UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

     
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):   September 22, 2011

Piper Jaffray Companies
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     
Delaware 1-31720 30-0168701
_____________________
(State or other jurisdiction
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(Commission
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(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
      
800 Nicollet Mall, Suite 800, Minneapolis, Minnesota   55402
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(Address of principal executive offices)
  ___________
(Zip Code)
     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   (612) 303-6000

Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Effective September 22, 2011, the Board of Directors of Piper Jaffray Companies (the "Company") increased the size of the Board by one, to nine directors, and elected Hope B. Woodhouse to serve as a director of the Company for an initial term expiring at the Company’s 2012 annual meeting of shareholders. Ms. Woodhouse also joined the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors as of this date. Ms. Woodhouse has over twenty-five years of experience in the financial services industry, having served most recently as chief operating officer of Bridgewater Associates, Inc. She will participate in the Company’s 2011 non-employee director compensation program, receiving a pro-rated $60,000 annual cash retainer, a $60,000 initial equity grant and a pro-rated $60,000 annual equity grant.






SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

         
    Piper Jaffray Companies
          
September 22, 2011   By:   James L. Chosy
       
        Name: James L. Chosy
        Title: General Counsel and Secretary