ING Retirement Services Takes Commitment to Education Professionals to a
'Higher' Level
New Higher Ed Business Development Team Offers Specialized Support for College
and University Retirement Plans
WINDSOR, Conn., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ING's U.S. Retirement
Services announced that it has recently formed a new Business Development Team
dedicated to serving employer-sponsored higher education retirement plans
across the country, and identifying new growth opportunities for this segment
of the 403(b) defined contribution market.
The creation of this new team further underscores ING's commitment to academic
professionals as they prepare for retirement, and builds upon more than forty
years of supporting the education market. It also leverages ING's leadership
in helping school administrators navigate the new regulations governing plans
under section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.
"The increased responsibility placed on higher education employers and the
growing consolidation among plan providers in the wake of the 403(b)
regulations has set the stage for tremendous change in the marketplace," says
Brian Comer, president of Public Markets for ING U.S. Retirement Services.
"With this new team, ING is elevating its long-standing commitment to higher
education institutions by strengthening relationships with existing customers
and proactively forging new partnerships."
The members of ING's new Higher Education Business Development Team include
the following:
Kevin Brown, Senior Vice President. Kevin Brown is leading this team to
broaden ING's national focus on public and private higher education
institutions. Prior to taking on this role, he was Chief Counsel and Head of
External Affairs, overseeing ING's state and federal affairs group. Brown has
held various executive positions in the Law Department at ING and with the
former Aetna U.S. Healthcare.
Kate Lewis, Vice President. Kate Lewis oversees new business development and
sales opportunities for public colleges/universities in the western half of
the country, working closely with ING's local management in that territory.
In addition, she is responsible for creating and managing a national
consultant relations strategy focused on the higher education market. Lewis
joined ING in 1987 and has extensive experience in the 403(b) education and
healthcare markets.
Gregg Holgate, Vice President. Gregg Holgate is responsible for new business
development and sales opportunities in the eastern half of the country,
working closely with ING's local management in that territory. Holgate
returned to ING from The Gabor Agency, where he served as president for three
years. He began his career at ING in 1996, spending more than ten years in
varying senior sales management positions.
Troy Dryer, National Director. Troy Dryer is focused on new business
development and sales opportunities for private colleges/universities in the
western half of the country, working closely with ING's local management in
that territory. Since 1994, he has managed education client relationships.
Prior to joining ING, Dryer worked with large university retirement programs
and also served as Director of operations for a regional third-party
administrator.
Dawn Mazzola, National Director. Dawn Mazzola has more than 15 years of
experience within the financial services marketplace. Prior to joining the
team, she was head of product management for ING's higher education market.
Since joining ING in 1994, Mazzola has held various senior roles in product
management, sales support and operations.
"ING offers a complete package of services to meet the needs of higher
education plans, including comprehensive products, participant education,
expanded administrative offerings and experienced local financial advisors,"
noted Comer. "The business development group is just one more way ING is
helping education plan sponsors maximize their retirement plan offerings."
In the higher education market, ING serves more than 1,300 plans and 91,000
participants across all 50 states, with offices and representatives in the
local communities where it does business. It is also a provider for 15
government-sponsored retirement plans offered to state university systems.
ING's U.S. Retirement Services is a core component of ING's global insurance
operations. The business holds top rankings in the defined contribution
industry with more than 52,000 plan sponsors, approximately 7 million plan
participants, and over $235 billion in combined assets under administration
and management.(1) It is one of the few providers with a scaled leadership
presence and the ability to serve all sizes and segments of the defined
contribution market, including corporate, government, healthcare, K-12 and
higher education.
(1) Pensions & Investments, July 27, 2009.
Press inquiries:
Joe Loparco
ING Americas
Office: 860.580.2677
Cell: 860.462.6525
joseph.loparco@us.ing.com
About ING
ING is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking,
investments, life insurance and retirement services to over 85 million
private, corporate and institutional clients in over 40 countries. With a
diverse workforce of more than 110,000 people, ING is dedicated to setting the
standard in helping our clients manage their financial future.
In the U.S., the ING (NYSE: ING) family of companies offers a comprehensive
array of financial services to retail and institutional clients, which
includes life insurance, retirement plans, mutual funds, managed accounts,
alternative investments, direct banking, institutional investment management,
annuities, employee benefits, financial planning, and reinsurance. ING holds
top-tier rankings in key U.S. markets and serves approximately 30 million
customers across the nation. For more information, visit www.ing.com/US.
SOURCE ING Americas
Joe Loparco, ING Americas, Office: +1-860-580-2677, Cell: 860.462.6525,
joseph.loparco@us.ing.com
