TEB expands sales team to support rapid growth

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Employee Benefits’ marketing unit of Transamerica Life Insurance Company announced today that it recently recorded the fastest rate of growth for any Top 10 voluntary benefits carrier.¹ In response to the increased demand for its supplemental health benefits and voluntary life insurance products, Transamerica is substantially expanding its sales team. TEB has five new regional vice presidents and area sales managers and expects to announce up to seven more new employees by the end of 2012.

“Industry trends coupled with the talent we’ve recruited and our investment in technology are a direct reflection of our success,” said Randy Clarkson, president of the Transamerica Employee Benefits’ marketing unit. “The appeal of voluntary benefits is significantly rising, particularly supplemental health, life and accident insurance products, as individuals look for ways to fill the gap when employer-sponsored benefits fall short.”

To help maintain the momentum, TEB has added a regional vice president and four area sales managers who will be responsible for the distribution of TEB products in their respective areas. They are:

• Blake Mitchell – Mitchell joins TEB as regional vice president with more than 10 years of insurance industry experience. He will oversee the growing sales base in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Memphis, Tenn.
• Chris Klonne – Klonne will be overseeing TEB’s Ohio market. He formerly served as an independent sales agent, representing clients such as Anthem, United Health Care, Medical Mutual and Prudential, netting $2.4 million in new business growth since 2000.
• William Neely – Representing TEB in Central Florida, Neely brings with him 17 years of insurance experience. He previously served as a worksite specialist at AIG Benefit Solutions where he was frequently awarded for his sales and managerial accomplishments.
• Deborah Neubert –Neubert, with 20 years of insurance experience, will manage TEB’s South Florida territory. She most recently served as worksite sales representative for Assurant Employee Benefits and held various management positions during her tenure at Allstate Benefits and Unum.
• Ronnie Spedale– With more than 19 years of experience in the insurance industry, Spedale will oversee the Louisiana marketplace. Prior to joining TEB, he spent most of his career at Pan-American Life and helped grow the company’s worksite division to $25 million to $29 million in annual revenue.

Mitchell, Neely, Neubert and Spedale will report to TEB’s Territory Vice President Barry Bell, while Klonne will report to Territory Vice President Jody Sevy.

“It’s an exciting time at TEB with the heightened industry focus on voluntary benefits,” said Brad Ridnour, senior vice president and national sales director for Transamerica Employee Benefits. “The collective knowledge and rich experience of our new hires will certainly broaden TEB’s reach in providing comprehensive benefits packages and ultimately greater assurance to a wider audience.”

About Transamerica Employee Benefits

Transamerica companies have been helping people create better futures for over a century. Transamerica Employee Benefits is a marketing unit of Transamerica Life Insurance Company (CedarRapids, IA) thatdesigns and markets voluntary group life and supplemental health insurance products. For more information, please visit www.transamericanemployeebenefits.com.

¹LIMRA. “Fourth Quarter Voluntary Product Sales Survey,” 2011.

Edelman
Jaren Anderson, 415-486-3217
jaren.anderson@edelman.com

Source: Transamerica Employee Benefits