

David Pappas

Partner and Head of Finance/Operations

David is our Head of Finance/Operations, leading the Wealthgate Team and responsible for the overall operational direction of the firm. He brings 20+ years of senior and executive experience within the banking and financial services industries.

David previously was Founding Principal and CEO of FAO Strategy, Director of Accounting and Finance Operations at Harley-Davidson Financial Services, served on the Board of Directors of HDFS Bank, and SVP/CFO at Heritage Bancorp. David received his BS in Finance from the University of Nevada and MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Aaron Hegji

Wealth Strategist/Chief Fiduciary Officer

Aaron is our Chief Fiduciary Officer and Wealth Strategist, an attorney licensed in California and Nevada and Counsel at Harrison LLP, a prestigious national Trusts and Estate law firm. With a career rooted in estate planning and tax strategy complexities, Aaron brings valuable insights and lends his extensive expertise to our clients and their advisors.

Aaron also shares his knowledge as an instructor for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses on critical topics like multi-jurisdictional practice, charitable vehicles, Anticipatory Assignment of Income, and Economic Substance challenges. He works closely with the William S. Boyd School of Law at University of Nevada – Las Vegas, and the Nevada Bankers Association Trust Committee to expand academic offerings at the law school, trust conferences in Nevada, and to connect students with practitioners in the community.

Russel Geist

Director of Fiduciary Operations and BSA Officer

Russ is our Director of Fiduciary Operations and BSA Officer. An attorney licensed in Nevada and Texas, Russ earned his BA in psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, his JD from Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and his LL.M. in taxation from the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University. Russ has focused his practice on trusts and estates since earning his Master of Laws (LL.M) and spent a number of years working for an international bank. Most recently Russ has led the trust and estate department at a premier regional law firm. Russ' experience litigating contested trusts and probate estates while representing trustees in complex estates and trust administration has informed his skills as a planner and administrator.

Amanda Fish

Chief of Staff

Amanda is our Chief of Staff, managing Wealthgate's concierge services and developing the team culture. She has 15 years of experience in executive administration, client services, and project management.

Amanda was previously at Techstars, a pre-seed investment company based in Boulder, CO, and McDermott Will & Emery LLP. She earned her BA in journalism from the University of Maryland and is a 21/64 Certified Family Advisor.

Josh Peattie

Trust Administrative Officer

Josh is one of our Trust Administrative Officers, helping to administer and manage all aspects of the trust agreements our clients have in place to meet their personal and financial needs. He brings years of legal experience in problem solving and legal drafting earned at top Nevada law firms to Wealthgate with the objective to provide the best service to each client and trust.

Josh obtained a Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University and a BS from the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Nick Vanderberg

Trust Administrative Officer

Nick is one of our Trust Administrative Officers, helping to manage the trust accounts. He is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in investment management and trust custodianship. With years of dedication to the finance industry, Nick has spent most of his career working in the retirement industry, focusing on IRAs and 401K plans. His expertise and proficiency in account management make him an asset in navigating the complexities of trust administration and compliance. Nick holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Julie Sempson

Trust Administrator

Julie is our Trust Administrator, supporting the Trust Administrative Officer in the administration of trust accounts and providing excellent service to our clients.

Julie graduated from University of California and brings over 20 years of administrative experience to the Wealthgate team. She has worked in a variety of industries at different levels of administration and office management. Her wide knowledge of systems, processes, and administrative functions provides a strong foundation for the daily administration of trust accounts. Her focus is on providing excellent client support, communication, and diligence in the administration of each trust.