Asset management firm MD Sass has added two new senior portfolio managers to its roster. Melissa Sheer has joined as a vice president in its tax-exempt fixed-income division and Mark Crawley has joined as a director of MD Sass affiliate Waterfall Asset Management, which specializes in the management of high-yield asset-backed securities.

Sheer's responsibilities at the New York-based firm include analyzing and managing tax-exempt fixed income securities. Previously, she worked at Morgan Stanley and Company as vice president and senior portfolio manager of separately managed tax-exempt fixed income portfolios.

Crawley will focus on research and trading of high yield asset-backed securities. He was previously responsible for the capital markets advisory effort at Pentalpha Capital Group, where he advised its hedge fund, private equity, and investment banking clients in the acquisition, valuation, and disposition of distressed and subordinate assets.