BNY Mellon Wealth Management said it is solidifying its presence in San Diego with two hires and a promotion.

BNY Mellon has recruited Elaine Leach for a newly-created wealth director role, and hired Ryan Mitchell as an associate portfolio manager, in San Diego, CA.

The firm has also promoted Jeremy Kovacs to senior portfolio manager in San Diego. All three report to regional managing director, Paul Thiel.

The additions to the San Diego office, which opened in December of 2013, are part of the firm’s strategic hiring initiative in key wealth markets. Since establishing its San Diego County presence, BNY Mellon has increased its assets there by 300 per cent and its staff size by 50 per cent, it said.

Leach replaces Thiel in his former role in San Diego - subsequent to his recent promotion to managing director. Before joining BNY Mellon, she served as business development manager at TAG Family CFO Services.

Mitchell was previously an alternative investment consultant in the private client group of Altegris Investments, and, before that, held a similar role at Triton Capital Advisors. 

Earlier in his career at BNY Mellon Wealth Management, Kovacs was a portfolio manager, responsible for private client and foundation assets. Earlier, he was an investment management specialist at Wells Fargo.