Carlos Desmaras and Dominick Setari Strengthen Mesirow Financial's Public Finance Capabilities in New York City

CHICAGO, January 11, 2012 — Mesirow Financial today announced that Carlos Desmaras and Dominick Setari will join the firm as managing directors of its Public Finance group. Based in New York, both will lead public finance efforts in the state and will focus on maintaining client relationships and expanding accounts in the northeast, Florida and Puerto Rico.

Most recently, Desmaras was a managing director of northeast public finance at Duncan-Williams, Inc. In that role, he re-launched and headed the firm's northeast public finance effort with Dominick Setari. During his tenure, he increased the firm's total volume of New York transactions to $14 billion from $5 billion the year prior, with co-manager business climbing to $2.4 billion from $600 million the year prior. Previously, he was a managing director at MFR Securities, Inc. Desmaras earned an M.B.A. from Columbia University's Columbia Business School and a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania. He holds FINRA Series 7, 53 and 68 licenses.

Prior to joining the firm, Setari was a director of northeast public finance at Duncan-Williams, Inc. While there, he successfully penetrated new syndicates and roles working with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York State Bridge Authority, New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Philadelphia School District and the State of Illinois (senior manager). Prior to that, he was a vice president at MFR Securities, Inc. Setari earned an M.B.A. from Columbia University's Columbia Business School and a B.S. from Fordham University. He holds FINRA Series 7, 63 and 79 licenses.

"Carlos and Dominick bring extensive public finance experience to the table and are a tremendous addition to our team," said Steve Hoopes, senior managing director of Mesirow Financial's Public Finance department. "With their knowledge, experience and relationships we will continue to build on our solid reputation for developing innovative financing structures for our clients."

Mesirow Financial is a diversified financial services firm headquartered in Chicago. Founded in 1937, it is an independent, employee-owned firm with approximately 1,200 employees globally. With expertise in Investment Management, Global Markets, Insurance Services and Consulting, Mesirow Financial strives to meet the financial needs of institutions, public sector entities, corporations and individuals. For more information about Mesirow Financial, visit its website at mesirowfinancial.com.