It is unclear if this is a new role, or if John Abunassar replaces anyone.

John Abunassar has joined Northern Trust Asset Management as head of North American sales and distribution, based in Chicago, IL.

Abunassar will work within the institutional group, which provides investments globally to clients including family offices, corporations, foundations and endowments, and sovereign and government entities.

He was most recently head of North American institutional business development and consultant relations at William Blair, where he also previously served as a business leader and investment committee member of the hedge fund strategies team. Earlier, he was a principal at Guidance Capital; president and CEO of Allegiant Asset Management; and also held senior roles with Banc One Investment Advisors.