Executive Committee

Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer

Paul E. Purcell is Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer of Baird Holding Company, Baird Financial Corporation and Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated. Purcell joined Baird in 1994 and served in a variety of capacities, including Chief Operating Officer, before becoming President & Chief Executive Officer in 2000. He added the title of Chairman in 2006. Purcell is a member of the Baird Financial Corporation board of directors and Robert W. Baird & Co. board of directors. Prior to joining Baird, he spent 22 years with Kidder, Peabody & Co., where he was a Managing Director and head of the Midwest Investment Banking Group.

In addition to his duties at Baird, Purcell serves on the RC2 Corporation Board of Directors, the Alverno College Board of Trustees, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business Advisory Council, the University of Notre Dame Mendoza School of Business Advisory Council, Schools That Can – Milwaukee Board of Directors, the Greater Milwaukee Committee Board and Executive Committee, the Board of Discovery World, the United Performing Arts Fund Board, the Junior Achievement of Chicago Board of Directors, the United Way of Greater Milwaukee’s Board and the Board of Directors of RiverFront Investment Group, LLC. He is past Vice Chairman and member of the Board of Directors of Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) as well as the former Chairman of the Board of Directors at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School.

He received an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business (1971) and is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (1969). In 2009, he received the University of Chicago Booth School of Business Distinguished Corporate Alumni Award.

Managing Director
Director of Investment Banking

Steve Booth is Director of Investment Banking overseeing Baird's global corporate finance and M&A activities. Steve also co-manages Baird's Equity Capital Markets Group and is a member of the board of directors and Executive Committee of Robert W. Baird & Co. Steve has extensive experience originating and directing M&A and equity financing transactions in a wide variety of industries.

Before heading Baird's Investment Banking Group, Steve had previously led its Global M&A business and prior to that, its Industrials Group. Prior to joining Baird in 1994, Steve was at Kidder, Peabody & Co. in its Chicago Corporate Finance Office. Steve received his MM degree, with distinction, from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and holds a BBA in Finance and a BA in Economics, magna cum laude, from Southern Methodist University.

Managing Director
Director of Baird Private Equity

Paul Carbone is Director of the Private Equity Group for Robert W. Baird & Co. Paul also serves as Chairman of the Investment Committee for Baird Venture Partners and Managing Partner and Chairman of the Investment Committee for Baird Capital Partners. He was previously Managing Partner of Baird Venture Partners and prior to 1999 was Co-Director of Investment Banking responsible for Baird's mergers and acquisitions advisory practice. Paul is also a member of the board of directors of Baird Financial Corporation, Robert W. Baird Group Limited, Baird Capital Partners Europe, Baird Asia Limited, Illinois Venture Capital Association, and the Wisconsin Technology Council. Prior to joining Baird in 1994, he was a Senior Vice President in the Investment Banking Group at Kidder, Peabody & Co. Paul also is on the board of directors of several civic, cultural and charitable organizations including the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the University of Wisconsin Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center.

He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of The College of the University of Chicago and a member of its Visiting Committee. Paul received his MBA from the Harvard Business School.

Managing Director
Chief Human Capital Officer

Leslie Dixon has more than 25 years of human resources experience. She has held numerous positions in human resources and training & development, primarily in the financial services industry.

Leslie joined Baird in 1987 and currently serves as the firm’s Chief Human Capital Officer. She focuses on strategic issues, and works with Chairman, President & CEO Paul Purcell and other members of senior management to further organizational effectiveness and associate development. She oversees Human Capital, Facilities, the Travel/Corporate Events Department, Marketing and Communications and assists with the administration of the Baird Foundation. She is most proud of Baird’s recognition of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For – for the past 8 consecutive years.

Leslie holds a BS in Philosophy, with a concentration in business, communications and psychology, from Miami University of Ohio. She has been actively involved in the Human Resources Committee for the Securities Industry Association (now called SIFMA) since 1999, assuming the role of Chair in 2005-2006. In 2009, the group spun off from SIFMA after some reorganization and under Leslie’s leadership, they continue to meet and network throughout the year. In 2006 and 2007, she served as Co-Chair of the YWCA's Circle of Women event, the primary fundraiser for the YWCA of Greater Milwaukee. She is on the Board of Directors for the Milwaukee College Preparatory School, formerly the Marva Collins Preparatory School. She is a member of Professional Dimensions, a Milwaukee-based professional women’s organization. Leslie is also the Chair of the Executive Council for FUEL, an organization dedicated to attracting more diverse, young talent to southeastern Wisconsin.

Managing Director
General Counsel & Secretary

Glen F. Hackmann is a Managing Director, as well as the General Counsel and Secretary for Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated. He is also a member of the board of directors of Robert W. Baird Group Limited, Baird's European operation. In addition, he Chairman of Baird's Audit Committee and Risk Management Committee.

Prior to joining Baird in 1984, Glen was Chief Counsel for ContiCommodity Services, Inc. in Chicago and, prior to that, was General Counsel of Reinholdt & Gardner in St. Louis. Glen is a former member of the District 8 Committee of the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD). He is also a former member of the Executive Committee of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association's (SIFMA) Legal & Compliance Division, as well as the former Chairman of the SIFMA's State Regulation & Legislation Committee.

