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A compendium of municipal finance professionals who have switched firms in 2021.

Click here for the 2023 list.

Barclays

Carmen Vargas

Public finance banker Carmen Vargas joined Barclays as a director earlier this year.

Vargas reports to Tony Hughes, Western regional manager of municipal finance for Barclays.

She came to Barclays after nearly four years as a managing director at Samuel A. Ramirez & Co. where she managed the firm’s California public finance practice.

The California native launched her 24-year career as an investment banker working out of the New York City office for Citi. Back in the early 2000s, Hughes was working as a managing director and the western region manager for Citi.

One day, he stopped in Citi's New York office for a bond pricing.

“I was sitting in the bullpen and he was asking if there were people who wanted to come out to California,” Vargas said. “I am a Los Angeles native, so I told him I was interested.”

Vargas transferred to San Francisco to work for Hughes as an analyst and vice president, later moving down to that firm’s Los Angeles office.

“Having worked with Tony Hughes at Citi for 10 years, it’s great to be able to work with him again as a senior member of his team,” Vargas said.

Vargas is a founding member, current board member and past president of the Los Angeles chapter of Women in Public Finance.

Hughes said Vargas “has proven to be an exceedingly effective new business banker for some of the largest accounts in the public finance space, targeting the biggest and most significant issuers in Southern California, including the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the County of Los Angeles, and the State of California.”

“Those are frequent issuers, who often sell over $1 billion of bonds,” Hughes said.

“Working off of the Ramirez platform, she has done exceedingly well,” Hughes said. “I was delighted when she took my call and was willing to discuss moving over.”

The Barclay’s balance sheet will enable Vargas to go beyond traditional financings and offer issuers letters of credit, direct purchases of bond issues and forward commitments on bond issues, she said.

CEOPORTRAIT

Michael Taylor

Michael Taylor, a municipal and corporate credit research, trading, and portfolio management veteran, has joined Clinton Investment Management LLC.

Taylor, who has over 15 years of experience, will broaden the investment management firm’s research efforts, according to a press release.

“We are very proud to have someone of Michael’s caliber join our firm,” Andrew Clinton, the firm’s chief executive officer, said.

“I am confident that Michael’s breadth of knowledge with regard to taxable and tax-exempt fixed income, and his deep credit research experience will go further toward enhancing our in-house research capabilities,” he added.

The firm specializes in the professional management of fixed income portfolios on behalf of high-net worth, ultra-high-net-worth and institutional investors.

Prior to CIM, Taylor managed a financial services consulting practice. He previously spent four years at National Life Group/Sentinel Investments, managing a $3.4 billion portfolio of taxable municipal securities.

Taylor was also a senior municipal bond analyst at Columbia Threadneedle Investments.

A former board member and president of the Boston Municipal Analysts Forum, he has served on the Board of Governors of the National Federation of Municipal Analysts. He holds Bachelor of Arts and Master’s degrees from Marist College.

Seven join Ice Miller

Indianapolis-based Ice Miller LLP picked up a seven-member team that will expand its on-the-ground expertise in arbitrage rebate compliance.

The team of specialists, who are not lawyers, officially joined the firm’s public finance group Wednesday.

The team comes from Bank of New York Mellon and includes Samantha Duke, who joins the firm as a senior rebate manager. The others are Kristen Kalinowski, senior rebate analyst; Sally Johnson, senior rebate analyst; Kevin Crump, rebate analyst; Caroline Lee, rebate analyst; Ambereen Alequresh, rebate analyst; and Donna VanSlambrook, administrative assistant.

To see the full story, click here.

Modia Butler

Modia Butler was named chairman of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced.

State lawmakers in 1984 established the Atlantic City-based authority, which developed casino-related guidelines

Butler, a partner at Mercury Public Affairs, has held a seat on the CRDA board since November 2018. At Mercury, he advises clients across government, real estate development, education, healthcare, infrastructure and nonprofits.

Previously, Butler was chief of staff to Sen. Cory Booker.

Jeffrey Shah

Jeffrey Shah has joined law firm McGuireWoods as a partner in New York.

Shah, previously with Vinson & Elkins, brings more than a decade of experience on domestic and cross-border transactions.

Shah advises on PE funds and strategics on mergers and acquisitions transactions, joint ventures, partnerships and other deals. He’s handled numerous matters in energy, both conventional and renewables, as well as healthcare and technology.

His notable transactions include assisting a global alternative investment firm in its $2.8 billion sale of an oil and gas exploration and production company.

