Henry Orvin just hired an executive to work with independent advisors.

Clara Sierra Pioneer Investments Senior Vice President and Business Development Manager, Independent Advisor Channel

Orvin, senior vice president and head of business development for Pioneer Investments' [profile] U.S. intermediary distribution team, confirms that Clara Sierra is joining his team as senior vice president and business development manager for the independent advisor channel. Sierra reports to Orvin and started last month.

In an emailed statement, Pioneer spokesman Geoff Smith confirms that the person who previously filled Sierra's new role left Pioneer but declined to comment further. Liz Bucalo, whom Smith describes as a "long-time member" of the sales team, reports to Sierra.

New York City-based Sierra spent seven years at Sentinel Investments [profile] before departing in 2014. She served as executive vice president of national accounts at Vermont-based Sentinel.

"We still have two national account managers but no formal EVP of national accounts ... "Nobody has taken over that role specifically," John Haase, head of marketing at Sentinel, tells MFWire. "We've kind of folded it into the head of institutional [Jerrod DeShaw] here."

An alumnus of Fairleigh Dickinson University, Sierra previously worked in national accounts at what is now AllianceBernstein. And she also worked on the other side of the table, serving as SVP of the investment advisory division at the indie broker-dealer network AIG Advisor Group.

Orvin lauds Sierra for her "wealth of experience" and "strong knowledge of [Pioneer's] clients and needs.

"She will play an important role in our business development efforts and is a welcome addition to the team," Orvin states.

"She has excellent experience and extensive knowledge and contacts in the independent advisor channel," Smith tells MFWire.

Orvin leads an 11-person business development team that Smith confirms is now "fully staffed.". In addition to Sierra, his direct reports are: Anthony Costa, SVP, senior business development manager, RIA channel; Bobbie Jo Pippin, SVP and senior business development manager, wealth managers; and Jason Xanthakis, SVP and senior portfolio consultant.

As of November 30, Pioneer had $243.1 billion in AUM worldwide, including about $68.8 billion in the U.S. business. 

Stay ahead of the news ... Sign up for our email alerts now
CLICK HERE