Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated issued the following announcement on Nov. 7.

Baird, an employee-owned, international financial services firm, today announced a significant expansion of its Energy Investment Banking practice, with the addition of a senior investment banking team, focused on Oilfield Services, based in Houston, Texas. Gregg Byers, Managing Director, and Chamila Ariyachandra, Director, have joined Baird’s Global Investment Banking group and will partner with veteran Baird Energy banker Kjell Lundal, Managing Director, to expand Baird’s Oilfield Services industry coverage. Byers and Lundal will jointly lead the firm’s Oilfield Services banking effort.

Byers joins Baird from PricewaterhouseCoopers’ (PwC) investment banking practice, where he was Managing Director, Co-Head of the Houston Office and Head of Oilfield Services M&A. Prior to joining PwC, Byers was Head of North America Oilfield Services Investment Banking at JP Morgan. Byers holds an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a B.A. from St. Lawrence University.

Ariyachandra also joins Baird from PwC where he was a Director in the firm’s investment banking practice. Prior to joining PwC, Ariyachandra was a Vice President at JP Morgan, where he also focused on Oilfield Services. Ariyachandra holds an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and a B.S. from Louisiana State University.

Commenting on the expansion of Baird’s Energy Investment Banking practice, Curtis Goot, Co-Head of Energy Investment Banking at Baird, said: “We are thrilled to have Gregg and Chamila join Baird’s Energy group and partner with Kjell to significantly expand our Oilfield Services effort. Their combined industry expertise and transaction experience is tremendous, and something we know will benefit our clients and enhance our ability to meet their needs.”

Frank Murphy, Co-Head of Baird’s Energy Group added: “Since starting an energy sector investment banking effort eight years ago, Baird has made significant progress, with over 220 advisory and capital markets transactions completed to-date for our midstream, upstream and oilfield services clients. We very much look forward to working with our new partners to further build a pre-eminent energy practice.”

Brian Doyal, Co-Head of Global Investment Banking at Baird, added: “We are very pleased to welcome Gregg and Chamila to the platform, and we’re excited about the prospects for expanding our Oilfield Services practice. Given Baird’s industry-leading position in middle market M&A, and the synergies with our highly successful Industrial, Technology & Services, and Financial Sponsors franchises, the expansion of our Oilfield Services effort makes tremendous sense for us and our clients. Gregg and Chamila’s deep industry expertise and commitment to client service will be highly valuable as we continue to build our practice.”

Commenting on his move, Byers added: “Baird is a premier middle market investment bank, with the platform and the resources to allow us to provide the best outcomes for our Oilfield Services clients. I’m excited to join this hard-working, results-driven team, and look forward to helping grow an industry-leading Energy investment banking franchise.”

Original source: http://www.rwbaird.com/news/GIB-Energy-Expansion-in-Houston