Retirement Industry Deals and People Moves- 8/8/2025

Pacific Life Hires Christine Bass to Lead DCLI Team

Christine Bass

The Pacific Life Insurance Co. announced Wednesday that Christine Bass will take over as head of the firm’s defined contribution lifetime income business, succeeding Michael Oler, who will retire at the end of the year. Bass will report to Karen Neeley, senior vice president and head of the institutional retirement solutions group.

Bass first joined Pacific Life in 2022 to lead the firm’s institutional fixed-annuity business. She previously held multiple senior leadership positions across both institutional and retail markets, with a focus on retirement income strategy, product development and participant engagement.

“Christine’s appointment is a powerful next step in accelerating our presence in the retirement income space,” said Chris Stout, the institutional retirement solutions group’s head of national markets, in a statement. “She brings the clarity, experience and focus needed to advance our strategy in a complex retirement income landscape.

Michael Ferraro Joins AllianceBernstein

AllianceBernstein announced its appointment of Michael Ferraro as defined contribution sales specialist and managing director.

In the newly created position, Ferraro will work with institutional DC plan sponsors and other stakeholders to support AB’s North America institutional adviser team and AB’s DC business.

Before joining AB, Ferraro held senior roles at Envestnet and BlackRock. Prior to that, he spent eight years managing client relationships for the insurance sub-advisory and private wealth businesses at AB.

Baron Capital Makes 3 Senior Hires

Gaby Vogel

Eleena Melamed

Jake Lilie

Baron Capital announced Tuesday that it has appointed Jake Lilie as chief technology officer, Eleena Melamed as head of strategic partnerships and Gaby Vogel as head of distribution strategy.

Lilie will lead the firm’s digital strategy. He brings more than two decades of experience in technology and information security management, most recently serving as chief information officer at Alger.

Melamed will lead the expansion of Baron Capital’s investment strategies into alternative products and channels. She joins the firm with 19 years of experience in alternatives, most recently as a partner in Carlyle, where she was a member of the firm’s operating committee and led the firm’s retail insurance efforts.

Vogel will focus on enhancing the firm’s distribution approach. She has 13 years of experience in various distribution roles, most recently as a senior vice president of sales strategy and business management for the Americas at Lazard Asset Management.

Horatio Sparkes to Lead Business Development at Pandion

Pandion Asset Management L.P. announced Tuesday the hiring of Horatio Sparkes as senior director of business development and head of investor relations.

Sparkes is a trustee on the New York Secure Choice Savings Program Board and chair of the board of the Cambria Center for the Gifted Child and the Cambria School of Excellence, in addition to his role at Pandion.

Sparkes brings more than 30 years of experience across the pension and financial services industries. He previously served as partner in and managing director of CapSource Productions and held senior business development roles at Apex, Geronimo Investment Management and the Yucaipa Companies. Earlier in his career, he served as deputy comptroller for pensions for the City of New York and executive director for the New York City Board of Education Retirement System.

“Horatio brings a rare depth of experience across both public and private investment platforms, and that perspective will be invaluable as we continue to scale,” said Brent de Jong, CEO of Pandion Asset Management, in a statement. “His credibility with allocators and commitment to disciplined strategy align closely with how we operate and where we’re headed.”

EOX Appoints Lisa Gomez to Board of Directors

Lisa Gomez

Lisa Gomez, the former head of the Employee Benefits Security Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor, was appointed as a member of the Employee Ownership Expansion Network’s board of directors. She also currently serves as a strategic adviser for Pontera.

While at the DOL from 2022 to 2025, she led the creation of the DOL’s Employee Ownership Initiative and the Division of Employee Ownership. Before entering government service, Gomez spent nearly 30 years in private practice as a partner in and management committee chair at Cohen, Weiss and Simon LLP, where she focused on employee benefits law.

“I’m honored to join the board of EOX and contribute to its work expanding access to employee ownership—a proven model for building economic resilience,” said Gomez in a statement. “In my career working on retirement policy and workplace equity, I’ve seen how giving workers a real say and stake in their company’s success can be transformative. I’m excited to help more businesses and workers tap into this potential as another path for empowering workers and strengthening businesses.”

F&G Appoints Conor Murphy as President, John Currier as Senior Adviser

John Currier

Conor Murphy

F&G Annuities & Life Inc. announced Wednesday that Conor Murphy, the company’s chief financial officer, has assumed the role of president, succeeding John Currier.

Currier, who has served in various leadership roles with F&G for 10 years, has transitioned to a senior advisory role. He reports to Chris Blunt, CEO.

Murphy continues to serve as CFO in addition to his new role. He joined F&G in April, having previously been president and CEO of Resolution Life US. Prior to that, he served as executive vice president and chief operating officer at Brighthouse Financial.

Vince Abio Joins Ameriprise

Vince Abio

Ameriprise Financial Inc. announced that Vince Abio, a financial adviser, has joined S&T Financial Services, a financial advisory practice within Ameriprise’s financial institutions group.

Abio brings 28 years of experience to Ameriprise, most recently having been a financial adviser for Merrill Lynch, where he managed more than $120 million in client assets.

“The transition [to Ameriprise] has been seamless,” Abio said in a statement. “I’m excited to provide an elevated experience to my existing clients and offer meaningful advice on retirement plans to the local business and philanthropic community.”

Inspira Financial Appoints Debby Moorman as EVP, Head of Health and Benefits

Debby Moorman

Inspira Financial Health Inc. has appointed Debby Moorman as executive vice president and head of health benefits. Moorman will lead Inspira’s efforts to advance innovation across its health benefits portfolio, including legacy Inspira and PayFlex portfolios, the integration of First Dollar and the launch of the next-generation platform.

“We are thrilled to welcome Debby to the Inspira leadership team,” said Matt Marek, president of Inspira Financial, in a statement. “Her expertise and vision will be instrumental as we continue to invest in solutions that simplify healthcare spending and improve outcomes for individuals and families.”

Moorman brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in health care and employee benefits, most recently having served as the North America practice leader for health and benefits at WTW. Before joining WTW, she spent more than 20 years at Aetna in several leadership and sales roles, including senior vice president of strategy and innovation.

Crowell & Moring Adds 16 Health Care Litigation Partners

Crowell & Moring LLP added 16 health care litigation partners to the firm, led by trial attorney Martin J. Bishop, who will co-chair Crowell’s health care group. The team joins from Reed Smith LLP, where Bishop served on the firm’s executive committee.

Bishop joins the firm’s Chicago office, along with partners Steven Hamilton, Rebecca Hanson, Thomas Hardy, Daniel Hofmeister, Alexandra Lucas, Jason Mayer, Kevin Tessier and Bryan Webster. Michelle Cheng, Lorenzo Gasparetti, Junga Kim, Amir Shlesinger and Kenneth Smersfelt join in Los Angeles; Karen Braje joins in San Francisco; and Scott Williams joins in Dallas, where the firm will open an office.

Seaport Research Partners Adds Two Strategists

Patrick Palfrey

Jonathan Golub

Seaport Research Partners announced Tuesday that Jonathan Golub has joined the firm as chief equity strategist, and Patrick Palfrey has joined as head of portfolio strategy.

Both new hires previously worked for UBS and Credit Suisse. Golub also worked at J.P. Morgan Funds.

According to SRP, both new hires will offer a suite of services, including written strategy content, portfolio diagnostics, customized analytics and tailored research offerings for institutional investors.