The board of directors of Springfield’s MassMutual has approved several executive promotions, effective April 1.
The following individuals were promoted to executive vice president from senior vice president:
Robert Casale, who has been named chief information officer, will be accountable for enterprise-wide technology operations, corporate solutions delivery, data management, information and cyber security, continuity planning and overall governance of the information technology development process, as well as oversight of information technology at MassMutual’s subsidiaries.
Under his direction, the company has implemented a streamlined, efficient organizational structure, continued delivery of the company’s modernization programs, maintained superior production operations, and enhanced the strategic focus of the company’s information technology division. He joined MassMutual in 1995.
Debra Palermino has been promoted to executive vice president of human resources.
Since joining the company in 2006, Palermino has led the company’s human resources division. She is responsible for HR strategy and policies, staffing, total rewards, employee relations, succession planning, talent development, diversity and business consulting.
The following individuals were promoted to senior vice president from corporate vice president.
David Allen has been named deputy general counsel, law.
Allen will be responsible for the company’s dispute resolution function and all legal aspects of its company tax function. He has been with MassMutual since 2000.
John Deitelbaum will also serve as deputy general counsel in the company’s legal department.
Deitelbaum is responsible for the legal functions supporting the company’s U.S. insurance group and retirement services businesses. He joined MassMutual in 1996.
Trish Walsh will also serve as deputy general counsel, law at Babson Capital Management LLC, a MassMutual subsidiary, where she is responsible for the company’s overall legal management and strategy.
In addition, she is responsible for legal support for MassMutual’s investment activities. She has been with MassMutual since 2002.
Bill Silvanic will serve as senior vice president of finance and target markets in the retirement services division.
Silvanic is responsible for strategic planning, pricing, financial reporting and risk management, as well as leading the retirement services division’s defined benefit and professional employer organization businesses. He has been with MassMutual since 2003.
Norm Smith will serve as senior vice president of corporate financial.
Smith has served as the controller in the company’s corporate financial division since 2004. In this role, he has responsibility for the company’s financial and investment reporting, accounting policy and financial systems. He joined MassMutual in 2000.
Eric Wietsma has been promoted to senior vice president of investment services in the retirement services division.
As head of the investment services function in the company’s retirement services business, Wietsma is responsible for investment strategy, research, product development, reporting and treasury operations. He joined MassMutual in 2005.
"All of these individuals have outstanding track records of leadership, and these promotions are a reflection of their significant past accomplishments and growth as senior leaders in our organization," said Roger W. Crandall, president and CEO, MassMutual. "By placing a strong commitment on both employee development and succession planning, we feel we have built the most talented and dedicated executive team and workforce in the industry. We look forward to continuing to put that talent to work for the benefit of our policyholders and clients."
