Zank is Raymond James COO

ST. PETERSBURG -- Raymond James Financial Inc. (symbol: RJF) named Dennis Zank its new chief operating officer this week.

Zank moves from his former position as president of Raymond James & Associates, the firm's brokerage subsidiary, into a leadership role with the parent company. Zank first joined Raymond James in 1978 as an accountant, and became controller in 1982. He has been leading Raymond James & Associates' Private Capital Group for nine years.

Tash Elwyn will take over for Zank as president of Raymond James & Associates Jan. 3, according to Raymond James Financial CEO Paul Reilly.