U.S. Capital Advisors LLC Launches Institutional Client Group With Six Hires

HOUSTON, Jan. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Capital Advisors LLC ("USCA") announced today that it is launching an institutional equity research, sales and trading business focused on the large and growing U.S. energy and energy infrastructure sectors.

The firm has hired several key people to launch the build out of its institutional business, which initially will focus on energy infrastructure.

USCA has hired an energy infrastructure specialist sales team consisting of David King, Barry Guinn, Rae Lees, Leslie Rich and Rachel Zick.  The team covers the majority of large institutional investors dedicated to investing in midstream-related equities, including master limited partnerships (MLPs).  Over the past nine years, the group has built one of the largest energy infrastructure sales teams in the industry, with a client base that manages over $300 billion in assets.

David King will be one of the three Managing Partners at U.S. Capital Advisors and will lead U.S. Capital's Institutional Client Group.  Mr. King brings 17 years of experience advising institutional investors, high net worth individuals and family office clients at firms including UBS, Deutsche Bank and Merrill Lynch.  In addition to his team's institutional business, Mr. King and his partners will continue to manage their significant high net worth and family office business, which includes a number of Forbes 400 families.

USCA has also hired Becca Followill as Managing Director, Partner and Head of Equity Research.  Ms. Followill's diversified background includes a wide range of experience in both the energy industry as a petroleum engineer and as an equity research analyst covering the midstream and utility sectors for firms such as Tudor Pickering, Howard Weil and Merrill Lynch.

"We are excited to launch this next growth platform for U.S. Capital Advisors," said Patrick Mendenhall, CEO and Managing Partner.  "With our initial energy infrastructure focus, we will be unique in providing the only institutional research, sales and trading business specifically around the needs of energy infrastructure investors.  Our Institutional Client Group will be a tremendous complement to our growing wealth management business. We are delighted to have David King, his team and Becca Followill join us.  We anticipate building out our capabilities to be able to provide best in class advice, research, corporate access and execution across the energy spectrum."

The firm plans to continue to expand its institutional franchise with additional near-term hires in energy research, sales trading and trading.

About U.S. Capital Advisors LLC

U.S. Capital Advisors is a growing, integrated financial services boutique, providing a full range of advisory services and solutions to high net worth individuals and institutional clients.  Based in Houston, TX, USCA is led by seasoned professionals with proven track records in the industry.  Privately owned, the firm launched business operations in late 2010. Securities Services are provided through USCA Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, and Investment Advisory Services are offered through USCA RIA LLC. USCA Insurance Agency LLC offers insurance-based products.

SOURCE U.S. Capital Advisors LLC