Academic and Professional Background

Publications

The Retirement Income Sonnet

When Going Organic Might Be Thriftier: Funding Retirement Cashflow

I'm HIPP, and That's Not Cool

How to Improve Outcomes When Using a Time Segmentation "Bucket" Strategy

With the S&P 500 Looking Pricey, Now is the Time for Structured Annuities

With Interest Rates Near Historic Lows, Caveat Emptor Before Purchasing an Income Annuity

Should You Heed the Wall Street Journal’s Warning About the 4% Rule?

What to do with a Decade of Surplus Gains from the Stock Market?

Years of Experience

2019-2021

Vice President, Business Development and Messaging, SYMETRA Financial

Assumed new role with broad latitude designed to leverage relationship and messaging skills, Areas of focus and activity included regular message development and coaching with annuity wholesalers across channels (wire, bank, independent) with a special focus on the independent broker/dealer channel. Role culminated in assignment to build new distribution effort and team charged with making inroads in the small regional broker/dealer channel as well as direct agreements.

2012-2018

Vice President, Head of Retirement Marketing, SYMETRA Financial

Responsible for all marketing and message development activities in support of a $25 billion dollar block and $3-5 billion annual sales budget of full suite of fixed deferred, income, variable, and fixed indexed annuities. Assembled and led team of marketing professionals within the P&L business unit who work closely with colleagues in the shared service brand marketing team for provision of design, fulfillment and digital asset services, while retaining full control of messaging and content.

2008-2012

Vice President, Marketing Account Management, AIG/American General

Led realigned product marketing team post-financial crisis, responsible for providing marketing support for with three business units: Life Insurance, Annuities, and Supplemental Health Benefits, all within the independent life insurance distribution space.

1994-2008

Assistant Vice President, Annuity Marketing, MassMutual

Built and led team responsible for all marketing activities in support of career agent and third party distribution of suite of MassMutual fixed and variable annuities. Established consistent communication forums with both field and clients, from weekly "Weekend Update" emails that went out every Friday to career agents, to a client newsletter that remains in circulation.

1994

MA, Public Policy, Trinity College

1986