Deals and People January 5, 2012

MassMutual Expands Sales and Client Management Organization

January 5, 2012 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – MassMutual Retirement Services Division has expanded its sales and client management organization.  
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Douglas Ragusa has been hired as director, Taft-Hartley client relationship management. In this role Ragusa is responsible for proactively managing Taft-Hartley client relationships nationwide.

Daniel Fay has joined MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division as key account manager. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Fay is focused on strengthening MassMutual’s relationships with the company’s key accounts and retirement plan advisory firms in the Eastern region.

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Ragusa brings over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, primarily focused on relationship management, investment management and operations in the retirement plan market. He most recently served in relationship management with New York Life Investment Management, LLC. He reports to Richard Cartier, assistant, vice president, Taft-Hartley Client Management and Business Development, and is based in Canton, Massachusetts.

Prior to joining MassMutual, Fay held several positions in sales and relationship management with New York Life Retirement Plan Services and Paychex, Inc. He brings with him over 16 years of experience in the retirement services industry. Fay reports to Jonathan Shuman, vice president, head of business development for MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division.

Products January 5, 2012

Mercer Changes Investment Organization

January 5, 2012 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – Mercer has aligned its investment organization to meet changing client needs and to advise on challenging market conditions.
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The changes integrate global investment consulting and investment management at Mercer, provide the opportunity for tailored regional solutions, and strengthen Mercer’s manager research and wealth management capabilities globally, noted Phil de Cristo, president and group executive of investments.   

“Mercer continues to serve its traditional investment consulting client base. But directionally, many of our clients are asking Mercer to move beyond investment consulting and to assume a greater role in helping them manage their investment programs,” said de Cristo. “In an outsourced governance model where Mercer implements investment advice, Mercer almost becomes an extension of company staff. Some clients may not want to staff internally to oversee their alternative investments or other complex investment vehicles, or to monitor fast-moving markets.In other cases, involving DB pension plans, our clients have transitioned to a de-risking model where the speed of decision making enabled by outsourcing of implementation is critically important for clients.” 

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Under Mercer’s new organizational structure, four regional managers for investments, the head of manager research and wealth management, and the global chief investment officer (CIO) will report to de Cristo.  

Andrew Kirton will continue in his role as global CIO with an increased emphasis on strengthening Mercer’s portfolio management and strategic research capabilities.  

Jeff Schutes was named global head of manager research and wealth management. Cara Williams, will continue to lead wealth management, reporting to Schutes.   

Rich Nuzum was appointed head of Investments for the US. Tom Murphy will become head of fiduciary management for the U.S., reporting to Nuzum.  

Tom Geraghty was named head of Investments for EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa).  Michael Dempsey will become head of fiduciary management for EMEA, reporting to Geraghty.  

Stephen Roberts was named head of investments for Asia-Pacific. Simon Eagleton was appointed Australia/New Zealand market leader for investments.    

Ted Singeris was appointed the head of investments for Canada and Latin America. Yvan Bretan will become head of fiduciary management for Canada and Latin America, reporting to Singeris.

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