Financial planning firm hires first COO

SARASOTA — Former Wall Street analyst and hedge fund manager Paul Cantor has been named chief operating officer of Kerkering Barberio Financial Services.

It's the firm's first-ever chief operating officer, according to a release. The Sarasota-based company is one of three businesses under the Kerkering Barberio brand. The others are KB Pension Services Inc. and Kerkering, Barberio & Co., one of the largest independently run CPA firms on the Gulf Coast.

Cantor will be a part of a team to develop and implement business and growth strategies for Kerkering Barberio Financial Services, the release states. He has 30 years experience on Wall Street, the firm says, in roles including trader, analyst and hedge fund manager principal.