Putnam Investments has promoted Robert E. Alan to head of North American consultant relations and Keith E. Thomas to head of international consultant relations. The two will work with the consultants who advise institutional investors on investment strategy and the selection of managers.
"Institutional asset management is an increasingly important part of Putnam's business, and the promotions of highly experienced and respected professionals such as Rob Alan and Keith Thomas reflect our longstanding commitment not only to serving institutional investors globally but also to building strong relationships with the consultant community," said Joseph T. Phoenix, managing director and head of global institutional management at Putnam, to whom Alan and Thomas now report.
Alan joined Putnam in 2006 as senior vice president and consultant relations manager, North America, West region, and subsequently moved to the Northeast to serve as consultant relations manager, North America, East region. A 17-year veteran of the investment industry, Alan previously worked in consultant relations at Babson Capital Management and Fidelity Management Trust Co. and as an internal wholesaler at Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Co.
Thomas has more than two decades of experience in the investment industry. He, too, joined Putnam in 2006, as a consultant relations manager and was subsequently promoted to head of European consultant relations and international account manager. Previously, he held senior positions with Resolution Asset management, Baring Asset Management and William M. Mercer.
Kuberski Leads Sales at RidgeWorth Investments
RidgeWorth Investments has hired Bob Kuberski to fill the newly created role of national sales manager for the retail adviser channel. He will build a team of five to seven wealth consultants who will call on advisers affiliated with broker-dealers and registered investment advisers.
Kuberski has more than a decade of experience in the asset management industry. Previously, he was a regional vice president with Invesco. From 1995 to 2000, he played professional football for the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots. In the off season, he worked for Morgan Stanley as a financial adviser.
"Over the past decade, Bob has built a strong reputation among advisers as a partner who can add value to their businesses," said Jim Stueve, president of RidgeWorth. "I look forward to working with Bob again as we build RidgeWorth's first dedicated retail sales team. Our strong investment solutions, marketed by Bob and his group, will enable RidgeWorth to deepen relationships in one of the industry's most important distribution channels."
Eze Adds Senior Service, Technology Directors
Eze Castle Integration, a provider of IT services, technology and consulting to investment management firms, has hired Michael Hartig as regional service director for the West coast, and Zachary Lehman as technology director for the West coast. Both are rejoining Eze Capital, previously served as hedge fund senior technology officers and bring extensive technology and client service expertise to the firm.
Hartig has more than 16 years of technology and management experience, most recently as the chief technology officer at Seasons Capital Management. Before Hartig's four years at Seasons Capital, he was service director of Eze Capital's San Francisco office.
Lehman, who has worked in the industry for 13 years, was previously with alternative investment shop Varde Partners as director of technology. Before that, Lehman was the service director for Eze Capital's Minnesota operations.
"Eze Capital Integration is committed to providing our clients with outstanding IT services and access to the industry's best and brightest technology professionals," said Vinoud Paul, managing director of Eze Castle. "Mike and Zach bring impressive backgrounds and a wealth of technical and hedge fund-specific expertise. Their proven track records will make them major assets to our clients and further enhance our West Coast operations."
David Joins BrightScope Advisory Board
Scott David has joined BrightScope's advisory board and will continue to serve as an adviser to the company, a rater of retirement plans.
David was president of workplace investing at Fidelity Investments up until 2010. Prior to joining Fidelity in 2003, he was president of U.S. retirement services at Scudder Investments.
"Scott David's extraordinarily successful career has made him one of the most respected names in financial services today," said Mike Alfred, CEO and co-founder of BrightScope. "His addition to BrightScope's advisory board will open new doors and help the company further extend its leadership position within the industry. In addition, he shares our vision for BrightScope's future."