Michael Gutierrez

Disabled veteran-owned investment bank and registered broker-dealer Academy Securities has added Michael Gutierrez to its municipal sales force.

A 35-year veteran with extensive sales experience, Gutierrez comes to Academy from Citigroup, where he covered separately managed account complexes, tax-exempt money market funds, and regional money managers.

Gutierrez’ arrival comes at an opportune time, according to Rick Kolman, head of the municipal securities group at Academy.

“It is critical that we continue to strengthen our distribution capabilities," Kolman explained. "This is an exciting time for Academy Securities as we continue to expand all of our capital markets business lines.”

A brisk negotiated business last year is contributing to the current growth, according to Kolman.

The firm participated as co-manager for nearly 300 negotiated transactions in 2020, he noted.

Gutierrez will be instrumental on the sales side for two of the firm’s upcoming, senior-managed financings — a $105 million California Veterans’ Housing deal expected in August, as well as a Dallas-Fort Worth Airport transaction of between $225 million and $250 million to be priced in the late fall.

"Mike is a real pro, with strong relationships with SMAs — a growing sector of the asset manager business,” Kolman said in a release.

In his new role, Gutierrez will report to Academy's sales manager Bill Bingham and will be reuniting with former colleague Brian Stuebe, who joined Academy a couple of years ago after a 25-career at Citigroup.

In addition to beefing up its capital markets capabilities, the firm is also focused on its social mission of giving returning veterans an opportunity to start a career in finance, Kolman noted.

The firm is the nation’s first post-9/11 disabled veteran-owned investment bank, and is also a certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise, and a Minority Business Enterprise.

Gloria Chang

Gloria Chang was appointed as deputy director of the Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance.

Chang, who starts July 1, joins the state after a 43-year career with First Hawaiian Bank, where she worked in corporate banking, managed assets, and commercial loan documentation and compliance.

“I am honored and excited to join the team at the Department of Budget and Finance,” Chang said.

She received her MBA from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts.

She replaces Robert Yu, who is leaving to become the president and general manager of Oahu Transit Services.

Her appointment, made by Gov. David Ige, is subject to Senate confirmation.

Vien Le and Jose Franco

Vien Le and Jose Franco have joined Cabrera Capital Markets LLC’s Los Angeles office as senior vice president and associate, respectively.

Le, a public finance veteran who served as an investment banker and financial advisor started on June 1. Le has worked with California issuers, most notably the city of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, and assisted in coverage of the California State Treasurer’s Office, which includes multiple issuing arms.

Franco joined the firm at the beginning of 2021 a decade in the California State Treasurer’s Office, where he worked within the California School Financing Authority.

Natalie Brown

Chicago-based Mesirow Financial elevated its chief financial and chief administration officer Natalie Brown to president, replacing Dominick Mondi who retired in February.

Brown, 50, joined the independent, employee-owned financial services firm whose capital markets arm does public finance banking, in 2018 after 18 years at Nuveen, where she held senior accounting, finance, and investor relations positions.

To read the full story, click here.

Gittings Photography

Ronald Green

Ronald Green was hired as a partner in the Jones Walker LLP Corporate Practice Group on the economic development and public finance team.

Green will work with a broad range of clients, including public and project financing, public-private partnerships, securities, debt restructuring, infrastructure, and economic development.

Green was a Houston city council member, the controller and its chief financial officer. In the city, he led the issuance and refinancing of more than $15.5 billion in tax-exempt and $2.3 billion in taxable bonds, including more than $3.2 billion in conduit financing.

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Brian S. Patton

Brian S. Patton has joined Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth as a public finance tax associate.

Patton formerly worked as an associate at Orrick, Herring & Sutcliffe, LLP.

Stratton received his LLM in taxation from New York University School of Law and his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. He earned a master’s of science degree in commerce from the University of Virginia, McIntire School of Commerce.

Lammis Vargas

Lammis Vargas has been named Rhode Island deputy treasurer while also maintaining her role as director of unclaimed property, state General Treasurer Seth Magaziner announced.

“As treasurer, my top priority is providing Rhode Islanders with financial security and promoting economic growth. Lammis has played a critical role in our office’s efforts for the past six years,” Magaziner said.

Vargas has been the unclaimed property director since 2015. She manages the division's daily operations, budget, securities, audits, compliance and claims. In 2017, she led the implementation of the YourMoney system that reunited thousands of individuals with missing money.

Kevin Willens

Goldman Sachs managing director and Northeast public finance banker Kevin Willens is planning to retire next month, the company announced.

