SAN FRANCISCO - Robert Emery, chief executive officer and president of Robertson Stephens Inc., resigned Thursday, the investment banking firm said.
The company, which gave no reason for Mr. Emery's departure, immediately appointed chief operating officer John E. Conlin to succeed him.
Mr. Emery joined Robertson Stephens in 1985 to establish its health-care M&A practice. He became president in April 1999 and CEO in January 2000 when Michael McCaffrey became the chairman and senior strategic adviser.
Mr. Conlin joined the firm in May 1999 from Credit Suisse First Boston, where he had co-headed the European equity business and directed research.
Robertson Stephens, which is owned by FleetBoston Financial Corp., focuses exclusively on growth companies. It has laid off 11% of its work force this year because of the capital markets slowdown.
