A former Merrill Lynch southeast regional managing director has been tapped to run JHS Capital Advisors, the brokerage arm of the firm founded by former GunnAllen chairman John Sykes.

Mary Kennemur, who spent 22 years at Merrill Lynch, will lead the wealth management division that Tampa, Fla.-based JHS bought from GunnAllen Holdings through its purchase of Pointe Capital last week.

John Sykes had bought a controlling stake in GunnAllen in September 2008. Earlier this month he abruptly resigned from GunnAllen, along with a number of other directors of the board, raising questions about the future of the company. Following his resignation from GunnAllen, Sykes founded holding company JHS Capital Holdings, which subsequently bought Pointe Capital.

At Merrill Lynch, Kennemur oversaw advisors in the southeast region who generated a combined $850 million in annual revenue and oversaw assets in excess of $125 billion, according to JHS.

JHS is also looking to add to its ranks of advisors. “Advisors will join a firm that provides a sophisticated wealth management platform, greater autonomy, higher grid payouts and an environment in which their contributions are valued with a eye to providing their clients a world class experience,” Kennemur said in a statement.