Executive Moves

CheckFree Names Mrak VP of Product Management

Joseph Mrak III, a 10-year industry veteran specializing in technology, has joined CheckFree Investments as vice president of product management. Before co-founding Placemark Investments, a CheckFree client, in 1999 and serving as the firm's chief technology officer, Mrak worked for Ernst & Young.

In his new position, one of Mrak's key responsibilities will be to help keep costs low for CheckFree clients. "Joe brings extensive technology and product experience, as well as deep industry knowledge to his role at CheckFree," said CheckFree Executive Vice President and General Manager Alex Marasco.

Mrak specializes in SMAs and said he welcomes the chance to make "strategic contributions to the operational efficiencies of the separately managed accounts industry."

Collins Now EVP, CIO at Harbor Capital Advisors

Harbor Capital Advisors, investment advisor to the Harbor family of mutual funds, has named Brian L. Collins executive vice president and chief investment officer.

In his new role, Collins will be responsible for analyzing managers' investment performance and recommending new investment advisors. He comes to Harbor after a six-year stint at Mercer Investment Consulting, where, among other roles such as director, he chaired the firm's management review committee. In his new position, Collins will continue to work out of Chicago. Before Mercer, Collins worked as an associate at IPC Group. He has also worked for Harris Trust and Savings Bank.

Harbor Chairman and CEO David G. Van Hooser said Collins "will add to our historically strong capability" in the investment strategies and investment management areas.

Cox Joins Wilmington's Wealth Services Division

Ann Cox, who has vast experience in both financial services and law, has been named the vice president and private client advisor in the wealth advisory services group of Balentine & Co., the wealth-management leg of Wilmington Trust.

Wes French, executive vice president of Balentine, said Cox's "wealth of experience and a sterling reputation in the Atlanta business community" made her the perfect fit. "Her expertise in the areas of tax planning, banking and fiduciary services will make her a great resource for our clients," he added.

Cox has both an undergraduate accounting and law degree from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and serves on countless Atlanta-area boards, including the Junior League of Atlanta and the Atlanta History Center.

National Financial Taps Keith as Head of Sales

George H. Keith, a 23-year industry veteran who most recently served as a senior vice president and global managing director at AllianceBernstein, will take over at Fidelity Investments' outsourcing firm National Financial as the new head of the company's national sales force. Keith, whose official title will be executive vice president and national sales manager, will report to President Norman Malo and be responsible for sales out of the company's five offices in New York, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago and San Francisco. National Financial, which gives clearing and execution options to broker/dealers for Fidelity, represented companies with more than $333 billion worth of assets, as of the end of April.

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