Privately owned financial services firm Sterne Agee announced a new executive management team. Eric Needleman will assume the role of chairman of Sterne Agee Group and CEO of Sterne Agee & Leach.

Linda Daniel, a 33-year employee and board member, has been named vice chairman. Henry Lynn, Jr., one of the longest serving employees, board member and former chairman will continue as chairman emeritus. The holding company board also appointed Sal A. “Joe” Nunziata as chief executive officer and president of Sterne Agee Group.

“As one of the oldest private investment banking companies, we are excited about the new direction that the board has taken the company,” said Eric Needleman. “With investment banking, mortgage, trust and private client groups all under the same umbrella, we feel that Sterne Agee is well positioned to continue to grow and thrive. These new changes are an exciting chapter in the firm’s 113-year history. Both the sales and operations teams at Sterne Agee are some of the most experienced and talented professionals in the financial services industry, and with them Sterne Agee will continue on a path to become one of the largest private investment banking, mortgage and wealth management firms in the country.”