Piper Jaffray Companies has named James Baker as global co-head of investment banking and capital markets, effective January 1, 2019.        

Baker will co-lead the group alongside Scott LaRue who has served as global co-head of investment banking and capital markets since 2010. Baker will also become a member of the firm’s leadership team and report to CEO Chad Abraham. He will remain based in the firm’s Houston office.

Baker has been with Piper Jaffray since February 2016 through the firm’s acquisition of Simmons Energy | A Division of Piper Jaffray? (Simmons), where he has served as co-head of energy investment banking for the past three years. Baker joined Simmons in 2001 to help grow the firm’s midstream/downstream platform. He was later promoted to lead the midstream/downstream group and manage the upstream group, as well as serve on the Simmons’ board and management committee. During his tenure and in partnership with Fred Charlton, Simmons has generated record banking revenues and upheld its position as a premier investment bank in the energy sector.

“It is critical that we have the strongest leaders in place and James is the ideal partner to help lead and continue to grow our largest business. He brings a breadth of experience and an impressive track record that will help move our investment banking and capital markets business forward,” said Chad Abraham, CEO of Piper Jaffray.

Charlton will continue to lead the energy practice as chairman and head of energy investment banking.

“I am thrilled to be partnering with James. He is a terrific banker, strategic thinker, team builder and inspirational leader. I look forward to working with him to lead the next phase of growth for Piper Jaffray’s investment banking business,” added Scott LaRue, global head of investment banking and capital markets. “Additionally, the energy practice is a key part of our growth strategy and having such a talented, experienced leader like Fred who can continue to guide the team gives us every confidence in the long-term success of our energy business.”

Before joining Simmons, Baker held several positions within Koch Industries including director of Koch energy, leading corporate finance and corporate development initiatives for Koch’s energy businesses and chief financial officer of Koch Gateway Pipeline Company (now GulfSouth). Prior to that, he was a director for Alton Geoscience, where he consulted with refining and marketing companies on the West Coast.

Baker is a member of the advisory board of the Posse Foundation, Houston chapter. He holds a chemistry degree from Colorado College and earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin.