Raymond James & Associates Private Client Group has announced new leadership appointments and divisional realignments following the firm's recent acquisition of Morgan Keegan. Erik Fruland was named chief operating officer and senior vice president. A 20-year veteran of Raymond James, Fruland most recently served in asset management services, where he was vice president and a member of the AMS investment committee. The additional appointments and divisional realignments are as follows: southern, headed by co-division directors Dick Ferguson and Bill Geary; eastern, headed by Ira Federer; Great Lakes, headed by Bill Roney; southwestern, headed by Patrick Allison; and north central, headed by John Kuklenski.
The Investment Program Association has hired Ken Montgomery as director of education. Montgomery will lead the IPA in strategic planning and its commitment of educating financial advisors regarding the use of direct investments for portfolio diversification. Montgomery previously served as director of the Wealth Management Academy for 1st Global.
BNY Mellon's wealth management business has named Jackie Franey sales director for its Charitable Solutions Group. Based in Dallas, Franey will advise organizations regarding fundraising, philanthropic and wealth planning issues. Previously, Franey served as donor relations director at the Communities Foundation of Texas and she also managed the national planned giving program for the American Heart Association, where she grew annual revenue to more than $100 million.
Aspiriant has appointed Principal Sandi Bragar to the position of director of planning. In her new role, Bragar is responsible for establishing and maintaining the firm's wealth planning philosophy, service offerings to clients, and communications and training resources for the professional staff. She also chairs the firm's wealth planning committee and serves on its client service committee.
Northern Trust has promoted Michele Havens and Dino De Vita to personal financial services presidents on the west coast. In their new roles, Havens and De Vita will be responsible for managing financial consulting, investment management, trust and estate planning, as well as private and business banking. Havens will lead the Los Angeles region and De Vita serves the Seattle region.
--Kathy Lynch