Oppenheimer & Co. announced John Tonelli has joined the firm as Managing Director and Head of Debt Capital Markets and Syndication. Tonelli brings to Oppenheimer over 20 years of fixed income experience, especially in structured credit and secured financings, first as an attorney at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft and later as banker at Bear Stearns and J.P. Morgan. He will be based out of Oppenheimer's New York headquarters and report to Robert S. Lowenthal, Senior Managing Director – Global Head of Fixed income.

"John's experience and expertise will greatly enhance the services we provide our clients. Middle market Issuers of structured credit are underserved by Global Banks and Oppenheimer is well positioned to offer our clients independent advice and access to all segments of the fixed income market," said Lowenthal.

After earning his B.A. from Columbia University and his J.D. and M.B.A. from Fordham, Tonelli began his career as an attorney in the Corporate Group of international law firm Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft. Rising to head its Latin American Practice Group, he represented a number of the region's public and private issuers in some of its largest transactions. He then served as a Senior Managing Director & Head of International Structured Finance, first at Bear Stearns and then at J.P. Morgan where he led a number of innovative, high-profile fixed income transactions in Latin America, Europe and the Middle East.  

Subsequently, Tonelli joined holding company Corporacion America, S.A. as CFO. With more than $2 billion in annual revenues, 8,000 employees and significant holdings in the transportation, energy, real estate, agriculture and technology sectors, Corporacion America engaged in a number of high-profile capital market transactions, acquisitions and divestitures.

"Oppenheimer has assembled a best-in-class group of Emerging Market and High Yield professionals, many of whom I have worked with in the past.  Given its broad fixed income platform and extensive distribution capabilities, the Firm is uniquely positioned to grow its fixed income origination business and I am excited to be a part of the team," said Tonelli.

Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., and its affiliates provide a full range of wealth management, securities brokerage and investment banking services to high-net-worth individuals, families, corporate executives, local governments, businesses and institutions.