Glen earned an AB in English Literature and a JD from the University of Missouri. He is currently a member of the board of directors for the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF), a board he chaired for two years. In addition, he served six years each on the boards of the Milwaukee Ballet Company and the Florentine Opera Company, including serving as Florentine Opera president from 2001-2003. Glen was honored nationally with the Americans for the Arts Michael Newton Award in 2005 in recognition of his commitment to the united arts fund movement. In 2009, UPAF awarded Glen the Mrs. Walter H. Stiemke Award, its highest honor, in recognition of his extraordinary dedication to the performing arts and UPAF.

Managing Director
Fixed Income Capital Markets Director

Pat Lawton is the Managing Director of the Fixed Income Capital Markets Group. He is also on the Baird Fixed Income Capital Markets Committee and the Diversity Steering Committee. Prior to joining Baird in 1988, he spent seven years at Merrill Lynch in the Fixed Income Capital Markets Group in Chicago.

Prior to Merrill Lynch, he worked for three years for the Milwaukee Investment Center of M&I Bank. Pat earned a BSBA, with majors in Economics and Finance, and an MBA from Marquette University.

Managing Director
Director of Risk Management

Mark is Baird's Director of Risk Management. He joined Baird in 1993 and has served in a variety of capacities, including Chief Administrative Officer – Global Capital Markets, Director of Corporate Development, and Chairman of Baird's UK Equity Capital Markets Group. He is also a member of Baird's Executive Committee. Prior to joining Baird, he spent 15 years in various roles within the financial services industry.

Mark received an MBA, with high honors, from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and is a graduate of Carroll College. He also holds the professional designation of Chartered Financial Analyst.

Managing Director
President - Private Wealth Management

Mike Schroeder is President of Baird Private Wealth Management. Since 2001, he has been responsible for all sales and operating activities of Baird’s Private Wealth Management network and oversees Financial Advisor Services, Private Asset Management, and other units supporting the efforts of Financial Advisors, who serve Baird’s individual, institutional and corporate clients.

Mike is a member of the Baird board of directors and the firm’s Executive, Human Capital, Credit, Investment Advisory, Operations, Product Management and Diversity Steering committees. Prior to being named a Regional Director of Private Wealth Management in 1995, Mike was a Portfolio Manager, serving both individual and institutional investors. He joined Baird in 1986 and started his career as a Financial Advisor.

Mike received a BBA in Finance, Investments and Banking from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and is a graduate of the Securities Industry Institute at The Wharton School of Business

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Managing Director
Chief Operations Officer

As Chief Operations Officer for Baird, Russ oversees the Operations Administration, Cashiering, Cash Management, Client Services, Fee Based Administration, Purchase & Sales and Mutual Fund Operations Departments. He also served as the company’s Chief Financial Officer during 1999 as well as the Chief Information Officer from 2005-2009. Russ serves on multiple committees at Baird, including the Executive Committee, Product Strategy Committee, Risk Management Committee and Leadership Development Committee, among others. He has 28 years of experience in the industry

Prior to joining Baird in 1984, Russ spent three years with Arthur Andersen. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Marquette University and is a Certified Public Accountant. Russ also attended the Securities and Industry Institute at the Wharton School of Business.

Russ maintains an active role in the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) where he chairs the Private Client Operations Committee and is a member of the Operations and Technology Steering Committee.

Managing Director
Chief Investment Officer

Mary Ellen has over 29 years of investment experience managing various types of fixed income portfolios. Prior to joining Baird Advisors, Mary Ellen was President and Chief Executive Officer of Firstar Investment Research and Management Company (FIRMCO) and was Director of Fixed Income. She is responsible for the formulation of fixed income strategy as well as the development and portfolio management of all fixed income services.

Mary Ellen serves on the board of Robert W. Baird & Co., as President of the Baird Funds, and is chair of the Baird Diversity Steering Committee. Mary Ellen obtained her undergraduate degree from Marquette University and her MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She received the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1983. Mary Ellen is currently a member of The CFA Institute and is a member of the CFA Society of Milwaukee. View full biography

Managing Director
Head of Equities

Bob Venable is Head of Equities for Robert W. Baird & Co., overseeing equity research, sales and trading. He is a member of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Capital Commitment and Investment Policy Committees. Bob also sits on the Investment Committees for Baird Capital Partners and Baird Venture Partners.

Prior to joining Baird in 1996, Bob was with Ameritech Venture Capital and co-founded and took public a wireless technology firm. He began his career with Procter & Gamble.

In the community, Bob is Vice-Chair of the Executive Board of the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee; Vice-Chair of the Board of Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital; and a Trustee of The University School of Milwaukee.

Bob received an MBA with honors from the University of Chicago, and a BS in Agricultural Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a CFA charterholder.  

Managing Director
Chief Financial Officer

Nick joined Baird in 1995 and currently serves as Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to being named CFO in 2011, Nick spent 16 years in Baird’s Investment Banking Department where most recently he was Chief Operating Officer. Previously, he was responsible for managing the Investment Banking activities in the Services and Technology sectors, and his client activities were primarily focused on providing M&A advisory and financing services to growth-oriented companies in the Business Services industry.

Prior to joining Baird, he spent nine years in the Investment Banking Group at Kidder, Peabody & Co., where he focused on growth companies in service industries. Earlier, Nick spent five years with Beatrice Companies in various financial capacities, including Manager-Treasury for the International Food Segment.

Nick received an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and a BS in Finance with highest honors from the University of Illinois.