Raymond James expanded its Energy Investment Banking practice by hiring two senior petroleum engineers, Carla Tharp and Michael Eichhorn.

Tharp and Eichhorn, experienced engineers with nearly 50 combined years of energy and finance expertise, will help expand the technical and advisory capabilities available to Raymond James clients.

“Despite the recent pullback in oil prices, the energy sector has shown significant improvement, and we expect the A&D and M&A markets to heat up and present our clients with opportunities to scale their businesses,” said Mike Ames, managing director and co-head of the Energy Investment Banking practice. “These market conditions demand sophisticated counsel, and Carla and Michael will use their considerable skills and networks to ensure our clients meet their goals.”

Tharp joins Raymond James as a managing director with more than 30 years’ experience in the energy industry. Most recently she was an executive with M&A advisory firm Lantana Energy Advisors, a division of SunTrust Robinson Humphrey.

Eichhorn, a senior vice president, spent 15 years at Marathon Oil and joins Raymond James from Goldman Sachs.