Hunter replaces Gregory Martino, who will become a consultant to the firm, the company said.

Hunter was formerly chief operating officer, a position he has held since 1997. He began his career working at Drexel Burnham Lambert in 1989, and worked as a broker at several other major investment houses, including Oppenheimer & Co. and Shearson Lehman Brothers, before joining Westrock in 1995 as managing director.

“I’m excited to be leading Westrock at a time when institutional and individual investors are looking for the best partner they can find,” said Hunter. “The events of the last year have rearranged the competitive landscape. Size no longer provides the advantage it once did. We will be able to bring nimble solutions to our clients, recruit outstanding talent, develop new business lines, and make strategic partnerships that will lay the foundation for Westrock’s long term success.”

Westrock Advisors, Inc., is a full-service independent broker/dealer offering financial and wealth management services for retail and institutional investors. As of June 30, the firm had approximately $1.4 billion in assets under management and 50 employees, according to the firm.