Over his 30-year tenure, Willens held many leading roles, including co-chief operating officer of the Public Sector and Infrastructure group in 2009 and co-head of PSI in 2011. Prior to that, he managed the firm’s national infrastructure public finance practice.

Willens was a key senior relationship banker for many of the industry’s largest issuers, including the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York; the State of New York, as well as infrastructure agencies throughout the Northeast.

He joined the firm as a vice president in the public finance department in 1982 and was named managing director in 2001.

Jeff Scruggs, managing director and co-head of PSI, will become both the business unit leader, while continuing his responsibilities for the overall strategy, growth, and direction of the group.

Bill Daley and Bervan Yeh will share co-chief operating officer responsibilities, focusing on driving growth for the franchise.

Janie L. Mines and Wendy Lawrence

Two U.S. Navy veterans have joined the ranks at disabled veteran-owned investment bank and registered broker-dealer Academy Securities, the firm announced this week.

Janie L. Mines assumes the role of senior vice president of inclusion and innovation. Wendy B. Lawrence, joined the firm’s advisory board.

Lawrence, a Navy veteran and former NASA astronaut, will provide real world subject matter expertise regarding the global landscape and its impact on the capital markets.

Mines, a former Naval Corps officer and first Black woman to attend and graduate from the United States Naval Academy, will focus on diversity in a changing workplace.

Academy’s president Phil McConkey and chairman and chief executive officer Chance Mims said both women add value to the social mission of the firm, which is also a certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise, a Minority Business Enterprise, and the nation’s first post-9/11 disabled veteran-owned investment bank.

The firm — which focuses on capital markets, municipal public finance, fixed income, and equity trading — provides insight into the dynamic geopolitical environment and the impact that foreign affairs, wars, and acts of terrorism have on global capital markets.

Lawrence completed over 1,225 hours in space. The retired Navy captain was a helicopter pilot with more than 1,500 hours of flight time. She is a decorated veteran, awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the NASA Space Flight Medal.

Mines transitions to the firm full-time after serving on its advisory board. A graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, she also the founded the Boyz to Men Club, Inc., a non-profit organization that assists adolescent boys in the community.

Ms. Mines received the National Women of Color in Business Award, Civic Volunteer of the Year award, the 9 Who Care Award for the Charlotte, N.C., Metropolitan area, and has been a South Carolina Black History honoree.

“There is no more diverse organization than the U.S. military and leaning into diversity is a natural fit at Academy Securities,” Mines said in a release.

Charles Matthews

Charles Matthews returned to a senior position at PFM after spending 10 years in investment banking. He will work in the firm’s financial advisory business, advising in the Mid-Atlantic and the South.

“It is wonderful to be working with Chuck again,” said JoAnne Carter, managing director and leader of PFM’s South financial advisory region.

Matthews left PFM in 2010 after 14 years of service to pursue a career in investment banking. In that time, he was a senior manager to issuers including Philadelphia; Norfolk, Virginia; Wilmington, Delaware; and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.

Matthews holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Princeton University and a master’s in finance from George Washington University.

He has been on several boards in his Northwest Philadelphia neighborhood, volunteered with youth sports organizations and co-founded an organization to promote voter education and awareness in the region.

Ballard Spahr hires four attorneys to expand M&A capabilities

Partner Maulin Vidwans and of counsel Jennifer Santangelo joined the firm’s finance department. Partner Ryan Udell and associate Adam Chelminiak will work in its business and transactions department.

The four began April 19.

Read the full story here.

Chris Powell and Sarah Gehring

UBS is expanding its institutional business with the arrival of two key hires in order to further develop a full-service municipal franchise that provides value and liquidity to customers.

Both Chris Powell and Sarah Gehring will be joining the ranks of UBS this spring as the firm expands its footprint in municipals, a source close to the firm confirmed.

Powell will join UBS as head of high-yield municipal trading on June 7, while Gehring will come on board as a municipal desk credit analyst on May 3.

Before joining UBS, Powell was a director of high yield municipal trading for two years at RBC Capital Markets. Prior to that, he worked for over a decade at Goldman Sachs, trading a variety of products and sectors including high-yield, high-grade taxable and Municipal Market Data rate locks.

A magna cum laude graduate from the State University of New York at Binghamton, Powell also earned a master’s of business administration degree from New York University.

Meanwhile, in her new position, Gehring will generate trade ideas with her in-depth knowledge of municipal credits and work closely with Powell as well as Robert Gardella, a director and municipal bond analyst and the sales and trading desks.

