Deals & People

Prudential Annuities has completed a second round of educational training classes with the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School as part of an executive retirement education program for advisers.

The Newport Group has appointed Vanessa Watkins, the firm’s Director of Retirement Plan Services, to the newly created position of Vice President of Strategic Alliances.

National Retirement Partners, Inc. (NRP) has closed on the acquisition of four advisory groups, thus completing their latest round of the firm’s acquisition strategy.

Russell Investments has named Peter Gunning as its new global chief investment officer (CIO) and managing director of multi-manager investments, effective mid-February.

Columbia Management has announced several key leadership appointments in its distribution and portfolio management areas.

Jerry Bramlett, founder/CEO of The 401(k) Company, has been named as President and Chief Executive Officer at San Ramon, California-based BenefitStreet, Inc.

The Newport Group, a national full-service provider of qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, has appointed Alan Valenca to the position of Regional Director, Qualified Plans, for the firm’s...

Wilmington Trust FSB has agreed to acquire AST Capital Trust Company, a provider of directed trustee, trust administration, and back-office services.

Bill Boyett and Eric Nelson have been named regional managers for Symetra Financial’s Group division, responsible for working with agents and brokers to market and distribute Symetra’s worksite...

Marsh&McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC), whose insurance brokerage unit has undergone management changes in recent months, on Wednesday tapped Brian Duperreault as MMC’s new president and chief executive officer.

National Retirement Partners, Inc. (NRP), a network of independent retirement plan focused advisers, has announced six new member firms.

Putnam Investments has announced its Global Asset Allocation (GAA) Team will assume responsibility on an interim basis for Putnam Voyager Fund and Putnam Growth Opportunities Fund.

DWS Scudder, the U.S. retail unit of Deutsche Bank’s Asset Management division (DeAM), has announced the appointment of four senior professionals to the firm’s wholesale distribution team.

Kathy Curtis has been named director of marketing for Mutual of Omaha’s Retirement Services area.

Peter J. Smail, president of Fidelity Investments’ institutional investment management business, is retiring from his post, the financial services firm announced.