Baird Honors Docking with Brenton H. Rupple Citizenship Award

Milwaukee, Wis. – May 18, 2018 – Baird, an international, employee-owned wealth management, capital markets, private equity and asset management firm, has named Jill Docking the 2018 recipient of the Brenton H. Rupple Citizenship Award, the firm’s highest community service honor. The award, which is bestowed on one associate each year for his or her outstanding dedication to community service and support, was presented to Docking at Baird’s annual meeting on May 10. The award includes a donation from Baird Foundation to the Kansas Council for Economic Education.

Docking, Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor, in Baird’s Wichita, Kan., wealth management office is the 21st recipient of the award, first presented in 1998 to the late Brenton Rupple, Sr., former Baird President and Chairman of the Board. Rupple devoted countless hours throughout his life to more than 40 civic and charitable organizations and college boards.

“While also building and leading a successful private wealth business, Jill has been relentless and impactful in her quest to educate underprivileged kids, support initiatives in higher education and simply make her state better,” said Paul Purcell, Chairman of Baird, who presented the award to Docking.

Docking is described by her colleagues as an empathetic leader who inspires others to serve. In 1999, she founded Financial Fitness Foundation, a nonprofit organization that teaches students in Kansas how to make responsible financial decisions that benefit their future. The commitment to financial literacy was picked up by most Kansas public school districts through standardized testing and required literacy classes. Because of this program, thousands of students have been equipped with the skills, knowledge and resources to improve their money management.     

Docking has demonstrated a passion for education by serving on the Kansas Board of Regents and as co-chair for the University of Kansas’ (KU) capital campaign. She is also a member of the KU endowment and medical boards. Over the years, she has also served in other volunteer and leadership capacities throughout Kansas including being a board member of the local Big Brothers and Big Sisters chapter.

“What I admire the most about Jill is her generosity and the grace with which she carries herself,” said Chris Trumble, Branch Manager of Baird’s Wichita wealth management office. “She's always willing to help and asks the right questions. That is who she really is, and that is what draws people to her – not only in the community, but here at Baird.”

Baird’s commitment to the community
Baird has a long-standing tradition of giving back to the communities in which its associates live and work, both on a corporate and individual level. Baird Foundation provides support to charitable organizations and Baird associates actively volunteer in their communities. Baird’s firm wide Charitable Gift Matching Program provides

a match for associates’ financial contributions to eligible nonprofit organizations. Associates also receive two paid days off each year to perform volunteer service through the “Baird Cares” program.

Each year, associates team up during Baird Gives Back Week to help with projects such as preparing and serving food, tutoring students, working with seniors, building homes, and cleaning up parks. In 2017, more than 1,700 Baird associates and family members donated 6,000 volunteer hours during the week of May 15-20 to help over 130 non-profit organizations worldwide.

About Baird
Baird is an employee-owned, international wealth management, capital markets, private equity and asset management firm with offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. Established in 1919, Baird has approximately 3,500 associates serving the needs of individual, corporate, institutional and municipal clients. Baird has $203 billion in client assets as of Dec. 31, 2017. Committed to being a great place to work, Baird ranked No. 12 on FORTUNE’s 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2018 – its 15th consecutive year on the list. Baird is the marketing name of Baird Financial Group. Baird’s principal operating subsidiaries are Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated in the United States and Robert W. Baird Group Ltd. in Europe. Baird also has an operating subsidiary in Asia supporting Baird’s investment banking and private equity operations. For more information, please visit Baird’s Web site at www.rwbaird.com.

For additional information, contact:
Baird Public Relations
(414) 765-7250