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Convergent Wealth Advisors of New York has hired Nicole M. Cost, 37, as a managing director.

She is responsible for client service and business development.

Previously, Ms. Cost was a managing director at Evercore Wealth Management in New York.

Raymond James & Associates Inc. of St. Petersburg, Fla., has made a number of hires.

Kendall Acheson, 29, is a financial adviser, specializing in helping mid- to late-career professionals manage their finances. Previously, she was an adviser at Morgan Stanley of New York.

Bill Callis, 45, is senior vice president of investments, specializing in wealth management for high-net-worth individuals, business owners and family offices. Previously, he was a senior vice president in Plano, Texas, for Southwest Securities Inc. of Dallas.

Stephanie E. Kelly, 49, is associate vice president of investments, focusing on assisting clients who are in or transitioning to retirement. Previously, she was an adviser at Morgan Stanley.

Jason Saunders, 47, is vice president of investments, responsible for helping entrepreneurs manage their finances. Previously, he was a vice president at Morgan Stanley.

Alan Spilker, 61, is senior vice president of investments, specializing in middle-market fixed income. Previously, he was a first vice president at Bank of America Merrill Lynch of New York.

Anthony Vaccaro Jr., 43, is senior vice president of investments, concentrating on business continuation and estate planning strategies for business owners, corporate lending institutions and advisers. Previously, he was a senior vice president at Southwest Securities.

KCD Financial Inc. of De Pere, Wis., has hired Jordan L. Kimmel, 55, as chief market strategist.

He is responsible for providing guidance to brokers and their clients on risk and opportunities in capital markets.

Previously, Mr. Kimmel was portfolio manager of The Magnet Fund of Randolph, N.J.

Geneos Wealth Management Inc. of Denver has promoted Ryan W. Diachok, 34, to president from senior vice president of recruiting and business development.

He is taking over day-to-day leadership responsibilities from Russell R. Diachok, who will stay on as chief executive.

New York Life Insurance Co. has elected John Y. Kim, 53, vice chairman.

He is the head of the company’s investment group and will oversee the company’s technology functions in addition to his other responsibilities.

American International Group Inc. of New York has hired Liza Tyler, 44, as senior vice president of annuity distribution for AIG Financial Distributors.

She will develop and execute annuity sales strategies for both the institution’s brokerage firms and AIG Financial Network.

Previously, Ms. Tyler was vice president of relationship management for New York Life Investments.

U.S. Bank Wealth Management of Minneapolis has hired Douglas Hockersmith, 40, as vice president and senior portfolio manager for the bank’s private-client reserve.

He provides clients with investment services, such as asset allocation strategies and recommendations.

Previously, Mr. Hockersmith was chief investment officer of Sovereign Wealth Advisors Inc. of Bellevue, Wash.

In addition, affiliate U.S. Bancorp Investments has hired two registered client associates.

Robert Higueria, 33, will assist financial advisers with operations, customer service and sales support. Previously, he was an investment consultant at Scottrade of St. Louis.

Bruce Singkhaophet, 29, will work with other advisers to help clients in a variety of financial servicing tasks. Previously, he was a relationship manager at the Bank of the Cascades in Bend, Ore.

Ronald Blue & Co. of Roswell, Ga., has hired two senior advisers, Scott Calhoun and Skip Perkins, for its family office division to help families manage and preserve wealth for the next generation.

Previously, Mr. Calhoun, 47, was executive vice president at Glenmore Advisors in Atlanta, and Mr. Perkins, 44, was a senior vice president and lead family office adviser at Synovus Family Asset Management of Columbus, Ga.

Ronald Blue has also promoted Deborah Kimery, 51, to executive vice president of operations, from senior vice president of adviser services.

She will head the firm’s operations committee and lead the teams responsible for the service and support of the financial advisers and staff.

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