David Kowach was named president and head of Wells Fargo Advisors (WFA), Wells Fargo’s national retail brokerage, effective immediately. Kowach will report to David Carroll, senior executive vice president and head of Wells Fargo Wealth and Investment Management (WIM). Kowach succeeds Mary Mack, who was named head of Community Banking for Wells Fargo effective July 31.

Kowach has worked in the financial services industry for 25 years and has been with Wells Fargo and its predecessors for almost his entire career. Since 2012 he has served as head of WFA’s Private Client group, WFA’s largest business channel with nearly 11,000 financial advisors who serve clients in all 50 states. Kowach will continue to be based in St. Louis and will lead the WFA operating committee. The company will address the matter of Kowach’s successor shortly.

“Ever since he began his career as a financial advisor, David Kowach has been focused on what is best for clients,” Carroll said. “David is well known and highly respected for his industry knowledge, deep relationships and proven results. He has a demonstrated track record of creativity and a vision for the evolution of the advisory business that is so important to our future competitiveness.”

Prior to leading the Private Client group, Kowach led WFA’s Business Development group where he was responsible for financial advisor recruitment and retention, growth strategies and national sales. He began his career as a financial advisor in the Philadelphia area.