ING U.S. Appoints Key Executive In Wake Of IPO

By Cyril Tuohy

InsuranceNewsNet

Dave Wilken has been appointed head of individual life distribution for the Insurance Solutions division of ING U.S.

Wilken will oversee individual life sales distribution channels with a focus on growth in the accumulation and indexed market segments, the company said. His appointment comes at a critical time for ING U.S., which was spun off May 1 through an initial public offering.

“Dave has played a key role in growing our distribution partnerships and visibility in the marketplace as an insurance leader,” ING U.S. chief executive officer Butch Britten said in a news release. “As an example of our company’s talented bench strength, I am confident Dave will continue to help us deliver the products and services our partners have come to expect from us while uncovering new and innovative ways for us to serve our diverse customers.”

Wilken, who takes his new post on June 1, worked at ING U.S. in roles of increasing responsibility within the company’s retail life insurance business over the last 27 years.  Most recently he served as senior vice president of the independent life sales channel.

He succeeds Dan Mulheran as head of the individual life distribution team, the company also said. 

Mulheran, who retires on July 1, was instrumental in the growth of the ING U.S. life insurance business during his 11-year tenure, leading the expansion of distribution relationships into new areas such as multicultural and specialty markets, the company said.

In 2010, ING North America ranked No. 9 on the list of largest life insurers by total assets and No. 14 on the list of largest life insurers measured by total direct life insurance premiums, according to data supplied by the American Council of Life Insurers.

“Dan’s insight and leadership will be greatly missed, but he has assembled a strong team and a solid foundation for our company to build upon as it executes its strategy to support Americans with their retirement readiness and financial protection needs,” Britton said.

Wilken holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Minnesota and a master’s in business administration from the University of St. Thomas.

Cyril Tuohy is a writer based in Pennsylvania. He has covered the financial services industry for more than 15 years. He can be reached at Cyril.Tuohy@innfeedback.com.

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Cyril Tuohy is a writer based in Pennsylvania. He has covered the financial services industry for more than 15 years. He can be reached at cyril.tuohy@innfeedback.com.