Her most recent positions included working for REORG, a third party credit research provider as well as three years prior as a municipal and high-yield corporate credit analyst at Jefferies.

Prior to that, she worked on the buyside, serving as a high-yield municipal credit analyst at both Neuberger Berman and TIAA-CREF Asset Management. In addition, she was a public finance investment banking associate at BB&T Capital Markets. Gehring graduated with honors from Guilford College and received her MBA from Columbia Business School.

Jarrod Smith

Michigan-based Dykema Gossett Pllc elevated a member of its public finance practice, Jarrod Smith, to lead the 16-member team.

Jarrod joined the law firm in 2016 after serving as a Michigan assistant attorney general for more than a decade.

Read the full story here.

Sunita Lough

The Internal Revenue Service said Thursday that Sunita Lough is returning to her prior position as head of the Tax-Exempt and Government Entities Division that includes oversight of municipal bonds.

Lough had moved up to IRS Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement in September 2019.

Read full story here.

John Bonnell

Thornburg Investment Management hired John Bonnell as portfolio manager and managing director on its municipal bond team.

He reports to co-heads of investments Jeff Klingelhofer and Ben Kirby.

Bonnell will join Eve Lando and David Ashley as a co-manager on seven municipal bond mutual funds as well as institutional strategies and separately managed accounts, collectively totaling $9.3 billion in client assets.

"John is an exceptional talent with a background in credit research stretching over three decades," said President and CEO Jason Brady in a statement. "With a focus on selecting the best relative value ideas, John's investment philosophy aligns with our highly active and fundamental investment approach, making him an outstanding addition to the global fixed income team."

Bonnell has over 30 years of municipal bond investing experience. He spent 25 years of his career at USAAwhere he was most recently a senior portfolio manager.

He also spent several years at Strong Capital Management and two years at OppenheimerFunds, Inc. as a senior portfolio manager.

DAVE BARFIELD LONELY FOX

Brian Crumbaker

Greenberg Traurig, P.A., announced that it has expanded its public finance and infrastructure practice by hiring municipal veteran Brian Crumbaker for its office in Tallahassee, Florida.

Crumbaker, formerly with Hopping Green & Sams, has extensive experience representing bondholders and corporate trust companies in cases related to distressed or defaulted high-yield tax-exempt bonds.

Read the full story here.

Jamie Torres-Springer

Jamie Torres-Springer was named commissioner of New York City’s Department of Design and Construction, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced.

Torres-Springer, who had been first deputy commissioner of the agency, succeeds Lorraine Grillo, who became the city’s senior advisor for recovery.

DDC is the design and construction manager for much of the city’s capital portfolio, working with other city agencies and the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget.

Torres-Springer has worked with public, private and nonprofit sectors for more than 20 years. He was a partner at HR&A Advisors, a New York-based real estate and economic development consulting firm, from 2006-2018.

His national practice included work on urban infrastructure; global resilience planning; open space projects; and citywide strategic plans for inclusive growth and sustainability.

He was lead consultant for preparation of de Blasio’s “OneNYC: A Strong and Just New York.”

Torres-Springer was also deputy director of the special initiative for rebuilding and resiliency in the mayor’s office after Hurricane Sandy, where he helped to create the city’s $20 billion long-term resiliency strategy, and as project director for the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corp. during its capital planning and approvals phase.

Susan Caron, Mark Chapman and Bill Lindsay

Mark Chapman and Bill Lindsay have joined Munistat Services as managing directors and Susan Caron was hire as vice president.

They will work in the Madison, Connecticut, office. The hires are part of an ongoing strategic growth initiative, the company said.

“We’ve known Mark and Bill for almost 20 years”, said Noah Nadelson, CEO of Munistat, said in a statement. “We grew up together in the business. Together with Susan, they bring a tremendous amount of experience and character. We look forward to delivering greater results for our clients with these new additions.”

The team in Connecticut specializes in quantitative financial analysis, capital improvement planning, preparation of rating agency presentations, tax and mill-rate impact studies, and structuring, negotiating and executing complex tax-exempt and taxable transactions.

Abby Mrozinski

Abby Mrozinski will take over as Wilmington Trust head of global capital markets (GCM), effective April 1, replacing Jack Beeson who is retiring.

“I couldn’t think of a more qualified person to take the reins, drive the business forward, and deliver the excellence that our clients and partners expect,” Beeson said. “It is with personal pride and the utmost confidence that I pass the baton to Abby, who will not only be a responsible steward of the business we built, but central to its continued transformation and success.”

