Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. announced that Leonard Rush, the firm’s chief financial officer, will retire March 31 after a career of more than 11 years at the company and will be succeeded by Dominick “Nick” Zarcone, a managing director in Baird’s Investment Banking group since 1995.
Zarcone will work closely with Rush through the first quarter of the year in order to ensure a smooth transition.
Rush oversaw the evolution of the Baird’s Finance function from a few accountants and support staff in the United States to a department that today includes more than 50 finance professionals around the world working in strategic partnership with each of Baird’s business units. He also played a significant role in Baird’s 2004 buyback from Northwestern Mutual. Prior to joining Baird, Rush spent nine years at Fidelity Investments where, in addition to other roles, he served as CFO of its four broker dealers.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Len as he led our Finance Department through a very dynamic period in Baird’s history,” said Baird chairman, president and chief executive officer Paul Purcell. “That period included considerable expansion of our global reach and capabilities and our once again becoming an independent, associate-owned firm. We also increased associate equity in the business by more than four times.”
Julie M. Fay-Krivitz has been named assistant vice president of commercial real estate at WaterStone Bank. Prior to joining WaterStone Bank, she held the position of lending/loan officer for JPMorgan Chase Bank in Pewaukee.
She is a licensed real estate broker and certified residential appraiser for the State of Wisconsin. In addition to her experience in the banking and real estate industries, Fay-Krivitz currently teaches courses in mortgage banking and property management at Waukesha County Technical College.
Joseph Mirasola has been hired a vice president, treasury management product development for Associate Banc-Corp.’s Milwaukee offices.
He is responsible for leading many of the bank’s product enhancement initiatives including new product implementation and rollout. He brings 17 years of banking and finance experience to the position.
RitzHolman CPAs, a Milwaukee-based accounting firm, has hired three new full-time employees.
Maris Edgar, CPA, and ShaBeache Hale have been named staff accountant. As members of the firm’s tax, nonprofit and outsourcing teams, they will focus on nonprofit audit as well as providing tax and consulting services to individuals and businesses.
Theresa Unger, CPA, J.D., LL.M., has been hired as a tax accountant. Unger will focus on providing tax and consulting services to individuals and businesses.
