Baird Names Wypiszenski Chief Operating Officer of Private Wealth Management

Baird, an employee-owned international wealth management, capital markets, asset management and private equity firm, announced today it has added Denise Wypiszenski as Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer of Baird’s Private Wealth Management group. Wypiszenski will focus on supporting Baird’s Financial Advisors and branch offices nationwide to better serve clients and grow the business. She also will help advance ongoing recruitment, financial advisor training and other key strategic initiatives.

Most recently Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Western Division of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, a division of Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS), Wypiszenski began her industry career in 1993 as a financial advisor. She developed and managed a book of business that put her in the top of her hiring class before taking on the role of National Training Officer at Smith Barney. She went on to serve in executive roles ranging from branch and sales management to recruiting and operations at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and its predecessor firms. Wypiszenski may be contacted at 800-537-9854 ext. 2679 or DWypiszenski@rwbaird.com.

In her new role, Wypiszenski will report directly to Michael J. Schroeder, Director of Private Wealth Management, and work out of offices in both Milwaukee and Chicago.

“Although the last year has presented its challenges, it also has provided some of the best opportunities to make long-term investments in our business, including recruiting high-caliber talent like Denise,” said Paul E. Purcell, Baird Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer. “We’re very pleased she chose Baird as a great place to build upon her already extensive industry experience.”

“Denise is a tremendous addition to our Private Wealth Management leadership team and to Baird,” Schroeder said. “Her wealth of experience and deep industry knowledge make her an ideal fit given our ongoing commitment to be the best financial partner with our clients and our continued growth.”

Baird’s Private Wealth Management group has added nearly 100 Financial Advisors since the beginning of 2009, the vast majority of whom are industry veterans. Wypiszenski is the latest in a series of female veterans to join the firm, which continues to grow around the country. In total, Baird’s Private Wealth Management business has hired 170 wealth management professionals this year.

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., Minnetonka, Minn., and Philadelphia, 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.

“I’m excited to be part of the continued growth and expansion of Baird,” Wypiszenski said. “I was attracted to Baird by the caliber and sincerity of the people, the Midwestern values they embody and their obvious pride in being part of an independent, employee-owned firm. The firm’s strong ‘client first’ focus and reputation as a great place to work, as noted by FORTUNE magazine for the last six years, were key factors in my decision to join the Baird team. Baird’s continued hiring success demonstrates that those attributes are resonating with others as well.”

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 $48 billion in client assets as of June 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 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.