Bob Mulholland is the new executive in charge of Merrill Lynch's advisors. The announcement came on the heels of a large number of senior management changes at the nation's largest brokerage firm.

Mulholland, a 22-year veteran at Merrill, will be responsible for the Advisory Division, the Institutional Advisory Division and Wealth Management Services operating units. He keeps the title of senior vice president and reports to James P. Gorman, president of Merrill's U.S. Private Client Group.

He had most recently been executive director of the Advisory Division.

"Bob has a down-to-earth management style, a unique ability to connect with our people in the field and throughout USPC, a common-sense approach to problem solving and a keen understanding of our strategy," said Gorman. "He is a tough competitor who is truly devoted to Merrill Lynch and our people, and I am excited about working with him in his new role."

The firm also announced a bushel full of executive changes in the unit:

Executive director Dan Sontag, who since March directed eight of the group's 16 business districts, now assumes responsibility for all 16.

First vice president Mary Allyn, previously a director in the Advisory Division, becomes head of USPC human resources, and also joins the USPC executive committee. She succeeds Terry Kassel, who was recently named head of global human resources for Merrill Lynch & Co.

Ron Strauss has taken over as head of the Marketing and Investments Group, succeeding Rosemary Berkery, who was named general counsel of Merrill Lynch & Co. Strauss, a senior vice president, also joins the USPC executive committee. Most recently, he served as president of Merrill Lynch Japan Securities (MLJS), the firm's private client business in Japan, which he led from its 1998 inception.

First vice president Paula Polito will head an expanded Marketing Department, reporting to Strauss. Polito also will join the USPC executive committee.

Andy Sieg, a first vice president, continues to lead Merrill Lynch Direct, including the Financial Advisory Center (FAC) and the ML Direct website. He also will join the USPC executive committee, reporting directly to Gorman.  

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