Mrozinski spent the past four years as chief financial officer for the firm’s wealth and Institutional client services. The firm said Mrozinski “was a key leader in the merger of Wilmington Trust and M&T Bank.”

In 2019, she was named to the national American Banker Most Powerful Women in Banking: NEXT list, which recognizes the top 15 women in the banking profession, under age 40.

Roberto Roffo

Veteran municipal portfolio manager Roberto Roffo joined San Antonio-based financial services firm SWBC Investment Company, bringing a municipal fund with him, the firm said in a press release.

In conjunction with Roffo’s arrival at SWBC, the firm has partnered with AlphaCentric Advisors LLC to assume responsibility as investment sub-advisor of the AlphaCentric Municipal Opportunities Fund.
Roffo launched the fund on Dec. 31, 2019, while working as managing director and portfolio manager at R&C Investment Advisors, the fund’s previous sub-advisor.

In his new role, Roffo will help the firm broaden its suite of investment offerings as it continues to expand its presence in the U.S. marketplace, Chief Executive Officer John Tuohy said in the press release.

With more than a quarter century of experience in the municipal bond industry, Roffo is known for his use of derivatives, as well as extensive experience with various funds and strategies; has been recognized by Lipper Analytics and Morningstar for category leading performance over his career; and is often featured in financial media for his strategies and market insights.

His experience includes being part of a team that was responsible for raising over $50 billion in tax-exempt and taxable fixed-income assets.

Pi Tao Hsu

Pi Tao Hsu, a muni finance veteran who has worked at public agencies across the United States, has been named to head Siebert Williams Shank’s quantitative group, the firm announced Thursday.
“Over the past year, as the world was turned upside down by the pandemic, we have been adding top talent, growing our business and leaping to the front of the pack when it comes to pricing and structuring deals for our clients,” said Gary Hall, an SWS partner and head of infrastructure and public finance.

Hsu is the former Massachusetts Port Authority’s director of treasury, where she oversaw the authority's $2.5 billion debt portfolio and $1.7 billion in investments. She will be based out of Boston.

“Joining a team as talented and results-focused as SWS is a perfect match for me,” Hsu said. “Over the course of my career in public finance, I have always been focused on using quantitative analysis to secure the most efficient, highest-value deals and I will continue that approach in helping our clients maximize value in the market.”

Before working at the MPA, Hsu was the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency’s vice president for capital markets and treasurer. She has also served as the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s director of financial planning, the Jacksonville Electric Authority, Florida’s manager of capital financing projects and the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s as manager of strategic financial planning.

“Pi brings deep technical knowledge and innovative deal experience that we eagerly look forward to leverage for the benefit of our muni issuer clients,” Hall said. “Her approach, coming from the issuer side, will be invaluable in ensuring the analytical value we provide matches the needs of state and local governments navigating the current unprecedented times and beyond.”

Hsu holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from SooChow University and a Master of Business Administration from Syracuse University. She serves on the Board of Directors of Boston Women in Public Finance.

Elan Hiutin

Elan Hiutin has joined Wedbush Securities as managing director, investments, based at the firm’s Los Angeles headquarters.

He reports to branch manager Andrew Hutcheson.

Hiutin, who has more than 19 years of financial services experience, specializes in fixed income and municipal bonds.

He started as a financial advisor in 2002 with M.L. Stern & Co., which merged into Southwest Securities in 2008, and was subsequently acquired by Hilltop Securities Inc. in 2015.

“I chose Wedbush Securities because the company is headquartered in my hometown of Los Angeles,” he said. “As a very proud Angeleno, I know the firm has deep roots in this city since its founding in 1955. With Wedbush, I believe that there are no limits of how I can help my clients achieve their investment needs.”

Hiutin is a retired United States Marine and volunteersg with a number of youth-related health and wellness organizations.

Patrick Nugent/ Camera1/Patrick Nugent/ Camera1

Jeffrey J. Previdi

Jeffrey J. Previdi will serve as the vice chairman of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board for a second five-year term effective July 1 through June 30, 2026.

The announcement was made Tuesday by the Board of Trustees of the Financial Accounting Foundation, which oversees GASB and its sister organization, the Financial Accounting Standards Board known as FASB.

Previdi’s mission will continue to focus on enhancing stakeholder engagement with a primary focus on financial statement users.

He is a former credit analyst with Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, now known as S&P Global Ratings, who worked there for more than two decades in various positions that included managing director and project leader in the agency’s risk program.

Rebecca M Ickes

Lise Valentine

Lise Valentine, the deputy inspector general for audit and program review for the city of Chicago has been appointed the vice-chair of the Governmental Accounting Standards Advisory Council (GASAC) effective Feb. 24.

