William Blair Announces Ryan J. DeVore as Director of Private Client Advisors

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--William Blair & Company today announced that Ryan DeVore will join the firm as director of Private Client Advisors (PCA), a new position. He will report directly to Dick Kiphart, head of PCA and a member of the firm’s executive committee.

“As private clients continue to recognize the value of a long-term advisor relationship, we will continue to grow this business to meet their evolving needs.”

DeVore, a 16-year veteran of the retail wealth management industry, has extensive business development and expansion experience. He spent the last nine years at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (MSSB) and was most recently Northern Colorado complex manager, where he was responsible for four branch offices with 105 financial advisors, with more than $8.2 billion in assets. Mr. DeVore’s long track record of improving branch office performance includes making the Northern Colorado complex one of MSSB’s top performers. He received his bachelor of business administration from Eastern Michigan University.

“We look forward to having Ryan as a leader on our PCA team. His management and business development background will greatly enhance our already-strong private client business in Chicago,” said Kiphart. “Our financial advisors average more than 20 years of industry experience, manage portfolios for clients across the country, and have long-standing and deep client relationships.”

William Blair is increasingly known for its prominence in the asset management business, with a global footprint of more than $52 billion as of June 30, 2012. The firm also has been a well-respected provider of wealth management services, recognized as one of the top 40 wealth management firms by Barron’s¹ since 2000, the inception of the ranking. With nearly $16 billion in private wealth assets as of June 30, 2012, the firm’s advisors build customized portfolios that are designed according to each client’s objectives, risk tolerance, and time frame. Clients also may have the opportunity to invest directly in IPOs, follow-on offerings, and bonds underwritten by the firm’s investment banking unit.

“William Blair’s heritage was built around a commitment to serving client needs first,” said John R. Ettelson, president and chief executive officer. “As private clients continue to recognize the value of a long-term advisor relationship, we will continue to grow this business to meet their evolving needs.”

About William Blair & Company

William Blair & Company is a global investment banking and asset management firm. We are committed to building enduring relationships with our clients and providing expertise and solutions to meet their evolving needs. An independent and employee-owned firm, William Blair is based in Chicago, with office locations in 10 cities including London, New York, Shanghai, and Zurich. For more information, please visit williamblair.com.

Disclosure:

1. Barron’s, “2011 The Top Wealth Management Firms,” 09/19/11. Ranked by assets under management in accounts of $5 million or more as of June 30, 2011.

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