Northwestern promotes 3 to executive roles

Northwestern Mutual promoted Todd Jones, Christian Mitchell and Sarah Schneider to executive roles, effective Nov. 1.

Todd Jones, previously vice president – product finance, is now vice president and chief risk officer of Northwestern Mutual. Jones joined Northwestern Mutual in 2003 as a broker-dealer financial consultant. He was named director – investment products and services in 2006 and was promoted to his current role in March 2012. Prior to joining Northwestern Mutual, Jones spent 13 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers in various roles of increasing responsibility.

Christian Mitchell, formerly director – strategic planning and competitive analysis, is executive officer, vice president and head of the corporate planning department. Mitchell joined Northwestern Mutual in 2006 as an associate in Northwestern Mutual Capital where he was responsible for the analysis, evaluation and execution of private debt and equity investment opportunities. Prior to joining Northwestern Mutual, Mitchell completed internships with Russell Investments and GE Energy Financial Services. Previous to his graduate studies, Mitchell was with Spectra Symbol Corp.

Sarah Schneider, CLU, ChFC, CFP, previously director – annuity operations, has been named an executive officer, vice president and head of the new business department.

Schneider joined Northwestern Mutual in 1999 after eight years with the consulting firm, Accenture. Most recently, she served as chief operations officer for the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company. With Northwestern Mutual, Schneider’s previous positions included: director of life insurance new business, director of Internet and assistant director of corporate projects.

In other industry news:

Transamerica added four mutual funds to its retail lineup: Transamerica Tactical Allocation, Transamerica Tactical Rotation, Transamerica Income & Growth and Transamerica Enhanced Muni.

Transamerica Tactical Allocation (TTAAX, TTACX, TTAIX) may be appropriate for investors who are looking for a more active allocation fund with inflation protection, and exposure to international and emerging markets.

Transamerica Tactical Rotation (ATTRX, CTTRX, ITTOX) may be appropriate for investors who are looking for an opportunistic global equity fund with high equity upside potential through rotating tactically between U.S. sectors and international countries.

Transamerica Income & Growth (TAIGX, TCIGX, TIIGX) may be appropriate for investors who are looking for both income and growth opportunities, and the potential for increased global diversification, within one fund.

Transamerica Enhanced Muni (TAMUX, TCMUX, TIMUX) may be appropriate for investors who are attempting to diversify their portfolios through stable return opportunities, looking for additional tax benefits, and seeking lower correlated strategies to help decrease overall portfolio volatility.

The funds will be available to retail and institutional investors through class A, C and I shares.