The appointment runs through Dec. 31, 2022. Valentine represents the Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA) on the GASAC.

The GASAC is responsible for advising the Governmental Accounting Standards Board on technical issues, project priorities, and other matters that affect standards-setting for accounting and financial reporting by state and local governments.

Valentine’s responsibilities in Chicago include independent analysis and evaluations of city programs and operations, issuing public reports, and making recommendations to strengthen and improve city services.

She earned a Ph.D. in communication studies from the University of Iowa, a master’s degree in accounting from DePaul University, and a bachelor of arts degree in humanistic studies from McGill University. Valentine is a certified inspector general auditor, certified internal auditor, and certified public accountant.

Amanda Stephens

Amanda Stephens, a member of The Bond Buyer Rising Stars class of 2020 has been promoted to partner by Orrick, effective Jan. 1.

“It took extraordinary grit, adaptability and character to complete one’s partner candidacy over the past year – and we believe those qualities are key to outstanding lawyering in the future,” said Orrick’s Chairman & CEO Mitch Zuklie said in a statement. “We have no doubt that we will be a stronger firm because of this exceptional class.”

In her private practice work, Stephens has advised on over $2 billion of publicly offered and privately placed charter school financings. Since the start of 2019 she has worked on over $1.5 billion in publicly offered independent school district financings.

“Amanda is one of the hardest working and dedicated lawyers that I’ve ever worked with,” said Orrick Partner Hoang Vu. “If we have a major project or critical deadline, there’s no one I’d rather have on my side than Amanda.”

Steven Schweitzer and Scott Mero

Veteran portfolio managers Steven Schweitzer and Scott Mero joined investment advisory firm The Swarthmore Group as partners and senior fixed income portfolio managers.

“The duo strengthens Swarthmore’s management team and positions the company for long-term growth in investment-grade, structured credit, and high-yield products,” according to a press release. The pair has nearly 50 years of combined fixed income experience in fundamental credit research, trading, and portfolio management.

“We are excited to attract top talent like Steven and Scott for the benefit of our existing and prospective clients,” said James Nevels, founder, chairman, and CEO of Swarthmore. “We continue to build upon the firm’s 29 years of client dedication, and we look forward to passing the baton to the next generation of leaders.”

Mero comes to Swarthmore from Credit Agricole where he was director of credit sales and trading, specializing in high-yield and investment-grade bonds and asset-backed securities. Prior to that, he served as U.S. co-head of the strategic credit trading group at ABN AMRO.

Schweitzer had been a principal and portfolio manager at Shenkman Capital Management, specializing in fixed income, credit analysis, and portfolio management.

Lisa Recupero

Veteran money market manager Lisa Recupero was named head of business development at Clarity Markets Holdings LLC, the parent company of Clarity BidRate Alternate Trading System.

In Recupero’s new role, she will serve as a primary liaison to issuers to ensure seamless execution and ongoing performance, along with expanding and promoting the platform to a wide array of industry participants, according to a company press release. She will also be integral in efforts to expand the Clarity BidRate public finance client base.

Before joining Clarity, Recupero was the manager of Goldman Sachs’ Municipal Money Market Finance Group for nine years, and prior to that, she spent nine years in a similar role at Deutsche Bank and two years in Bloomberg’s Municipal Bond Department.

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Anthony “Tony” R. Callobre

Anthony “Tony” R. Callobre joined Blank Rome LLP on Feb. as a partner in its finance, restructuring, and bankruptcy practice group and financial services industry group in the Los Angeles office.

He joins Blank Rome from Buchalter where he was a shareholder.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tony to our Firm,” said Grant S. Palmer, Blank Rome managing partner and CEO. “Tony brings an impressive track record and reputation for excellent client service on both the borrower and lender side of loan transactions to our firm. He is a tremendous value-add for our clients and we are confident that he will be an invaluable asset to his colleagues and our firm at large.”

John Ceffalio

John Ceffalio accepted a spot as senior municipals analyst at CreditSights, beginning Feb. 22.

He joins CreditSights from AllianceBernstein, where he was vice president and municipal credit analyst since 2010, responsible for reviewing BBB-plus and below credits from new issue calendar, secondary market opportunities, and surveillance on existing holdings.

Ceffalio was also the lead analyst for high-yield deals including Puerto Rico , Guam, American Samoa, high yield higher education and student housing credits and for all tax-backed and water/sewer credits west of Mississippi plus Illinois and the U.S. territories.

