Analytics

Simsbury, Conn. - The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. appointed David Levenson president and chief executive officer of its Japan-based subsidiary, Hartford Life Insurance K.K. Effective Oct. 1., Levenson will replace Gregory Boyko, who will remain chairman of the Japan enterprise while undertaking a new assignment for The Hartford in the United States. Levenson, currently chief operating officer of Hartford Life in Japan, will lead the company's efforts to grow sales of annuities and introduce new products to take advantage of the financial security needs of Japan's aging population. He will report to Lizabeth Zlatkus, co-chief operating officer of Hartford Life Inc. and president of International Wealth Management and Group Benefits. Joining The Hartford in 1995, Levenson was responsible for starting the company's retail mutual fund business. In 1999, he assumed responsibility for The Hartford's 401(k) business. Levenson was promoted in 2002 to run the retail product management group, which included annuities, mutual funds, 401(k) and 529 programs. Most recently, in 2005, Levenson joined Hartford Investment Management Co. as a managing director and led sales and marketing for the company's asset manager. Source: The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc.

Novato, Calif. - Randy Farless has been named senior vice president, sales and marketing, at Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. In this role, Farless is responsible for the Fireman's Fund marketing and sales strategy, and leads the distribution management team that includes field executive and business development efforts across the United States, and processes, tools and technology that support the sales organization. Farless joined Fireman's Fund in 2006 as vice president, marketing for the company's commercial business. Previously, he worked for three years as vice president, agency distribution for the Springfield, Ill.-based Horace Mann Insurance Co. Earlier, he served at Safeco Insurance Co., Seattle, Wash. for 20 years, most recently as vice president of property/casualty marketing. During his Safeco tenure, he also held several leadership positions in distribution. Source: Fireman's Fund Insurance Co.

Columbia, Mo. - After 10 years of serving as a board member of the Columbia Insurance Group, a regional insurance company, which specializes in auto, home, business, and farm coverage, Gene Wills has ended his term. During his tenure, revenues for the corporation more than doubled while financial reserves increased at an even greater rate. Wills served on the boards of both the Columbia Mutual Insurance Co. and Columbia Insurance Group Inc., providing governance and direction to both organizations. Wills will remain the managing principal of the Gene E. Wills Insurance Agency and Wills Insurance Services LLC, headquartered in Jackson, Mo. Source: Columbia Insurance Group

Simsbury, Conn. - The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc., one of the nation's largest diversified financial services companies, announced that Robert Reiff was promoted to senior vice president and director of distribution and field service for its group benefits division (GBD). Reiff is responsible for the division's field sales and service organization, including account management, implementation and enrollment resources that support field sales and service activities for group life and disability insurance. He also manages the development of new distribution relationships, including producer education. Prior to joining The Hartford, Reiff was vice president of sales and marketing for Portland, Ore.-based Standard Insurance Co. He spent 13 years in roles with increasing responsibility in directing sales, marketing, product development, training and e-business management. Source: The Hartford

Columbia, Mo. - Steve Standridge was elected to serve on the board of directors for Columbia Mutual Insurance Co. and Columbia Insurance Group Inc. Standridge, who established Steve Standridge Insurance Inc., Mount Ida, Ark., an independent insurance agency in 1982, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the board.

Stamford, Conn. - Eric Simpson has joined Towers Perrin's Reinsurance business as senior vice president. Simpson will be based in the global professional services firm's Philadelphia office where he will be responsible for the Market Services unit that monitors the financial stability of the various reinsurance markets, provides market analytical support to brokers and assists clients in the understanding of how third-party organizations view the company. Simpson brings significant financial, analytical, marketing and managerial expertise in the (re) insurance marketplace to the firm. Prior to joining Towers Perrin, he was a senior vice president and deputy chief financial officer with Liberty Corner, N.J.-based Everest Re Group Ltd. While with Everest Re, Mr. Simpson assisted the CFO in the management of the corporate financial function, worked closely with the firm's CRO in the development of enterprise risk management initiatives and acted as a senior liaison with the rating agencies. Source: Towers Perrin Towers Perrin's Reinsurance business

New York - New York Life Insurance Co. promoted Gary Scofield to senior vice president and chief actuary, reporting to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Michael Sproule. Scofield is responsible for the office of the chief actuary, overseeing companywide actuarial activities including certifying company reserves, establishing appropriate capital requirements and overseeing business unit product pricing. He also is responsible for all actuarial staffing and talent development, and for ensuring high standards of actuarial practice. Before joining the office of the chief actuary last year, Mr. Scofield was vice president and actuary in the Individual Life department, where he functioned as head pricing actuary. Prior to re-joining New York Life, Scofield held officer-level pricing, marketing and financial positions with several life insurance and reinsurance companies. Before that, he was an actuary with New York Life from 1997 to 1998. Source: New York Life Insurance Co.

New York - New York Life Insurance Co. announced that Steven D. Lash has rejoined New York Life as senior vice president in the Corporate Finance department. Lash reports to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Michael Sproule. The company also announced that Richard J. Witterschein has been promoted to first vice president and treasurer, reporting to Lash. Lash is responsible for managing several of New York Life's core financial functions including the actuarial, tax and treasury departments as well as all facets of corporate development, which include strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions and investor relations/rating agency relationships. Lash most recently served as principal within the Insurance and Actuarial Advisory Services (IAAS) division at London-based Ernst & Young. Prior to Ernst & Young, he spent five years with New York-based Chase Manhattan Bank as vice president, insurance corporate finance, and began his career with New York Life in 1987 as an actuarial assistant. Witterschein is responsible for the overall management of the Treasury department, which includes cash and liquidity management and bank relations. Having joined New York Life in 1996 as a director in the Treasury department, Witterschein was promoted to assistant vice president in 1997, corporate vice president in 2000 and vice president in 2006. Source: New York Life Insurance Co.

New York - Global reinsurer Swiss Re Capital Management & Advisory announced that Jamshid Ehsani has joined its Capital Management and Advisory business. Ehsani joins Swiss Re from InsCap Management LLC, a New York-based specialty finance company, where Ehsani was president and chief risk officer. Ehsani and his team work closely with life insurance, reinsurance carriers, InsCap and other life insurance originators and aggregators, regarding opportunities in the areas of life insurance and capital markets. Source: Swiss Re

Springfield, Mass. - MassMutual Financial Group has promoted two key members of its Retirement Services division's management team, Ian Sheridan and Eric Wietsma, to corporate vice president. Ian Sheridan, chief marketing officer for MassMutual's Retirement Services division, joined MassMutual as vice president of marketing in 2003. As chief marketing officer for Retirement Services, Sheridan has direct oversight of the value proposition, product innovation and development of all IRA, defined contribution, defined benefit and investment products. Prior to joining MassMutual, Sheridan served as head of marketing and business development for ADP Retirement Services. In his role as corporate vice president of Investment Services, Eric Wietsma heads up the investments organization of MassMutual's Retirement Services division encompassing strategy, research, investment product development, investment reporting and treasury operations. Prior to joining MassMutual in December 2005, Wietsma managed the public retirement plan business at The Hartford. Source: MassMutual Financial Group