The new president of Merrill Lynch’s U.S. Private Client Group, James Gorman, today announced several senior management appointments.

Chief among the announcements was the naming of Bob Mulholland as Gorman’s replacement as head of the client relationship group. In his new role, Mulholland will serve on the USPC executive committee, he will be responsible for the Advisory Division, the Institutional Advisory Division and Wealth Management Services operating units. Mulholland has worked as a financial advisor and in a succession of management positions.

Executive director Dan Sontag, who directed eight of the group’s 16 business districts, now assumes responsibility for all 16. He also began his career as a financial advisor.

First vice president Mary Allyn, previously a director in the Advisory Division, becomes head of USPC human resources, and also joins the USPC executive committee. She succeeds Terry Kassel, who was recently named head of global human resources for Merrill Lynch & Co.

Ron Strauss has been appointed as head of the Marketing and Investments Group, succeeding Rosemary Berkery, who was named general counsel of Merrill Lynch & Co. Strauss also joins the USPC executive committee. His group will be responsible for all investment products and services, including managed-money products, the investment performance and financial planning processes, USPC research and investment policy.

And, in a signal of the firm’s commitment to call centers and online client service, Andy Sieg, head of Merrill Lynch Direct, will also join the USPC executive committee, reporting directly to Gorman.

“One of the most gratifying things about Merrill Lynch is our incredible depth of management talent, particularly in our domestic private client business,” said Gorman.

“While that talent has always been evident, over these past few difficult weeks, it has shone through as perhaps never before. I am excited about working with our entire management team, building on the historic Merrill Lynch legacy and extending our market leadership.”