He is expected to cover similar credits at CreditSights.

Katie Koster

D.A. Davidson has hired California public finance banker Katie Koster, formerly of Piper Sandler, to expand its public finance footprint in California and the southwest.

“I was hired to build out the company’s southwest region, starting with California, then Arizona and Nevada, and potentially New Mexico and Hawaii,” Koster said. “We already have a strong presence in the Pacific Northwest, so we want to leverage that to grow in the states we have less of a footprint.”

To read the full article, published Feb. 16, click here.

Ryan Higgins

Crews & Associates added Ryan Higgins as a director in its New York City office, effective Feb 1.

He served as an advisor, underwriter or placement agent on more than 500 transactions in his 13-year career.

Previously, Higgins worked at RBC Capital Markets, as a senior member in the transportation and public-private partnership group. Before that, he worked at Hilltop Securities as an advisor and placement agent.

Rene Moreno

Crews & Associates added Rene Moreno as a director, effective Dec. 7, 2020. The firm is expanding into the Arizona market.

Moreno will specialize in Arizona municipalities and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) nationwide.

Moreno began his career in 2002 at RBC Capital Markets, joined Piper Sandler’s public finance platform in 2012, and Hilltop Securities in 2018.

Natarajan named to Federal Home Loan Bank advisory council

Nandini Natarajan, chief executive of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, has joined the Federal Home Loan Bank Boston advisory council.

The 14-member council consists of housing and community development leaders from throughout New England. They meet quarterly to advise on special programs for housing and community development and help implement affordable housing and community lending plans.

Natarajan has also been elected to the board of directors of the nonprofit National Council of State Housing Agencies.

Natarajan, the authority’s CEO since fall 2019 and its first female chief, has more than 25 years’ experience in housing finance. CHFA, which began in 1969, lends more than $500 million annually for affordable housing.

According to the authority, nearly 145,000 Connecticut residents have purchased their first homes with a CHFA below-market interest rate mortgage. Additionally, CHFA has built or renovated more than 55,000 affordable multifamily apartments.

The authority recently launched a three-year strategic plan to guide affordable housing investment.

Previously, Natarajan was chief financial officer of the Illinois Housing Development Authority and a financial advisor for Caine Mitter & Associates in New York.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and mathematics from Smith College and a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Christopher M. Brigati and Peter Belasco are join Valley National

Municipal industry veterans Christopher M. Brigati and Peter Belasco join Valley National Bancorp as senior vice presidents and managing directors of municipal investments.

The regional bank said it is eager to leverage their pair’s combined 50 years’ experience across multiple workstreams, including its $3.7 billion investment portfolio.

“Valley is committed to building a more dynamic Capital Markets and Wealth Management platform, and the addition of new talent and capabilities that Chris and Pete bring are important steps towards fulfilling that promise,” Rick Kraemer, chief financial services officer, said in a release dated Jan. 19. The pair started at Valley on Dec. 20.

Brigati and Belasco will be responsible for managing a municipal investment strategy and building a more comprehensive municipal offering to the bank’s customers.

Brigati most recently was managing director and head of municipal investments at Advisors Asset Management. Previously, he was managing director and head of municipal securities for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.

Belasco, meanwhile, brings over two decades of experience at Butler Muni LLC, after starting his career in the municipal industry at Cantor Fitzgerald.

Masterson Advisors hires two former Hilltop advisors on East Coast

Steven Kantor and Kayla MacEwen join a team that has mostly come from Hilltop, expanding Texas-based Masterson Advisors' reach deep into the Northeast.

For the full story, posted Feb. 4, click here.

Raymond James hires Tricolli from RBC as it plans national expansion

Raymond James has hired veteran municipal banker Jim Tricolli as a managing director.

Read the full story, posted Feb. 2, here.

Doulis, Scheuermann tapped for NY State comptroller’s office senior positions

Maria Doulis, named deputy comptroller, was vice president at the watchdog Citizens Budget Commission while Todd Scheuermann, assistant comptroller in the Division of Budget and Policy Analysis, had been secretary to Senate finance committee.

Read the full story, posted Feb. 2, here.

Gordon, Turner-Bond make partner at Nixon Peabody

Project finance and public finance attorneys Adam Gordon and Jade Turner-Bond were elected to Nixon Peabody LLP’s global partnership, effective Feb. 1.

Read the full story, published Jan. 29, here.

Rohanna Mertens

Monahan and Stavitski promoted by Roosevelt & Cross

Veteran investment bankers Scott Monahan and Charles C. Stavitski, members of Roosevelt & Cross’ public finance department, were promoted to executive vice presidents.

