Advantus Veteran Investment Professionals Move Into Leadership Roles

ST. PAUL, Minn., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- One retirement has led to new assignments for several investment professionals at Advantus Capital Management. Because of the company's collaborative and integrated investing culture, all are familiar with their new positions.

Long-time corporate bond analyst Erica Bergsland, CFA, is promoted to director of research and trading. Bergsland entered the investment industry in 1983 and joined Advantus in 1993. She has risen steadily through Advantus' ranks, starting as an investment officer and achieving her current rank as vice president.

"Many of our clients already know Erica and know that she has great passion for her work," said David Kuplic, executive vice president, Advantus. "She is a highly qualified and experienced investment professional with broad experience in the structured and corporate sectors."

In her new role, Bergsland will oversee the 11-person fixed income and structured finance analyst team, as well as the trading group.

"I believe an analyst's fundamental job is to frame risks well," said Bergsland. "I envision expanded use of new technologies to give our analysts even more tools to help them glean meaning out of today's vast information sources."

Bergsland's new position consolidates investment research under one leader. Previously, Sean O'Connell, CFA, oversaw real estate and structured finance research and John Leiviska, CFA, oversaw corporate bond research. They, along with Craig Stapleton, CFA, are now portfolio managers for the Minnesota Life Insurance Company general account. They join Drew Smith, CFA, CAIA, portfolio manager-Alternatives, in succeeding Lynne Mills, CFA, who has been the general account's senior portfolio manager since 1999. Mills is retiring in March.

Advantus Capital Management specializes in general account management, fixed income, real estate securities and index equity portfolios for institutional clients, including insurance companies, retirement plans and mutual fund companies, as well as public and corporate pension plans, Taft-Hartley plans, foundations and endowments. Advantus is an affiliate of Securian Financial Group, which has provided financial security for individuals and businesses since 1880.

SOURCE Advantus Capital Management