Bear, Stearns & Co has appointed Thomas W Widener as the new senior managing director of the Global Industries Group within Investment Banking.

Widener will lead the firm's global investment banking effort in the power and utilities industry.

"Clients have come to expect unparalleled investment banking guidance when they turn to Bear Stearns," said Jeffrey Urwin, co-head of Investment Banking at Bear Stearns. "Tom's extensive industry knowledge and transaction experience complement our growing presence in the energy and power sector as a firm and his addition will further enhance the services we provide. We are excited to have him join our team."

Widener joins from Merrill Lynch where he was a managing director in the Global Energy and Power Group. He has over twenty years of investment banking experience in the power and utilities sector worldwide and he has been responsible for some of the most significant transactions in the industry. Widener earned a BA from the University of Virginia.