Executive Moves

Pioneer U.S. Sales Team Expands With Seven Hires

Pioneer Investments has made seven additions to its U.S. sales team to better serve and continue the sales momentum among "larger clients, including broker/dealer wealth management platforms, independent financial advisory firms, defined contribution providers, banks, insurance firms" and defined contribution-investment only platforms, said Joseph Kringdon, executive vice president and head of U.S. retail distribution.

The additions include the promotion of Christopher G. Laucks from VP to senior vice president, director of sales, investment only and retirement group. The 20-year financial services veteran joined Pioneer in 2002 from Allmerica Financial, where he was vice president of channel management for strategic alliances. Previously, he was a branch manager at Raymond James Financial and held management positions at State Street Bank and Fidelity Investments.

Pioneer has also hired Kimberly Gannis as vice president, business development officer in the investment only and retirement group. She comes from American Century Investments, where she was vice president, national accounts. Before that, she was a managing director with PNC Bank.

Mary Powers, a 24-year-veteran of the financial services industry, is now vice president, business development officer in the business development group. She joins Pioneer after 19 years with John Hancock, where she held numerous positions, most recently as national account manager for John Hancock Financial Services.

Jason C. Xanthakis has joined Pioneer as a portfolio consultant in the wealth management team, hailing from Ameriprise Financial, where he was a senior research analyst specializing in platform placement. Prior to Ameriprise, he was a research analyst at Fidelity Employer Services Co., where he analyzed mutual fund choices for 401(k) clients.

Pioneer promoted Kimberly Boucher from regional sales specialist to key account manager in the wealth management channel. Prior to joining Pioneer in 2005, Boucher was a financial adviser and adviser coach at American Express Financial Advisors.

Brandi Kinsman has been promoted to key account manager in the business development group. She was previously a product manager covering retirement and annuity products. She also joined Pioneer in 2005, after working as a senior product marketing specialist at Sun Life Financial.

Finally, Pioneer promoted John Mueller to national investment only and retirement sales specialist from regional sales specialist. Before joining Pioneer, Mueller was a regional marketing associate at Putnam Investments.

Former Janus CEO Black Joins Grail Advisors Board

Grail Advisors, a provider of actively managed exchange-traded funds, has recruited Gary Black, the former chief executive officer of Janus, to serve as a director on its advisory board.

"Having an experienced executive like Gary Black join our team is a solid validation of the Grail Advisors business strategy," said William M. Thomas, chief executive officer of Grail Advisors. "We are changing the face of managed investments, and Gary's presence will help us build momentum."

Black joined Janus in 2004 as president and chief investment officer, becoming CEO two years later. Prior to Janus, he was chief investment officer of global equities and a partner with Goldman Sachs. Previously, he was executive vice president and global head of the institutional business for Alliance Bernstein. Black started his investment career as a senior research analyst in 1992 at Sanford C. Bernstein. He started a new money management firm in October, Black Capital Management, which will offer traditional long-only and absolute-return strategies to both retail and institutional investors.

 

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