(BLACK PR WIRE)--NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CastleOak Securities, a leading New York-based boutique investment bank, today announced the formation of an Advisory Board comprised of three senior business executives who will provide insight, guidance and perspective to CastleOak’s management team as it further builds upon its long-term strategy and continues to execute its plans for growth.

The members of the CastleOak Advisory Board are:

Robert J. Brown, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of B&C Associates, Inc.

Robert J. Brown is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of B&C Associates, Inc., a management consulting, marketing research and public relations firm. He is also President of International BookSmart Foundation. Prior to beginning his career in the private sector, Mr. Brown had a distinguished public service career, having served as a federal agent with the U.S. Department of the Treasury and as Special Assistant to President Richard Nixon. Mr. Brown holds ten honorary doctorate degrees, six national achievement awards and several leadership honors. Mr. Brown currently serves on the boards of AutoNation, Inc. and Blue Ridge Holdings, Inc. and has served on the boards of Duke Energy, Wachovia Corporation and Sonoco Products Company.

Dr. William R. Harvey, President of Hampton University and 100% Owner of the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Houghton, Michigan

As President of Hampton University since 1978, Dr. William R. Harvey has introduced innovations which have solidified Hampton’s stellar position among the nation’s colleges and universities. His innovative leadership is reflected in the growth and quality of the University’s student population, academic programs, and financial base. His leadership skills are exemplified by the appointment of fourteen former Hampton University administrators to CEO positions at other institutions during his tenure. As a fundraiser, he is considered one of the best in the country. When Dr. Harvey became President, Hampton’s endowment was at $29 million. Today, that endowment stands in excess of $250 million.

James Tammaro, Co-Founder of Tandem

Prior to co-founding Tandem, a global asset management firm, Mr. Tammaro was most recently Managing Director/Global Head of Relationship Management, Financial Institutions Group & Hedge Funds at HSBC Securities, (USA) Inc. Previously, he was a Partner and Senior Managing Director with Blaylock & Partners LP. Mr. Tammaro spent most of his professional career with Merrill Lynch from 1982 through 2003. At the time of his departure from Merrill Lynch, he was a senior managing director in charge of marketing and sales in the Alternative Investment Group.

CastleOak Chief Executive Officer David R. Jones, who chairs the Board, indicated that its creation marks another step forward in the strategic expansion of CastleOak’s investment banking business.

Mr. Jones stated, “We are pleased that Dr. Harvey, Robert Brown and James Tammaro will be sharing their wealth of business, financial, management, and international experience with the leadership of our business, and we intend to leverage their skills and knowledge to continually strengthen our business and sharpen our focus in serving our client base.”

About CastleOak Securities

CastleOak is a New York based boutique investment bank with regional offices in Chicago, Atlanta, and Portland. It is managed by a team of seasoned bankers with an average of over 20 years of experience. CastleOak provides sales and trading, capital markets, and financial advisory services. The company offers expertise in primary and secondary market transactions, and is structured to effectively advise its clients on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, valuations and general strategic assessments.

CastleOak is in a strategic partnership with Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P., a leading global financial services provider to the institutional equity and fixed income capital markets.