Monahan and Stavitski were also appointed to the firm’s board of directors, effective Jan. 12.

Monahan, who joined the firm in 2004, is currently responsible for coordinating the firm’s banking efforts on new business origination, transaction structuring, execution, quantitative analysis, and document preparation and review.

Stavitski, who joined the firm in 2007, currently focuses on new business origination, transaction structuring, execution, quantitative analysis, and document preparation and review and also assists in the administration of the firm’s variable rate demand bond program.

Jeannette Bond named of counsel at Greenspoon Marder

Greenspoon Marder LLP has named attorney Jeannette Bond of counsel as part of its public finance buildout.

Bond, who works in New York, was previously special tax counsel for the public finance team at McCarter & English LLP until her recent retirement from that firm after more than 20 years as special counsel.

For the full story, posted Jan. 26, click here

Vanessa Legbandt

Vanessa Legbandt has been promoted to equity shareholder of Stradling, Yocca, Carlson & Rauth, effective Jan. 19.

The firm said Legbandt is well-regarded for her straight-forward client service and has a wealth of experience serving as bond or disclosure counsel, including in complicated economic development transactions and financings for cities and counties in California.

Legbandt, based in Stradling’s Newport Beach office, has guided numerous redevelopment successor agencies through complicated financings, the firm said.

Cecilia Dyba

Cecilia Dyba has been promoted to equity shareholder at Stradling, Yocca, Carlson & Rauth, effective Jan. 19.

Dyba, experienced advising public agencies and underwriters in complex transactions, was recently added to the firm’s water, wastewater and electric utility financing practice, routinely serving as bond and disclosure counsel to issuers such as the East Bay Municipal Utility District, the Northern California Power Agency and Silicon Valley Power of Santa Clara .

She works out of the firm’s San Diego office and serves clients throughout California.

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Lawrence Chan

Lawrence Chan has been promoted to shareholder of Stradling, Yocca, Carlson & Rauth, effective Jan. 19.

Chan is an experienced bond and disclosure counsel, serving on a variety of public financing transactions throughout California, including financings for the State Public Works, Orange County, , the San Diego, and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.

Chan, based in Stradling’s Newport Beach, California, office is well-regarded for his thoughtful, careful approach to providing excellent client service.

Hilltop cuts some positions but plans to keep growing

Hilltop Securities trimmed its executive workforce coming into the new year — including a regional manager director in its advisory practice — but remains in growth mode, officials said.

“As a leading municipal investment bank, HilltopSecurities has realigned a few areas within our organization to better position ourselves for the tremendous growth we are experiencing,” said Hilltop Chief Executive Brad Winges (pictured). “The changes impacted less than 2% of our existing staff and we continue to hire public finance bankers across the United States who are focused on being full-service solution providers to the public entity sector, leveraging our vast resources.”

Steven Kantor, a regional managing director based in New York, was among those cut, according to sources.

To read the full story, posted Jan. 19, click here.

Alethia Nancoo

Alethia Nancoo joined Squire Patton Boggs’ 12-person global board.

Washington-based Nancoo concentrates on public, private and project debt finance, with particular emphasis on capital markets, infrastructure construction, airport, toll road and surface transportation, mixed-use multifamily housing, and water and sewer utility sectors.

For the full story, posted Jan. 12, click here.

Ken Kurosu

Ken Kurosu also joined Squire Patton Boggs’ 12-person global board.

Kurosu is the managing partner of the firm’s Tokyo office and the Asia practice coordinator. He concentrates his practice on project finance, infrastructure, mergers and acquisitions and related corporate and commercial law matters, with industry focuses on energy, aviation, telecommunications and chemicals.

For the full story, posted Jan. 12, click here.

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Mary Kimura

Mary Kimura was one of 10 lawyers in U.S., and the only public finance attorney, named to partner by global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright.

The firm promoted 25 female lawyers globally, representing 53 percent of the 47 promotions, according to a spokesman. Ten of the 47 promoted are located in the U.S.

For the full story, posted Jan. 8, click here.

Lynnette Kelly

Former Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board CEO Lynnette Kelly has landed multiple new positions, including as a board member of the parent company of the Government Accounting Standards Board.

On Jan. 1, Kelly started a board position on the Financial Accounting Foundation Board of Trustees.

Kelly will also start a position in the coming weeks as a public finance advisory council member at the Milken Institute's Center for Financial Markets.

For the full story, posted Jan. 5, click here.