Perkins Investment Management, a manager of value investing strategies, has appointed former Callan Associates vice president Ron Zia as client portfolio manager.

Zia will provide institutional investment consultants, including manager research professionals and field consultants, with guidance on Perkins' value investment capabilities.

He will also serve as an internal resource for Perkins' institutional sales, portfolio management and client service professionals, facilitating their interactions with the institutional consultant community.

Based in Perkins' home office in Chicago, Zia will report to Peter Q. Thompson, chief executive officer.

"We're thrilled to have such a seasoned investment professional joining Perkins to help us enhance our focus on the consultant marketplace," says Thompson. "As a former consultant himself, Ron understands firsthand the challenges of plan sponsors and will be a great addition to our client service team."

Prior to joining Perkins, Zia spent 14 years with Callan Associates where he served as vice president and investment consultant. Most recently, Zia was responsible for consultant relations and institutional marketing for Los Angeles-based Bradford & Marzec.

Zia has nearly 20 years of industry experience including positions with Merrill Lynch Investment Managers and ING Investment Management.