Baird Adds the Beck Qualley Group in Racine

Baird, an international, employee-owned wealth management, capital markets, private equity and asset management firm, today announced that it has added The Beck Qualley Group, a highly regarded local team of four wealth management professionals, to its Racine office. The team includes veteran Financial Advisors Gary Qualley, CFP®, Senior Vice President, and Joel Beck, Vice President, as well as Laurie Beck, Registered Client Relationship Associate, and Lynne Blodgett, Registered Client Relationship Associate. Beck will also serve as the Racine Branch Manager.

With addition of The Beck Qualley Group, the total number of Baird associates at the firm’s Racine branch increases to 20. Baird’s Private Wealth Management business operates 16 office locations in Wisconsin.

“We are pleased to have The Beck Qualley Group join Baird,” said Erik Dahlberg, Managing Director and Regional Director. “These well-respected and talented financial professionals are a great addition to our Racine branch and the firm. They share our values and client focus, and they enhance Baird’s ability to provide the best financial advice and service to high-net-worth individuals, families and corporations.”

Baird’s Private Wealth Management business continues to grow around the country. The firm added a record 77 Financial Advisors in the first half of 2009. Beyond adding talent, Baird’s Private Wealth Management business has also added new offices in other key markets including Sacramento, Calif., Baltimore and Easton, Md., Minnetonka, Minn., and Philadelphia, and announced plans to open offices in San Francisco and Nevada.

Baird uses a comprehensive, team-based 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.

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 $48 billion in client assets as of May 31, 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 more than 2,400 associates serving the needs of individual, corporate, institutional and municipal clients. Baird oversees and manages client assets of more than $66 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.