First Empire Adds Veteran Sales Professionals; Expands in Southeast

HAUPPAUGE, NY--(Marketwired - May 17, 2016) - First Empire Securities, an employee-owned fixed income broker-dealer working with institutions nationwide, is pleased to announce that veteran sales professionals S.J. Guzzo, James "Crosby" Taylor and Ken King have joined the firm. Their arrival also marks the opening of the firm's Memphis, Tenn. and Birmingham, Ala. offices.

"We are excited about the arrival of S.J., Crosby and Ken to the firm as their experience working with middle market institutions will enhance First Empire's ability to share our investment and other value-added services with this important group of institutional investors," said Stephanie Rella, COO at First Empire Securities.

Working in the firm's Memphis office, S.J. Guzzo will be a key driver in expanding the firm's footprint among middle market institutional fixed-income investors in the Southeast. He most recently served as the Co-Head of Fixed Income at Wunderlich Securities and previously served as National Sales Manager at Stifel Financial.

Crosby Taylor and Ken King, who will be based in the firm's Birmingham office, have successful track records working with middle market institutional investors. Crosby previously served as National Sales Manager at the investment firms Sterne Agee and BNY Mellon, and Ken formerly served as Managing Director at Stifel and Sterne Agee.

The openings of the Memphis and Birmingham offices are part of the firm's national growth strategy, which over the last year included openings in Chicago, San Francisco and New Jersey. The firm also has expanded its capabilities in the municipal bond market with several key additions and its entrance into the new issue municipal bond market.

"Expanding our services and getting closer to the institutions we serve is a key component of our growth strategy," said Joseph Oricoli, Managing Director at First Empire Securities. "Going forward, we will continue to seek out business opportunities that will enhance our connection with clients and build our institutional platform."

About First Empire

First Empire Securities, a national fixed income broker-dealer, and its affiliate companies LPC Services, Balance Sheet Management Services and First Empire CD Management have been committed to helping institutions make well-informed investment decisions and better manage their balance sheets for the past 30 years. These companies provide a range of services for institutional investors, including fixed income investing, loan participations, risk management, regulatory consulting and funding strategies.