Axa executive replaces LPL honcho as chairman of the Insured Retirement Institute

The Insured Retirement Institute today chose James A. Shepherdson, executive vice president of Axa Equitable, as the group’s chairman. The variable-annuity trade association formerly known as NAVA Inc. today announced his new title at its 2009 annual conference in Boston. He will replace Mark Casady, chairman and chief executive of LPL Financial Services. Mr. Casady will remain on the institute’s board until he finishes his three-year tenure next year. The institute has also added Terry Mullen, president of Sun Life Financial Distributors, to its board. He will serve three years in the post. Michael Gilotti, who leads business development at General Re-New England Asset Management Inc., and George Riedel, vice president at T. Rowe Price Group Inc., are both leaving the institute’s board.