LOS ANGELES, Nov. 16, 1998 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Seidler Companies Incorporated, a Los Angeles-based institutional research and investment banking firm, today announced the appointments of three senior investment professionals.
Elizabeth O. Pierce, CFA, joins the firm as a senior vice president and senior equity analyst; William J. Porter has been appointed senior vice president and director of equity trading; and J. Barry Bocklet, Jr. has been named senior vice president and director of institutional trading.
"We are delighted to have these three highly skilled investment professionals join our firm," said Roland Seidler, chairman. "The consumer and retailing sector expertise that Elizabeth brings to our organization is representative of the broadening capabilities of our institutional research group. Similarly, with his background at both large and regional investment banking firms, Will offers our firm a unique understanding of equity sales and trading. Barry's background as a seasoned institutional trader will provide us with added strength and leadership in that area. The appointments will greatly enhance the strong team we have in place as our firm continues to grow."
In her new capacity, Ms. Pierce will continue to research and publish on investment opportunities in the consumer industry, focusing on the retail and apparel fields. She anticipates maintaining coverage on the large and small cap companies in the specialty retailing and apparel sectors.
Prior to joining The Seidler Companies, Ms. Pierce was a research analyst for Cruttenden Roth, Incorporated, Stephens & Co., and Salomon Brothers, Inc.
Ms. Pierce earned an MBA degree from Northwestern University. Previously, she received a bachelor of arts degree from Sophie Newcomb-Tulane University, where she majored in economics and French.
Porter has more than 16 years of experience as a trader and market maker. In his new position, he is responsible for and will provide leadership for the trading functions of the firm.
Before joining The Seidler Companies, Porter was a senior trader at Cruttenden Roth Incorporated. He also has been a trader at L.H. Friend, Weinress, Frankson & Presson, Inc., Kidder Peabody, and Wedbush, Noble & Cooke. Porter graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara with a bachelor's degree in economics. He has been active on committees for both the National Association of Securities Dealers and the Securities Trader Association.
Bocklet will head the firm's institutional trading operations. He joins The Seidler Companies from Cruttenden Roth, where he was director of sales and trading. In his career, he has held positions as an institutional and block trader for Dean Witter, Furman Selz, Kidder Peabody, and worked extensively on the floors of the New York Stock Exchange and the New York Futures Exchange. Bocklet graduated from Boston College in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in finance.
Founded in 1969, The Seidler Companies provides equity research for institutional investment management organizations throughout the country, and corporate and municipal investment banking services for regionally based government and corporate entities. -0-