Raymond James is expanding its Investment Banking capabilities by hiring two senior bankers to join its Capital Structure Advisory team. Alex Rohan and Kevin Haggard both join from Stifel-Miller Buckfire as managing directors and are based in New York City. Rohan will also serve as co-head of the group with Geoffrey Richards.
The Capital Structure Advisory team is responsible for two Investment Banking products: advising publicly traded, sponsor-backed and privately owned companies and their stakeholders in distressed situations and arranging private debt and structured equity financing on behalf of companies seeking to fund acquisitions, dividend recapitalizations, refinancings and growth initiatives. In partnership with the firm’s industry-focused bankers, the Capital Structure Advisory group utilizes its extensive expertise and relationships in recapitalization and restructuring situations as well as more conventional private debt and structured equity capital markets mandates.
“The restructuring market is expanding in a meaningful manner, driven by the rise of private credit and greater risk tolerance by investors amid a persistently high interest-rate environment,” said Richards. “Especially in these uncertain economic times, our clients need reputable guidance. Alex and Kevin bring deep, specialized experience that strengthens our capabilities to help clients navigate change and stay ahead of market shifts.
“To continue to grow our group of 25 professionals and anticipate our clients’ needs, I decided to seek out a co-head who could help me achieve this next phase of expansion for the Capital Structure Advisory team,” Richards said. “Alex and I have known each other for several years, at times pursuing the same mandates as well as representing opposing parties in complex transactions. His background and commitment to doing what’s best for clients is well-suited for our team, our culture and our clients.”
Rohan has 30 years of investment banking, legal and financial advisory experience, largely involving complex restructuring and capital markets transactions as a senior banker at Stifel-Miller Buckfire, Guggenheim and Jefferies. He also gained relevant experience at GE Asset Management and was a bankruptcy attorney at Paul Weiss after beginning his career as an auditor and accountant. With previous experience in balance sheet restructurings, capital raising, exchanges, amendments, direct investments and more, Rohan holds a law degree from New York University, an accounting degree from Pace University and is a CFA charterholder and CPA (inactive).
“This is a pivotal time in the capital markets and the restructuring space,” said Rohan. “With private credit reshaping the financial landscape, clients are facing increasingly complex decisions, and the need for clear, strategic guidance has never been greater. I look forward to working alongside Geoff and the team to help our clients successfully prepare for and respond to these challenges and opportunities.”
Haggard also joins from Stifel-Miller Buckfire. He has over 25 years of experience of advising companies, sponsors and other stakeholders on complex financings and balance sheet recapitalizations. Haggard joined Miller Buckfire in 2005, before it was acquired by Stifel and began his career in the 1990s as a turnaround advisor at Arthur Andersen and Huron Consulting Group. He holds an MBA from The Wharton School where he founded the Wharton Restructuring and Distressed Investing Conference. He also holds an undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Notre Dame and is a CPA (inactive).
In the last year, the Capital Structure Advisory team advised on more than 50 closed transactions. Over the last five years, the team has grown from nine bankers to more than 25 professionals.