Deals & People

Manulife Asset Management has expanded its equity investment capabilities with the hiring of Jay Zelko, David Chow, and Curtis Ifill, to be led by W. Shannon Reid, CFA.

Freedom One Financial Group, a 401(k) consultant firm, has appointed John A. Caldwell to its executive team as chief investment officer.

ING Investment Management Americas has hired Robert Robis as Senior Portfolio Manager on the Global Bond Team and Head of Fixed Income Macro Strategies.

The Newport Group appointed Anthony Laudato as Vice President and Chief Actuary, leading the firm’s bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) line of business.

SageView Advisory Group appointed Todd Kobayashi, CFA, as Managing Director, Investment Strategy of its Midwest team. 

Putnam Investments announced that Aaron Cooper and Richard “Shep” Perkins will lead the firm’s global equity research and international equity investments teams. 

The end of the NFL lockout doesn’t just mean play can resume, it also means pay and benefits can resume.

Great-West Retirement Services has appointed J. Chris Luttges as regional 401(k) sales director for northern Virginia and the District of Columbia.

ING Investment Management has hired Ken Sarafa as Senior Vice President, Institutional Sales and Relationship Management, with responsibility for the Midwest region.

Symetra Life Insurance Company plans to expand its annuities portfolio and develop new registered products, hiring Kevin Knull to head up these endeavors.  

Safe Harbor Asset Management (SAM) has formed a partnership with MilleniuM Investment & Retirement Advisors (MIRA) in support of its 401k Solution.

Fiduciary Investment Advisors, LLC (FIA) announced that Vincent M. Smith has joined the firm as an investment consultant.

Rafalko Investment Advisory, LLC has acquired Piedmont Independent Fiduciaries, both Virginia-based firms.

The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America has appointed Jason Frain, Vice President, 401(k) Product Management and Development, Retirement Solutions.

Great-West Retirement Services has appointed Daniel Friel as third-party administrator relationship manager for the East region.

Ariel Investments, LLC named Rupal J. Bhansali as Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of International Equities.

Russell Investments announced that Shelton Unger joined the firm to lead Russell Index sales and relationships with retirement plan sponsors, foundations, and endowments.  

Prisma Capital Partners has hired Arthur Richardson to work as a risk manager. 

Russell Investments has expanded its institutional defined contribution team with the appointments of Keith Lennon and Michelle Rappa.

Franklin Templeton Multi-Asset Strategies (FTMAS) has hired five investment professionals to the platform’s global tactical asset allocation (GTAA) group.