Roger W. Crandall has assumed the position of chairman of the board of directors of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual), effective today.

The appointment as chairman, previously announced in June, is in addition to his current roles as president and chief executive officer.

As chairman, Crandall succeeds Stuart H. Reese, who has retired. Reese served as chairman and CEO of MassMutual prior to Crandall’s appointment to CEO on Jan. 1.

"I am proud and honored to serve as chairman of MassMutual, particularly as we approach our 160th anniversary next year," said Crandall. "It is equally an honor to follow in the footsteps of a leader like Stu Reese, who showed a unique combination of intellect, integrity and stewardship throughout his tenure at MassMutual."

Crandall joined MassMutual in 1988 and spent the first 12 years of his career in the company’s investment management department. In 2000, he joined Babson Capital Management LLC, a MassMutual subsidiary, and in 2002 was named managing director and head of the company’s corporate bond management, public bond trading and institutional fixed income units. He became chairman of Babson Capital and executive vice president and chief investment officer of MassMutual in 2005, and was appointed co-chief operating officer of MassMutual in 2007. He was named president and chief operating officer in 2008, at which point he joined the board of directors, according to a statement.