Products June 16, 2023

Ameritas Launches PEP

The pooled employer plan solution will be available on Ameritas’ flexible retirement plan platform.

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Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. has announced the launch of a pooled employer plan, now available on Ameritas’ flexible retirement plan platform.

“Our PEP gives small and mid-size businesses and organizations the opportunity to establish a retirement plan with more ease and alleviates those common roadblocks that cause resistance toward sponsoring a plan,” Jim Kais, executive vice president of retirement plans for Ameritas, said in a statement. “Plan sponsors will now have a viable solution that reduces costs, lessens administrative burdens, and most of all, minimizes financial and legal risk.”

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Ameritas will serve as the recordkeeper, with TRG Fiduciary Services serving as the pooled plan provider. LeafHouse Financial, a discretionary investment manager, will act as the plan’s 3(38) investment fiduciary. Charles Schwab Trust Bank will serve as the directed trustee. 

“What’s great about the new pooled employer plan from Ameritas is that both specialist advisors and generalist financial professionals can grow their practice while streamlining administration,” Scott Holechek, vice president of government and nonprofit retirement plans at Ameritas, said in a statement. “With our flexible platform and managed account options, financial professionals can satisfy varying investment appetites and offer personalized plans.”

Ameritas recently announced that Bill Lester will retire as president and CEO of Ameritas Mutual Holding Co. and several related entities at the end of the year. Bob Jurgensmeier will succeed Lester as CEO, as selected by the board. In addition, Susan Wilkinson will become president and chief operating officer. The transitions will be effective on January 2, 2024.

Deals & People June 16, 2023

Retirement Industry People Moves

CoastalOne appoints Keefe as CEO; WTW appoints Luke to lead global investments business; Calamos Wealth Management adds two senior executives; and more.

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CoastalOne Appoints Keefe as CEO

Kevin Keefe

CoastalOne, a wealth management firm, announced the appointment of Kevin Keefe as CEO. Located in Wilmington, Delaware, the firm is an independent broker/dealer and RIA platform with more than 160 financial advisers.

“I’m thrilled to be here at CoastalOne and excited to work with its new ownership to implement a dynamic vision and growth strategy for the future,” Keefe said in a statement.

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Previously Keefe he was president and CEO of Cetera subsidiary First Allied Securities. Prior to that, he was executive vice president and CEO of corporate RIA at Advisor Group.

WTW promotes Luke to lead global Investments business

WTW, an advisory, broking and solutions company, announced the promotion of Diya Luke as global head of investments, effective July 1.

Luke will be responsible for driving the growth strategy of the company’s Investments business. She joined WTW in 2004 as an investments consultant. Since then, she has held several leadership positions, most recently growth acceleration leader for the company’s health, wealth and career business. 

“We’re excited to appoint Diya to this important leadership position,” Julie Gebauer, head of health, wealth and career at WTW, said in a statement. “She’s an experienced leader with a track record for making smart connections and a deep understanding of our clients’ needs.”

Calamos Wealth Management Adds Chief Investment Officer, Chief Wealth Strategist

Calamos Investments announced the addition of two senior executives. Jon Adams joins as a senior vice president and chief investment officer of wealth management. John Campbell joins as a senior vice president, chief wealth strategist and head of wealth planning and trust services.

Based in metropolitan Chicago, the pair will report to Joe Weidenbach, who was hired as head of Calamos Wealth Management in October 2022.

“As part of our strategic growth strategy, we continue to invest deeply in our wealth management business,” John Koudounis, president and CEO of Calamos Investments, said in a statement. “I’m confident that Jon and John will provide additional firepower to our leadership team so that we can provide our trusted and sophisticated clients the solutions needed to address their most complex planning challenges.”

Cambridge Trust Company Announces Smith as Head of Wealth Management

Jeffrey Smith

Cambridge Trust Co., a subsidiary of Cambridge Bancorp, announced the hiring of Jeffrey Smith as the head of its wealth management group.

A leader in the New England banking market, Smith brings more than 35 years of experience to Cambridge Trust, where he will work with a team of more than 70 professionals.

“With a growing footprint in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, we are well poised to deliver our wealth management capability to clients and prospective clients in the region,” said Denis Sheahan, Cambridge Trust Co.’s president and CEO, in a statement. “We … are excited to welcome Jeff to build upon that foundation to lead the next phase of growth.”

Golia Joins Celent as Senior Analyst

Nathan Golia announced that he will be joining Celent as a senior analyst. He will work with Karlyn Carnahan and the North American insurance team.

Most recently, Golia served as editor-in-chief of digital insurance at Arizent, according to LinkedIn. There he led editorial strategy and content focused on digital transformation of the insurance industry.

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