Stephens adds to institutional equities and research practice

Little Rock-based financial services firm Stephens Inc. has hired Frank Chiou as managing director for New York Institutional Equity Sales and Mark Connelly as managing director and senior equity research analyst. Both will be based in the company’s office in New York.

“We continue to grow our Institutional Equities practice with our clients’ best interests in mind,” Nik Fisken, executive vice president and head of Institutional Equities at Stephens, said in a news release. “Accordingly, the additions of Frank and Mark exemplify our commitment to high-quality, differentiated service. Each brings to Stephens extensive industry knowledge, relationships, and experience critical to our investor client base as well as to our business objectives.”

Chiou has more than 20 years of institutional equity sales experience and joins Stephens from William Blair, where he was a partner. He previously held sales positions at Thomas Weisel, Adams Harkness and Goldman Sachs. He is a graduate of Duke University.

As a senior analyst, Connelly will cover paper, packaging and chemicals for Stephens. His experience in these sectors as well as global agribusiness spans 30 years. Before joining Stephens, Connelly was a senior analyst with CLSA Americas and has held similar positions with Credit Suisse Group and J.P. Morgan & Co. Connelly received earned a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from New York University.

“We’re very excited by the momentum in our business and the opportunities ahead of us,” Fisken added in the release. “Our group now comprises more than 150 personnel across the country and in the past year, our New York office has grown by over 50%. We’re pleased to welcome Frank and Mark to the team and look forward to their contributions to our efforts.”