Baird Hires Wealth Management Veterans; Announces Plans To Open Offices In Philadelphia, Baltimore

Baird, an international, employee-owned financial services firm, today announced that three veteran wealth management professionals have joined the firm. Brian J. McGrath, Senior Vice President, Branch Manager, and E. Howard “Howdie” Goodwin, Jr., Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor, will be instrumental in establishing Baird’s first Private Wealth Management offices in the greater Philadelphia area. Similarly, James E. Furletti, Senior Vice President, Branch Manager, will play a lead role in launching Baird’s first wealth management offices in the greater Baltimore area.

The new offices reinforce Baird’s commitment to serving high-net-worth clients with complex financial needs in the Mid-Atlantic region, where the firm currently has two offices in the greater Washington, D.C., area with more than 50 associates. Baird opened a Private Wealth Management and fixed income institutional sales office in Reston, Va. Baird also has an office in McLean, Va., for its investment banking and equity research operations.

Plans call for Baird to open multiple wealth management offices in both the Philadelphia and Baltimore markets over the next few years.

“We are very pleased to welcome Brian, Howdie and Jim to Baird, and further solidify our presence in the Mid-Atlantic region,” said Paul Purcell, Baird Chairman, President & CEO. “This strategic expansion will complement our established operations in the greater Washington, D.C., area, bringing our broad array of services closer to current and prospective clients, and creating additional opportunities for talented professionals interested in joining Baird.”

A 28-year industry veteran, McGrath was previously Senior Vice President-Investment Officer and Complex Manager for Wachovia Securities and its legacy firm Wheat First Butcher Singer in Princeton, N.J, and Conshohocken, Penn. Prior to joining Wachovia in 1995, he held several positions including Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the New York-based Gabelli Asset Management Company, and Sales Manager, Resident Manager and Financial Consultant for Merrill Lynch’s Philadelphia and Baltimore complex of offices. Goodwin, who has 33 years of industry experience, was previously a Managing Director for Wachovia Securities. During his career, he has been an Investment Officer and Branch Manager. McGrath and Goodwin are joined by Veronica Hartnett, Office Administrative Supervisor.

Furletti, who is a 22-year industry veteran, was formerly Vice President, Financial Advisor and Assistant Branch Office Manager for Smith Barney in Baltimore. He spent 20 years with Legg Mason before it merged with Smith Barney.

“We are very excited to expand Baird’s reach in the Mid-Atlantic region to include wealth management services in the greater Philadelphia and Baltimore areas,” said Michael J. Schroeder, Director of Baird Private Wealth Management. “Brian, Howdie and Jim bring tremendous experience to Baird and an appreciation for Baird’s unique culture. They will be invaluable in helping us recruit top talent who can offer comprehensive wealth management solutions to an expanded base of high-net-worth families and individuals, as well as business owners and corporate executives.”

Baird’s Private Wealth Management business continues to grow around the country. Over the past five years, PWM clients’ assets have increased 70 percent, with Baird now managing and overseeing more than $54 billion in client assets as of June 30, 2008. Within the last year, veteran Financial Advisor teams have been added in Minnetonka, Minn., Phoenix, Ariz. and Reston, Va. Baird recently announced plans to establish its first wealth management offices in northern California 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 Graduate 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 nearly 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 more than $54 billion in client assets as of June 30, 2008.

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 2,300 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 is one of FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” in 2008 -- its fifth 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.