MINNEAPOLIS, Feb 04, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Piper Jaffray Companies today announced that Michele Volpi has been elected to serve on the company's board of directors. Volpi is president and chief executive officer of H.B. Fuller Company.

"We are pleased to have Michele join our board of directors," said Andrew Duff, chairman and CEO of Piper Jaffray Companies. "His international operational background and track record of achieving profitable growth will inform our strategic discussions and serve us well as we build a global investment bank."

In Dec. 2006, Mr. Volpi was appointed president and chief executive officer of H.B. Fuller Company, a leading worldwide manufacturer and marketer of adhesives, sealants, paints and other specialty chemical products. Prior to that, he led the turnaround and repositioning of the Global Adhesives Division of H.B. Fuller, the company's flagship business, and served as global manager for the Assembly business. Prior to joining H.B. Fuller Company, Mr. Volpi served as general manager of marketing for General Electric Company.

About Piper Jaffray

Piper Jaffray Companies (NYSE: PJC) is a leading, international middle market investment bank and institutional securities firm, serving the needs of middle market corporations, private equity groups, public entities, nonprofit clients and institutional investors. Founded in 1895, Piper Jaffray provides a comprehensive set of products and services, including equity and debt capital markets products; public finance services; mergers and acquisitions advisory services; structured products; institutional equity and fixed-income sales and trading; and equity research. Piper Jaffray headquarters are located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with offices across the U.S. and in London and Hong Kong. Piper Jaffray & Co. is the firm's principal operating subsidiary. (www.piperjaffray.com)

Since 1895. Member SIPC and FINRA.

© 2010 Piper Jaffray & Co., 800 Nicollet Mall, Suite 800, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-7020

SOURCE: Piper Jaffray

Piper Jaffray Companies
Jennifer A. Olson-Goude, 612-303-6277
Investor and Media Relations