MassMutual Bulks Up Relationship Manager Network

Six relationship managers have been added to MassMutual’s network in New England, New York, the West, Southwest and mid-Atlantic region, boosting the number to 103.

The six will support retirement plan sponsors, advisers and third-party administrators (TPAs). The additions are needed to support record sales, according to Una Morabito, senior vice president, relationship management for MassMutual Retirement Services.

Gregory Baran has been appointed relationship manager for unbundled retirement plans in New England and New York. Baran has nine years of experience in the retirement plan marketplace, most recently as a MassMutual retirement education specialist. Previously he held financial services roles at John Hancock and The Hartford. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Baran reports to Jim Keating, assistant vice president, client relationship management.

Joey Biggerstaff was named relationship manager for large retirement plans in California, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Biggerstaff, who has 21 years of experience in retirement plans, previously was a regional director for relationship management with GuideStone Financial Resources. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Texas A&M University, as well as the Chartered Retirement Plan Counselor (CRPC) designation, and FINRA Series 7, 63 and 26 licenses. Biggerstaff reports to Richard Cartier, assistant vice president, client relationship management.

Jesus Herrera was appointed relationship manager for retirement plans in Houston. With 15 years of experience working with retirement plans, Herrera last worked for Arthur Gallagher & Company as a client relationship consultant. He holds an associate’s degree from Houston Community College, as well as FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses. Herrera reports to Hal Oberg, assistant vice president, client relationship management.

Douglas Morash was named relationship manager for unbundled plans in Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Morash, who has 21 years of retirement industry experience, most recently served as a communications director at MassMutual. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts and a master’s in business administration from Boston College, as well as a FINRA Series 6 license. Morash reports to Keating.

Casey Sand was appointed relationship manager for retirement plans in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. Most recently, Sand, who has 12 years of experience serving retirement plans, was a client service manager for MassMutual Retirement Services. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Arizona State University. Sand reports to Craig Haase, vice president, relationship management.

Emily Totty was named a relationship manager for unbundled retirement plans in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Totty, who has eight years of financial services experience, previously served as a retirement education specialist for MassMutual. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Central Florida and a master’s in business administration from the University of Florida, and holds FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses. Totty reports to Phil Maness, assistant vice president, client relationship management.

The six additions boost the number of relationship managers to 103. Morabito cites MassMutual’s relationship managers as playing a significant role in the firm’s retention and plan sponsor satisfaction rates. The network of relationship managers helps to ensure that MassMutual’s plan sponsors, advisers and third-party administrators (TPAs) receive the support they need to help plan participants prepare adequately for retirement. Relationship managers work with the plan sponsor’s decision-makers, investment advisers and consultants, TPAs, attorneys and accountants to help employers manage their plans as effectively as possible.