Illinois Public Finance Team

Managing Director

Thomas Gavin manages Baird’s Naperville Public Finance office and has nearly 25 years of public finance experience. Tom has worked directly with many Illinois and Midwestern issuers, and has had key roles in financings for the states of Michigan and Nevada, and the cities of Detroit, Chicago and Baltimore. He has structured many state and local government, recreation, transportation, public power, university, housing, hospital and industrial development financings. He has spoken before municipal bond industry groups, written for industry publications and served as guest lecturer at Notre Dame University and Michigan Technological University.

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Director

Stephan Roberts has more than nine years of public finance experience. In his capacity as an investment banker, he has worked closely with many Illinois clients, including the cities of Chicago, East Peoria and Wheaton, the villages of Bedford Park, Lansing and Glen Ellyn, and is a principal staff member on the city of Detroit account. He has structured issues for numerous local government, water and sewer, and tax increment financings. Stephan graduated summa cum laude from North Central College with a BS in Finance.
 
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Managing Director
St. Charles

Bill Hepworth works with school districts, park districts and other local governmental agencies throughout the state of Illinois, assisting clients in recognizing and developing potential financial resources. Prior to joining Baird in 2002, he worked as an auditor for local government and as a financial advisor to school districts for debt management and fiscally prudent expansion plans. Bill received his BS in Accounting from Illinois State University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Director

Gwen Arndt uses her extensive experience to assist our clients through the complexities of bringing a bond issue to a successful completion. She specializes in the preparation and coordination of closing documents and all details required for the completion of each transaction. Gwen’s other responsibilities include office management and service coordination among various areas of the firm. Gwen joined Baird in 2002 and has worked in legal and municipal finance since 1989.