ING Retirement Services Takes Commitment to Education Professionals to a 'Higher' Level

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.

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SOURCE: ING Americas

CONTACT: Joe Loparco, ING Americas, Office: +1-860-580-2677, Cell:
860.462.6525, joseph.loparco@us.ing.com

Web Site: http://www.ing-usa.com/