Baird Public Finance Expands West

Firm Adds Team of Five, Opens New Denver Office

Baird, an employee-owned, international wealth management, capital markets, private equity and asset management firm, today announced it has added a team of five public finance professionals and opened a new office in Denver, Colo., expanding the firm’s Public Finance reach into the Rocky Mountain region. The team -- Brian Colon, Managing Director, Jim Blandford, Managing Director, Ann Erickson Gifford, Managing Director, Brian Kelso, Vice President, and Stacey Reid, Public Finance Coordinator, all formerly of Wachovia Securities – has over a century of financial experience combined. All five are operating out Baird’s new office location at 100 Fillmore Street, 5th Floor, Denver, Colo.

“We are thrilled to add this talented group of public finance professionals and open a Baird office in Denver. Their commitment to client service fits perfectly with ours.” said Keith Kolb, Managing Director of Baird’s Public Finance group. “Despite the current market conditions Baird’s Public Finance team is pursuing – and will continue to pursue – opportunities to enhance our talent, footprint and overall market share. We look forward to Brian and his team opening up the Western region for our Public Finance group.”

Baird’s Public Finance group has grown steadily, recently adding veteran talent in several new markets. Within the past two years, Baird has added Public Finance professionals to its Cincinnati and Nashville offices and opened operations in Exton, Pa.

“Baird has the resources, commitment to Public Finance and stability to provide our clients with the great service they deserve,” said Colon. “We are excited to be joining a firm which considers Public Finance to be a critical component, and we are looking forward to contributing to its further success and expanding Baird’s Western presence.”

The steady successful recruitment of top talent and expanding footprint has enabled Baird’s Public Finance business to grow its market share. In 2008 Baird significantly increased its national standing in Thomson Reuters’ Public Finance rankings. That growth has continued in the first quarter of 2009, and Baird now ranks:

      • Number one among managing underwriters for issues of $10 million or less;
      • Number four among competitive underwriters;
      • Number four among managing underwriters for issues of $50 million or less; and
      • Number 12 among managing underwriters. 

About Baird’s New Team
Brian Colon, Managing Director
Brian Colon has worked in public finance for more than 25 years. Most recently, he served as Managing Director and Manager of Western Region Municipal Products Group for Wachovia Securities (formerly AG Edwards). He holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of California – Santa Barbara and a master of business administration from the University of Denver.

Jim Blandford, Managing Director
Jim Blandford has worked in public finance for more than 23 years. Most recently, he worked as Vice President in Public Finance for Wachovia Securities (formerly AG Edwards). Prior to AG Edwards, Jim spent six years as a financial advisor and entrepreneur, managing Blandford and Co. LLC. He previously managed the Phoenix Public Finance offices for Piper Jaffray and Principal Financial Securities. Jim holds a bachelor of science degree from Arizona State University.

Ann Erickson Gifford, Managing Director
Ann Erickson Gifford has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Most recently, she worked as a Director for Wachovia Securities (formerly AG Edwards). Prior to AG Edwards, Ann did public finance work as a First Vice President at Stifel Nicolaus and a Vice President at Dain Rauscher. She also worked as an Associate at William Blair & Co. for several years. Ann holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Connecticut.

Brian Kelso, Vice President
Brian Kelso has over six years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Baird, Brian worked as an investment banker at Wachovia Securities (formerly AG Edwards) in the Public Finance department. He has a bachelor of science in business administration from Colorado State University.

Stacey Reid, Public Finance Coordinator
Prior to joining Baird, Stacey Reid worked at Wachovia Securities (formerly AG Edwards) since 2001 as a Product Specialist.

About Baird’s Public Finance Group
Baird is a major underwriter and financial advisor to municipalities, schools, government agencies and corporations. During the past five years, Baird has served as senior manager, co-manager or financial advisor for debt issues totaling $79 billion. Nationwide, Baird ranked number 4 in 2008 among competitive underwriters and ranked number 6 as an underwriter of negotiated issues of $20 million or less, according to Thomson Financial Securities Data. Baird also ranked as the No. 1 underwriter in the Midwest for negotiated issues under $50 million according to the same data. Baird was honored as advisor of the “Midwest Regional Deal of the Year” by The Bond Buyer in 2007.

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 2,300 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 number 14 on the 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.