American United Life Insurance Company, Indianapolis, continues to show growth in new sales of 401(k) and 403(b) retirement plans in the first half of 2012. OneAmerica ended the first half of the year up 30% on new sales year-over-year, continuing to build on a record for new sales it set in 2011.
OneAmerica’s 2012 highlights include opening a new Seattle regional sales office for retirement business and welcoming several new sales and service leaders, including a new regional vice president for sales and two regional sales directors.
In 2011, OneAmerica set new records for 401(k) sales, employer-sponsored not-for-profit sales, total assets and plan participants and had its best year of retaining retirement business and renewal growth. The trend continues with retention of existing business running at greater than 95 percent so far this year.
“We are enjoying strong momentum from our designated national account relationships and are continuing to add new ones,” said Mark Glavin, vice president of retirement sales and service distribution for the company. “Our growth is steady across product lines and market segments as well, which gives us confidence that we can continue to be successful going forward.”
In other industry news:
Assurant Health, Milwaukee, Wis., has announced leadership changes. Steve Dziedzic, senior vice president and chief financial officer, will move to the newly created post of senior vice president, new business development. Mark Berquist, vice president and chief actuary, has been promoted to senior vice president, chief financial officer for Assurant Health, effective Aug. 15.
In his new role, Dziedzic will report to Adam Lamnin, president and chief executive officer of Assurant Health, and will lead a new team dedicated to developing innovative solutions that meet consumers’ need for affordability. He joined Assurant Health in 2000 and held various leadership roles in its actuarial and finance departments before being appointed chief financial officer in 2010. and chief financial officer, moves to the newly created post of senior vice president, new business development. Mark Berquist, vice president and chief actuary, is promoted to senior vice president, chief financial officer for Assurant Health, effective Aug. 15.
Dziedzic holds a degree in mathematics from the University of Southern California, and is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and member of the American Academy of Actuaries. He serves on the board of directors and is treasurer for Community Care Inc., a managed care organization serving elders and adults with disabilities in southeastern Wisconsin.
In his new post, Berquist will report to Mike Peninger, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Assurant Inc. and serve as a member of the Assurant Health executive team. Since joining the company in 2002, Berquist has held a number of positions. In 2010, he became vice president and chief actuary, a role he will retain along with his CFO responsibilities.
Berquist also holds the FSA designation and is a member of the AAA. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in mathematics, he serves on the board of directors for The Guest House, a non-profit organization serving the homeless in the Milwaukee community.
Prudential Individual Life Insurance, Newark, N.J., has announced Caroline Feeney, who is currently Agency Distribution’s vice president of the eastern territory, will become president of Agency Distribution, succeeding John Greene, when he retires in September.
In this role she will be responsible for the company’s career distribution system for insurance and investment products in the United States.
As vice president for the eastern territory, Feeney has oversight for 14 agencies in nine states. She began her career with Prudential in 1993 where she held a number of positions in field sales management before moving to the corporate office. In previous roles she was responsible for the national recruitment and selection processes for field sales positions, and training and development of field managers, financial professionals and planners. Caroline is a member of the Board of Trustees of The American College, as well as a member of the board’s executive committee. She graduated from Bucknell University, has an MBA from Columbia University and holds the Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant designations.