Ira Utay

CFP®, CFA, MBA
Director
iutay@htsw.com
972-739-2032
Dallas
Let’s Connect

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree from University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Southern Methodist University

Certification(s) & Designation(s)

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®)
  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®)

About Ira

Ira Utay brings considerable wealth management experience to his role at Hightower Signature Wealth (formerly known as Frontier). Prior to joining the practice, Ira spent nearly a decade serving USAA and its high-net-worth members. He also ran a wealth management practice at a full-service broker-dealer. Ira formally became an advisor in 2005, but learned the business firsthand from his late father, who was a 25-year industry veteran.

Ira is a CFA® charterholder and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional. He graduated with high distinction from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Southern Methodist University.

Ira enjoys visiting new baseball stadiums, reading about the capital markets, and using his BBQ smoker with friends and family.

Ira’s Recommended Reads

  • 3 minutes

    Moe’s Market Memo – September 18, 2026

    Weekly data-driven insights on the markets and economy Mohammad Abouchleih, MBA, CIMA®Senior Investment Consultant Fed Hikes Rates The Federal Reserve approved a quarter-point interest rate increase on Wednesday, lifting its benchmark rate to 3.75%-4%. The move reflects ongoing concerns about elevated inflation, driven in part by higher energy prices and other economic pressures. Most Fed…

  • 5 minutes

    Weekly Wisdom: Fed Meeting Recap – Higher Rates, Stronger Growth

    The Fed Delivers a Rate Hike The Federal Reserve raised the federal funds target range by 25 basis points to 3.75%–4.00% at its September meeting, marking the first rate increase in more than three years.1 The decision was unanimous and largely anticipated by markets, but the more important message came from the Fed’s updated projections and…

  • 2 minutes

    The Most Powerful Financial Tool Women Have Isn’t Money. It’s Their Voice.

    Why Asking Questions May Be the Key to Financial Empowerment For years, conversations about women’s financial empowerment have centered on income, investing, and retirement planning. While those topics remain important, new research suggests the real catalyst for financial confidence may be something much simpler: asking questions. According to the Savvy Ladies 2026 Mid-Year National Women’s…