Merriman Curhan Ford Hires Veteran Technology Equity Research Analysts

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Merriman Curhan Ford Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: MERR) today announced the hiring of two senior equity research analysts to further expand its technology sector.

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The new equity research team members are:

• James McIlree, managing director, brings to Merriman more than 20 years of experience as an equity analyst. During this period, he has covered defense electronics, and telecommunications services and equipment companies for buy and sell-side organizations. McIlree was recently with Collins Stewart and its predecessor firm, C. E. Unterberg, Towbin, where he covered the defense electronics/communications sector and was director of research. He has been recognized multiple times for his stock-picking accuracy in The Wall Street Journal's annual "Best on the Street" survey. McIlree holds a B.A. in economics from the University of Chicago and an M.B.A. from the University of Colorado. He is a CFA charterholder.
• Scott Searle, managing director, joins Merriman with more than 17 years of experience covering communications and technology companies. Throughout his equity research career, Searle has specialized in covering small and mid-cap technology companies at S Squared Technology, SG Cowen, Dain Rauscher Wessels and UBS. While at SG Cowen, Searle was named as a fast-rising analyst in investor polls for covering communications equipment, with a specialization in wireless technology. Searle received his B.A. from Bucknell University. He is a CFA charterholder.

McIlree and Searle are both based Merriman's New York office.

"With the addition of James and Scott, we are able to meet the increasing demand by institutional investors for more fast-growing technology and telecommunications names under coverage," said Eric Wold, Merriman's director of equity research. "Their research focus compliments our existing team, which has done a great job staying ahead of the market rebound from the March 2009 lows. I'm optimistic that James and Scott can continue to help us find undiscovered technology companies and differentiate our research in 2010 and beyond."

About Merriman Curhan Ford

Merriman Curhan Ford (Nasdaq: MERR) is a financial services firm focused on fast-growing companies and the institutions that invest in them. The company offers high-quality investment banking, equity research, institutional services and corporate & venture services, and specializes in five growth industry sectors: CleanTech, Consumer, Media & Internet, Health Care, Natural Resources and Technology. For more information, please go to www.mcfco.com.

Note to Investors

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on our current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of offers to buy any securities of the Company. Forward-looking statements in this release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof. Our actual results may differ materially from those stated or implied in such forward-looking statements, due to risks and uncertainties associated with our business, which include the risk factors disclosed in our Form 10-K/A filed on April 30, 2009 and our Form 10-Q filed on November 16, 2009. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and can be identified by forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should," and "would" or similar words. We assume no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Form 10-K/A filed on April 30, 2009 and Form 10-Q filed on November 16, 2009, together with this press release and the financial information contained herein, is available on our website by going to www.mcfco.com and clicking on "Investor Relations".

SOURCE Merriman Curhan Ford Group, Inc.