Ron Baron has signed on a Allianz sales veteran to head distribution for his New York City-based fund firm. The new hire is Brian Jacobs, a 25-year mutual fund industry veteran who was head of sales at Allianz and National Sales Director at Eaton Vance.

Jacobs takes the title of chief distribution officer at Baron Capital, where he reports to Linda Martinson, president and chief operating officer.

He will be responsible for marketing, sales, relationship management and product development for all channels of distribution including retail, intermediary and institutional.

Company Press Release

Baron Capital Group Appoints Brian Jacobs Chief Distribution Officer

Baron Capital Group announced today that Brian Jacobs will join the firm as Chief Distribution Officer on February 2. Mr. Jacobs will have overall responsibility for marketing, sales, relationship management and product development for all channels of distribution including retail, intermediary and institutional. He will report to Linda Martinson, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Firm.

"Brian has a strong track record in building and managing successful asset management distribution businesses and we're delighted to welcome him to Baron Capital Group," said Ron Baron, Chief Executive Officer of the Firm. "Brian's leadership will be a great asset as we work to extend the reach of our products, and strengthen relationships with our existing clients."

Mr. Jacobs commented: "Baron Capital is known for its exceptional portfolio managers and analysts as well as its long-term commitment to growth companies. Joining such a successful and disciplined investment firm is an exciting prospect for me, and I look forward to contributing to Baron's continued success."

Mr. Jacobs has 25 years of experience in the mutual fund industry. Most recently, he spent eight years as a Managing Director and Head of Sales at Allianz, where he oversaw 195 employees. He was responsible for relationship management, internal and external sales, product distribution for PIMCO and Allianz Funds, managed accounts and closed-end funds.

Prior to that, he spent ten years with Eaton Vance, serving as National Sales Director and building the company's intermediary mutual fund distribution in the RIA, Broker-Dealer and Bank channels. He also held the position of Director of Mutual Fund Sales at Lexington Mutual Funds and began his career at First Investors Corporation as a Financial Advisor.

Brian is the 2008 Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Money Management Institute (MMI), and is a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for Financial Planning. Mr. Jacobs earned a BA in Economics from Montclair State University.

About Baron Funds and Baron Capital Group Baron Funds include eight no-load mutual funds: Baron Asset Fund (BARAX), Baron Growth Fund (BGRFX), Baron Small Cap Fund (BSCFX), Baron iOpportunity Fund (BIOPX), Baron Fifth Avenue Growth Fund (BFTHX), Baron Partners Fund (BPTRX), Baron Retirement Income Fund (BRIFX) and Baron International Growth Fund (BIGFX). More information about Baron Funds is available by calling (800) 99-BARON or by visiting www.baronfunds.com. The advisor to Baron Funds is BAMCO, a unit of Baron Capital Group. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risk, and charges and expenses of the investment carefully before investing. Baron Funds are described in prospectuses that contain this and other information about the Funds. You should carefully read the prospectus before investing. You can read, print or download a prospectus at www.BaronFunds.com/prospectus or call 800-99-BARON to receive a prospectus in the mail. Baron Capital, Inc. is the distributor of the Baron Funds.

SOURCE: Baron Capital Group

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