Raymond James names Dennis Zank as chief operating officer

Raymond James Financial on Monday named Dennis Zank as chief operating officer in a shakeup of some upper management positions within the St. Petersburg financial services firm.

Zank, 57, will assume the duties of current COO Chet Helck, 59, who will continue to oversee the company's global private client group. Zank, who has served as president of the private client group for nine years, will be succeeded by Tash Elwyn.

Separately, Raymond James said that Dick Averitt, CEO and chairman of Raymond James Financial Services, will step down as head of the unit next year. He will be succeeded by Scott Curtis.