MINNEAPOLIS, Apr 28, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Piper Jaffray (NYSE: PJC) announced today the hiring of two senior research analysts to expand it health care research team. Brooks West, principal, will provide coverage on medical device companies, and Kevin Ellich, principal, will provide coverage on health care services companies. West and Ellich have over 15 and 10 years, respectively, of industry and related experience. They will be based in Minneapolis, covering a select list of small-, mid- and large-cap companies.

"Piper Jaffray has longstanding, deep expertise in the health care industry," said Jeff Klinefelter, director of research at Piper Jaffray. "Expanding the breadth and depth of coverage in the medical technology and health care services arenas reflect our ongoing commitment to providing relevant and timely insights to our clients. We welcome Brooks and Kevin to the team to continue to build this effort."

West joins Piper Jaffray from Craig-Hallum Capital Group, where he was a medical technology analyst. Prior to that, West was director of marketing and business development at Urologix, Inc. He also spent over ten years in investment banking, venture capital and investment management. He received his bachelor's degree in finance and international management from Boston University School of Management.

Ellich has deep expertise on multiple aspects of health care services from the sell side and buy side perspectives. He was most recently a health care services analyst at Collins Stewart and prior to that, RBC Capital markets. He received his bachelor's degree in finance and economics from the University of Minnesota.

Piper Jaffray has 35 senior research analysts located in Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Piper Jaffray provides research insights on 621 companies globally across the business services, consumer, clean technology & industrial growth, financial institutions, health care, and technology, media and telecom sectors.

About Piper Jaffray
Piper Jaffray is a leading middle market investment bank and asset management firm serving clients in the U.S. and internationally. A proven advisory team combines deep product and sector expertise with ready access to global capital. Founded in 1895, the firm is headquartered in Minneapolis and has offices across the United States and in London, Hong Kong and Zurich. www.piperjaffray.com

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SOURCE: Piper Jaffray Companies

Piper Jaffray Companies
Terry Sandven
AnalystMediaRelations@pjc.com