Piper Sandler named Dustin Avey and Jeremy Gerber co-heads of public finance. Avey and Gerber will report to Deb Schoneman, president of Piper Sandler. Frank Fairman, the firm’s current head of public finance, will remain with the firm in an advisory capacity into 2024.
“I would like to sincerely thank Frank for building our market-leading public finance franchise over the past three decades. Dustin and Jeremy bring incredible experience and energy to the business with a focus on continued growth of our diversified platform,” Schoneman said. “I am confident in their ability to leverage strong collaboration across our governmental and specialty sectors to deliver deep expertise to our clients across the country.”
Avey, who has been with Piper Sandler since 2007, is currently a managing director and head of Midwest public finance. He has 21 years of experience providing financial advisory and underwriting services to governmental entities. He will continue to assist cities, counties, school districts and hospitals with developing financial plans related to funding capital projects. Prior to joining Piper Sandler, Avey worked in the public finance group of a regional investment bank.
“We are excited and honored to take on these new leadership roles as co-heads of public finance and are energized by the positivity, commitment and effort around the business and the focus on serving clients. We embrace a culture that supports bankers, provides business flexibility and opportunity for growth and development,” Avey said.
Gerber has been with Piper Sandler since 2011 and currently serves as a managing director and head of senior living. He has served senior living clients across the U.S. and has experience guiding clients through the capital markets process. Before joining Piper Sandler, he was an associate at Jefferies and a vice president at a regional commercial bank.
“Our focus continues to be supporting the communities where we live and work by cultivating tailored solutions that serve the unique needs of our clients,” Gerber said. “We care about the success of our employees and foster the entrepreneurial culture that has led to a marketing-leading public finance platform. I have worked side by side with Frank over the past three years and am personally grateful for his mentorship as we have partnered to transfer his extensive knowledge to ensure continuity in this transition.”
Fairman, a 2023 inductee to the Bond Buyer Hall of Fame, joined Piper Sandler in 1983 and has served as head of public finance since 1991. He has served as a member of the firm’s leadership team since 2005. During his 40 years with the firm, Fairman has played a role in pioneering cash-flow borrowing programs for school districts along with other financing programs. He was integral in building out the national footprint of the firm’s public finance team, growing it to 160 bankers in 43 locations across the U.S.
