Baird Adds Talent in Baltimore, Easton, Opens Another Maryland Office

Global Financial Services Firm Continues Mid-Atlantic Expansion

Baird, an international, employee-owned wealth management, capital markets, private equity and asset management firm, is announcing that it has added five new financial advisors in the firm’s Baltimore office and opened another office location in Easton, Md., with a team of seven financial professionals. Both developments underscore the continued expansion of Baird’s wealth management business in the Mid-Atlantic region. The firm opened a new office in Baltimore in February.

Jim Hodges, Senior Vice President; Bryce Legg, Senior Vice President; Rebecca Ross, Vice President; Joseph McCann, Vice President; and SueAnn D. Griffin, Financial Advisor, have all joined Baird’s Baltimore office. Hodges will also serve as the Branch Manager.

Baird also opened its first wealth management office in Easton with The Satchell Group, four financial advisors with 33 years of combined experience: Steve Satchell, Senior Vice President; Jack Anthony, Vice President; Cheryl Palumbo, Financial Advisor; and Darin Roser, Financial Advisor.

“We are very excited about our continued expansion in the Mid-Atlantic region,” said Michael J. Schroeder, Director, Private Wealth Management. “By adding these talented financial professionals, Baird demonstrates our continued success attracting top advisors who are committed to providing the best financial advice and service to high net worth individuals, families and corporations in the region.”

James E. Furletti, Senior Vice President and Associate Manager of the Baltimore branch added, “We are very focused on recruiting the best talent. Baltimore and Easton are key markets for Baird, and these financial professionals will enhance our ability to offer the best and most comprehensive service to Mid-Atlantic clients. We are thrilled to have them as a part of the Baird team.”

In addition to the Baltimore and Easton offices, Baird has more than 50 employees working out of two offices in the greater Washington, D.C. : a Private Wealth Management and fixed income institutional sales office in Reston. Va. and an investment banking and equity research office in McLean, Va.

Baird’s Private Wealth Management business continues to grow around the country. In 2008, the firm added 59 veteran Financial Advisors – an 84% increase over the previous year. Since the beginning of 2009, Baird has already hired 62 advisors. Beyond adding talent, Baird’s Private Wealth Management business has added new offices in other key markets including Minnetonka, Minn., Philadelphia and Sacramento and has announced plans to open offices in San Francisco and various other locations on the east and west coasts.

Baird uses a comprehensive approach to financial planning and wealth management, supported by world-class research and technology. Baird Financial Advisors serve as personal wealth managers, developing customized financial strategies that address key concerns such as financial planning, asset allocation, tax management and wealth transfer. They are supported by nearly 60 in-house specialists in areas including estate planning, tax planning, investment research, and specialized services for business owners and corporate executives.

In addition to an average of 17 years of industry experience, nearly half of Baird’s Financial Advisors hold at least one professional designation or have qualified as a Senior Investment Consultant through Baird’s program at the University Of Chicago Booth School of Business. Baird’s ongoing investment in sophisticated tools helps Financial Advisors achieve a clear view of their clients’ goals, assets and strategies, and enables them to implement a broader array of investment solutions.

Leveraging a network of specialists, Baird Financial Advisors also work closely with business owners and corporate clients to address the specific needs of corporate executives, benefit coordinators and those in need of business transition planning.

About Baird Private Wealth Management
Using a consultative approach, Baird’s 600 Financial Advisors deliver comprehensive wealth management solutions to clients nationwide. They have the resources to oversee the complete financial picture for high-net-worth families and individuals with complex financial needs. Baird Financial Advisors managed and oversaw more than $44 billion in client assets as of Dec. 31, 2008.

About Baird
Baird is an employee-owned, international wealth management, capital markets, private equity and asset management firm with offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. Established in 1919, Baird has more than 2,400 associates serving the needs of individual, corporate, institutional and municipal clients. Baird oversees and manages client assets of $62 billion. Committed to being a great place to work, Baird ranked 14th on FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” in 2009 – its sixth consecutive year on the list. Baird’s principal operating subsidiaries are Robert W. Baird & Co. in the United States and Robert W. Baird Group Ltd. in Europe. Baird also has operating subsidiaries in Asia supporting Baird’s private equity and investment banking operations. For more information, please visit Baird’s Web site at www.rwbaird.com.