Matt Ives

Chief Operating Officer

Matt Ives has been the Chief Growth Officer at Cogent since 2023 and the Chief Operating Officer since January of 2024. Prior to joining Cogent, Matt worked as the Managing Director for an Alternative Investments Firm, AJB Capital. While there, he led business development and capital raising for the firm, along with strategy and execution within its private equity operations.

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Before transitioning to AJB Capital, Matt worked at Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. Matt started as a Senior Analyst working within the Surety Programs Division and eventually became Senior Director of Business Operations. During his time as Senior Director, Matt led strategy, business development, marketing, and finance supporting operations. In addition to his Senior Director of Business Operations duties, Matt worked as a Program Manager of one of the unit’s contracts supporting Strategic Systems Programs. Matt also served as a member of the company’s 401(k) committee.

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Prior to working at Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc., Matt has served as a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones. During his time at Edward Jones, Matt managed $20M in assets and worked extensively with clients to develop creative strategies for retirement planning.

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Prior to work at Edward Jones, Matt served eight years in the United States Marine Corps as an Infantry Officer and deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His final duty station was at Naval Submarine Base King’s Bay in Georgia as the Operations Officer of Marine Corps Security Forces Battalion tasked with protecting our Nation’s strategic assets.

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Matt earned a BS in Economics from the United States Naval Academy and an MBA from Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina.