COSTA MESA, Calif., Sept. 20, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Hector J. Cuellar, a senior executive with more than 25 years experience in corporate and investment banking, has been named president of RSM EquiCo, a financial services firm that is a wholly owned subsidiary of H&R Block (NYSE:HRB). Cuellar assumes his new position only two years after being appointed president of RSM EquiCo Capital Markets LLC, the investment-banking arm of RSM EquiCo.
In that brief span, Mr. Cuellar took RSM EquiCo Capital Markets from an up-and-coming investment bank to a major force in the middle-market M&A arena. Under his guidance, RSM EquiCo Capital Markets has become the third largest M&A advisor for transactions up to $100 million, according Factset Mergerstat LLC. In addition, Mr. Cuellar strengthened RSM EquiCo Capital Markets' buy-side capabilities, expanded its range of services to include capital raising and fairness opinions, organized the practice into 10 vertical industry specialty groups and added several senior professionals to RSM EquiCo Capital Markets dealmaking team.
"I am pleased and gratified at the progress RSM EquiCo Capital Markets has made in its journey to becoming a premier global investment bank. This progress is the result of a team effort involving professionals in every area of our company," said Cuellar.
Cuellar established his reputation for facilitating growth and establishing new revenue streams at Banc of America Securities, the full-service investment bank and brokerage subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. He joined that firm in 1996 as managing director and manager of the Los Angeles office. He significantly increased the firm's corporate finance activities throughout the Western U.S. and was soon promoted to lead the firm's aerospace/defense and engineering/construction practices. In that role he advised some of those industries' most prominent corporations, including Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, CBI, General Dynamics, Kiewit, Goodrich, Boeing, Bechtel and Fluor.
In his new role as president of RSM EquiCo, Cuellar has been given the task of integrating the firm's wide range of M&A services in new an innovative ways to help deliver maximum value to owners of midsized-businesses.
Cuellar was recognized by Hispanic Business magazine in 2004 as one of the nation's 100 Most Influential Hispanics.
About RSM EquiCo
RSM EquiCo, Inc. (www.rsmequico.com) is a financial services firm and wholly owned subsidiary of H&R Block. RSM EquiCo Capital Markets, the firm's investment banking unit, is a global provider of investment banking services to private and public companies with annual revenues of up to $1 billion. The firm brings together companies, capital and creativity on a national and international scale to help clients achieve their personal and strategic objectives. RSM EquiCo Capital Markets LLC is licensed by the SEC and all state securities authorities, and is a member of the NASD and SIPC.
RSM EquiCo is affiliated with RSM McGladrey Inc., one of the nation's largest providers of business and tax consulting, wealth management, retirement resources and payroll services to midsized companies. The firm's international headquarters are located in Costa Mesa, California. It also has offices in Chicago, Boston, New York, Coral Springs, Fla. and London.