Baird Adds Four Veteran Financial Advisors in Madison

Talent Additions Underscore Firm’s Continued Growth and Success

Baird today announced that it has added six wealth management professionals to its two Madison-area offices, increasing the number of Baird associates to 42. The announcement demonstrates the continued growth and success of Baird, an international, employee-owned wealth management, capital markets, private equity and asset management firm. Baird’s Private Wealth Management business operates 16 office locations in Wisconsin.

Joining Baird’s Madison West office located at 8000 Excelsior Drive are Financial Advisors Christopher M. Yesbeck, CFP^®, Vice President, and Brook A. Delgado, CFP^®, Vice President, along with Registered Client Relationship Specialist Lisa Whinnery of The Yesbeck Delgado Group. Yesbeck and Delgado have 16 years of combined financial services industry experience. Dick Pfahler, Vice President and Financial Advisor, also is new to that office. Pfahler, who has 36 years of industry experience, is joined by Registered Client Relationship Specialist Debra Wolff.

Financial Advisor Meg Prestigiacomo has joined Baird’s Madison office located at One South Pinckney Street. She brings 10 years of industry experience to Baird.

“These well-respected and talented financial professionals are a great addition to Baird,” said Mike Witt, Associate Branch Manager of Baird’s Madison West branch. “We are very pleased that Baird’s strong culture, our people, our business model, and the deep partnerships we establish with clients made us the right place for them to serve their clients’ needs and continue to build their business.”

Said Tom Carroll, Branch Manager of Baird’s Madison branch, “It demonstrates our ability to attract top advisors who share our values and client focus, and are committed to providing 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. In 2008, the firm added 59 Financial Advisors – a nearly 85% increase in recruitment over the previous year. Since the beginning of 2009, Baird has hired 77 advisors. Beyond adding talent across the country, 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.

Teams enable Baird Financial Advisors to leverage their complementary strengths and develop advanced specialization for the benefit of clients. 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 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.