Baird history

In 1934, the firm became an independent entity called The Securities Company of Milwaukee, Inc.

Robert Haack had joined our firm as a stockbroker in 1940 after graduating from Harvard Business School.

In 1943, The Wisconsin Company began publishing its annual "Financial Briefs," which would gain recognition and respect for its quality research.

When the firm joined the New York Stock Exchange in 1948, it took the name of its lead partner since inception, Robert W. Baird.

Bickel served as chair of the NASD in 1952 and governor of the NYSE for two terms.

Wilson chaired the 1954 campaign for the United Way of Greater Milwaukee, raising $3.9 million.

William Brand served as president until 1957, when Clarence Bickel stepped in as the company's third president.

1963: Company growth drives a move to new offices.

In 1967, he helped launch Baird Foundation to formalize our associates’ charitable efforts.

One unnamed broker told the Milwaukee Sentinel in 1968, “He used to come out of his office and say, ‘You, you and you.

In 1972, he helped raise $18 million in conjunction with A.O. Smith to relocate the Medical College of Wisconsin to the Milwaukee County grounds.

Upon his retirement in 1978, Wilson led multiple fundraising campaigns to benefit the community.

1979: G. Frederick Kasten is named president.

In 1982, Baird joined the Northwestern Mutual family of companies.

In 1985 employees relinquished another 15 percent of their holdings to Northwestern Mutual "to help the insurance company manage its tax burden," according to the Business Journal--Milwaukee.

Institutional accounts also saw an increase as did managed accounts, a business segment established in 1989.

"It was hard not to have a good year in 1991," wrote Peter Kendall for the Business Journal--Milwaukee. "Interest rates plunged, stocks leaped to a record even before the Persian Gulf War was won, bonds went along for the ride and corporations came to the market to fill up on low cost capital."

During 1992, Baird began picking up coverage of smaller local issues, hoping to "enhance its image as the leader in the region," according to Kendall.

Baird marked its 75th year in 1994, a time when the stock market was experiencing huge mood swings--rising then falling then rising again.

Then in 1995, Baird entered the Chicago investment banking arena, on the lookout for merger and acquisition, consulting, and underwriting opportunities.

Baird moved into new markets in 1997, bringing investment banking to Florida and Texas and announcing plans to open a brokerage and sell research on American companies though a London-based office.

Rupple himself received the award in 1998 in recognition of his myriad of contributions.

1999: Granville PLC is acquired.

In 2000, Baird Advisors was formed, specializing in fixed money management, and bringing more new blood into the company.

2001: Employees increase ownership to nearly 45 percent.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, beginning in 2002, Northwestern Mutual was to make an internal subsidiary its exclusive broker/dealer for selling mutual funds and other securities: 4,500 of its agents had been licensed to sell investment products through Baird.

Operating Revenues: $544 million (2003 est.)

One of the FORTUNE© 100 Best Companies to Work For® since 2004.

In 2013, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter honored us with the Wisconsin Organizational Philanthropy Award.

Despite mainly operating out of Chicago, Purcell also took the time in 2014 to co-chair Milwaukee’s United Way community campaign.

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