Franklin Templeton announced the appointment of George Stephan to the newly created position of Global Chief Operating Officer of Wealth Management Alternatives. Reporting to Adam Spector, Franklin Templeton?s Executive Vice President and Head of Global Distribution, Stephan oversees alternative investments product innovation and investor services and assists with business development, management and operations. Stephan will partner with the firm's distribution leaders around the world to help drive the overall distribution strategy in addition to advisor education for the alternative investments business in the private wealth channel.

Stephan previously spent five years at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), as the Head of Strategy and Business Development for the firm?s Global Client Solutions business. Before that, he was Chief Operating Officer and Head of Investor Relations for KKR?s Global Wealth Solutions business in the Americas.

Prior to joining KKR, Stephan spent nine years at Morgan Stanley?s wealth management division. Stephan holds a B.S. in finance and an MBA from Wagner College. He currently serves on the Leadership Advisory Council of Wagner College Nicolais School of Business.