William Blair & Company Announces John Brennan as
Head of Private Wealth Management
22 Feb 2008
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--William Blair & Company today announced that John Brennan will join the firm as head of Private Wealth Management, a new position. Mr. Brennan most recently was president of Bank of America Illinois and a LaSalle Bank transition leader. Mr. Brennan will report directly to Michelle R. Seitz, CFA, head of Investment Management and a member of the firm’s executive committee.
John Brennan, a 22-year veteran of the financial services industry, has extensive experience in market strategy development and execution. In his role as regional president of Bank of America’s Private Bank for the central region, Mr. Brennan was responsible for a $52 billion portfolio in as many as 15 states and a staff of approximately 700 professional-level associates. He received both his undergraduate and MBA degrees from Vanderbilt University, Owen Graduate School of Management. Mr. Brennan is extensively involved in civic and community organizations, including the Shedd Aquarium Board of Trustees, PBS’s Window to the World, Chicago Library Foundation, and the Lyric Opera Board.
William Blair & Company is increasingly known for its prominence in the asset management business, with a global footprint of more than $58 billion as of December 31, 2007. The firm also has been a well-respected provider of private wealth management services for more than 70 years, recognized as one of the top 30 private banks by Barron’s¹ since 2000 (the first year of the ranking), and ranked by Crain’s² as the No. 7 money manager in Chicago in 2007. The firm works with ultra-affluent private investors, families, and entrepreneurs to provide innovative and sophisticated wealth management solutions. With more than $17 billion in private wealth assets as of December 31, 2007, the firm’s advisors deliver both the resources of a large, full-service firm and the hands-on approach of a sophisticated boutique.
“John will be an instrumental member of our leadership team. His background serving a sophisticated client base, combined with his exceptional leadership, will be a great addition to the existing talent in our Private Wealth Management business,” said Ms. Seitz. “While we manage portfolios for clients in all 50 states and internationally, we have long-standing and deep client relationships in our headquarters city of Chicago; and we are focused on growing this valuable part of our Investment Management franchise.” All of the firm’s money managers and research analysts are based in Chicago, allowing for rare and valuable daily interaction and strategic portfolio construction and management.
Ms. Seitz has made several high-profile leadership hires in the past year as part of building her senior management ranks, including Patrick Sheppard from Mellon Financial/The Boston Group; Tom Ross from bfinance in the United Kingdom; and now John Brennan from Bank of America.
About William Blair & Company
William Blair & Company, L.L.C. is a Chicago-based investment firm offering investment banking, asset management, equity research, institutional and private brokerage, and private capital to individual, institutional, and issuing clients. Since 1935, we have been committed to helping clients achieve their financial objectives. As an independent, employee-owned firm, our philosophy is to serve our clients' interests first and foremost. We place a high value on the enduring nature of our client relationships, the quality of our products and services, and the continuity and integrity of our people. William Blair & Company’s offices include Chicago, Boston, London, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Zurich. For more information, please visit www.williamblair.com.
About William Blair Investment Management
William Blair Investment Management is the money management operation of William Blair & Company, L.L.C., consisting of the institutional, mutual fund, high net worth, and private wealth management businesses. With $58 billion in assets (as of December 31, 2007), William Blair Investment Management provides customized and structured portfolios for cash, domestic fixed income, and domestic, international, and global equities. The group also acts as the investment advisor to a family of 17 open-end mutual funds. More information about the William Blair Funds is available at www.williamblairfunds.com.
Disclosure:
1. Barron’s,”2007 Top Wealth Managers in the U.S.,” and “A Perfect Fit,” 10/22/07. Ranked by assets under management for individual clients with accounts of $1 million or more, as of June 30, 2006.
2. Crain’s Chicago Business, “Chicago’s Largest Money Managers,” 8/27/07. Ranked by total assets managed as of June 30, 2007. Assets managed out of the Chicago office only. List includes firms with offices in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties that broke out locally managed assets.
©William Blair & Company, L.L.C., distributor. 02/08
Contacts
William Blair & Company, L.L.C.
Tony Zimmer
312-364-8611
tzimmer@williamblair.com
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