Charlotte Financial Veteran Landrum Henderson Joins Baird, Begins Recruiting for New Charlotte Office

Charlotte area financial veteran Landrum H. Henderson, Jr., formerly of Bank of America, has joined Baird as a Senior Vice President and has begun interviewing financial advisors to establish the firm’s first wealth management office in downtown Charlotte. Henderson will serve as the Manager of the future branch location.

Baird, an international, employee-owned wealth management, capital markets, private equity and asset management firm, continues to expand its footprint in North Carolina and the Southeast. Currently, the firm has investment banking and fixed income institutional sales offices in Charlotte. Baird’s Private Wealth Management business also opened an office in Winston-Salem last month, complementing a public finance office that opened in July. More broadly in the region, Baird opened wealth management offices in Baltimore and Easton, Md. earlier this year.

“We are pleased to add Landrum to the Baird team committed to building on our presence in North Carolina and the Southeast,” said Michael J. Schroeder, Director of Baird Private Wealth Management. “This strategic expansion will complement the firm’s current operations in the region, bringing our wide variety of services closer to current and prospective clients. We’re excited about the additional opportunities this will create for talented professionals interested in joining Baird.”

A 35-year industry professional, Henderson previously worked as Senior Vice President, Complex Director for Bank of America. Additionally, his career highlights include nearly 10 years as Senior Vice President Regional Director – Carolinas and Georgia with Legg Mason Wood Walker and nearly 20 years with Merrill Lynch in management and advisor roles. Henderson has lived and worked in Charlotte for more than 20 years.

“Landrum is well respected in the Charlotte community, and embodies the qualities most important to Baird. He will be an indispensable asset as our Private Wealth Management business establishes a presence in Charlotte and actively recruits more high caliber talent to support that operation,” said John Mabee, Managing Director and National Director of Branch Development.

“Baird’s strong ‘client first’ culture; the firm’s independence and employee ownership; and reputation as a great place to work attracted me to the firm.” Henderson said. “Throughout my career, Baird has always stood out for its commitment to quality and excellence.”

Baird’s Private Wealth Management group has added 100 Financial Advisors since the beginning of 2009, the vast majority of whom are industry veterans. Beyond adding talent, Baird has also opened new Private Wealth Management offices in other key markets including Winston-Salem, Denver, Sacramento, Calif., Baltimore and Easton, Md., Philadelphia, and Minnetonka, Minn., and announced plans to open offices in San Francisco and Nevada. Some of Baird’s other businesses including Investment Banking and Public Finance have opened offices in these new markets as well.

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 needs 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.

About Baird Private Wealth Management
Using a consultative approach, Baird’s more than 650 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 $53 billion in client assets as of Sept. 30, 2009.

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
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 approximately 2,400 associates serving the needs of individual, corporate, institutional and municipal clients. Baird oversees and manages client assets of more than $73 billion. Committed to being a great place to work, Baird ranked number 14 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 an operating subsidiary in Asia supporting Baird’s private equity operations. For more information, please visit Baird’s Web site at www.rwbaird.com.