ING Advisors Network Chief Executive Officer, John Simmers, Appoints Management Team
PRNewswire-FirstCall
ATLANTA
Jul 22, 2002
ING Advisors Network, part of ING's U.S. financial services operations, today announced that a new management team for ING's network of independent broker-dealers has been appointed. John Simmers, recently named chief executive officer, ING Advisors Network, made the announcement across their broker-dealer network. Simmers replaced Miles Gordon on July 1, 2002. Gordon announced his retirement as CEO of ING Advisors Network in March 2002.
"Our objective at ING Advisors Network is -- and has always been -- to put our clients first and to make doing business with us very easy for financial professionals," Simmers said. "My first key action as CEO was to organize a strong and unified leadership team, ensuring that we continue to achieve that objective. Broker-dealers and their representatives are facing new challenges today -- unprecedented challenges that are forging a new reality for financial professionals and investors alike. We are extremely fortunate to have the expertise and experience necessary within ING Advisors Network to turn those challenges into opportunities for the financial professionals affiliated with our broker-dealer network."
ING Advisors Network has more than 10,500 registered representatives across its eight broker-dealer firms and has nearly 1,000 home office employees to support its registered representatives. ING Advisors Network comprises Financial Network Investment Corp., in Torrance, Calif.; Washington Square Securities, Inc. (WSSI), in Minneapolis; Locust Street Securities, Inc. (LSSI), in Des Moines, Iowa; IFG Network Securities (IFG), in Atlanta; PrimeVest Financial Services, in St. Cloud, Minn.; VESTAX Securities Corp., in Hudson, Ohio; Multi-Financial Securities Corp., in Denver, Colo.; and Financial Northeastern Corp., in Fairfield, N.J.
The following appointments were made to the ING Advisors Network management team:
* Valerie Brown was named head of Channels and National Sales Manager.
Brown is new to the ING Advisors Network, but not new to ING. Valerie
has been with ING since 1996 and most recently served as Chief of Staff
for ING Group's Executive Committees, Americas and Asia/Pacific. In
her new role, Brown will help guide the strategic direction of the
broker-dealers. She will be instrumental in enhancing ING's recruiting
efforts, continuing to build relationships with registered
representatives and coordinating ING's marketing platform.
* Jackie Figliola was named head of Operations and Product. Figliola has
been part of the ING Advisors Network management team for many years.
Figliola brings extensive product and industry knowledge to her new
role. She will focus on building ING Advisor Network's product and
operations platform and enhancing the strategic product relationships
that are currently in place.
* Jack Handy was named head of Bank and Independent Channels. With more
than 20 years of experience in the industry, Handy will be responsible
for ING's independent broker-dealers (IFG, Financial Network, Multi-
Financial, and VESTAX) and its banking organizations (PrimeVest and
Financial Northeastern). Handy will remain in his role as president
and CEO of Financial Network.
* Cindy Hamel was named chief operating officer. Hamel was previously
the chief information officer for ING Advisors Network and will retain
those responsibilities until a replacement is named. As COO, Hamel
will be responsible for overseeing trading and operations, licensing,
commissions, and information technology.
Having solidified ING Advisor Network's senior management structure, Simmers also announced the formation of a new Executive Team that will guide the organization's strategic direction. Members of the team include Simmers, Jackie Figliola, Valerie Brown, Jack Handy, Cindy Hamel, Jack Conley (CEO and president of IFG and Vestax, Chairman of Multi-Financial Securities), Marc Lieberman (CEO of WSSI and LSSI) and Mark Marr (chief financial officer).
ING's U.S. financial services operations (http://www.ing-usa.com/ ) offer a comprehensive array of products and services, including life insurance; fixed and variable annuities; retirement programs; employee benefits; and mutual funds, through a variety of distribution channels. ING U.S. Financial Services is part of Amsterdam-based ING Groep N.V., one of the largest integrated financial services organizations in the world.
Contact: Dana E. Ripley - 770.980.3317 or 404.202.6679 (cellular), or Email dana.ripley@ing-fsi-na.com
SOURCE: ING Americas
CONTACT: Dana E. Ripley of ING Americas, +1-770-980-3317, or cellular,
+1-404-202-6679, or e-mail, dana.ripley@ing-fsi-na.com
Web site: http://www.ing-usa.com/