MassMutual promotes pair to leadership team, says goodbye to US head

MassMutual announced Tuesday that long-serving executives Paul LaPiana and Dominic Blue are being elevated to the company’s executive leadership team, while Mike Fanning, head of MassMutual U.S., heads into retirement after 17 years with the financial services company. 

LaPiana and Blue will report to Roger Crandall, the company's chairman, president and CEO.

Effective June 1, LaPiana will serve as head of brand, product and affiliated distribution, assuming oversight of MassMutual’s core distribution channel, MassMutual Financial Advisors. LaPiana will also oversee the company’s portfolio of wealth management and protection products, as well as its marketing strategy.

LaPiana has served as head of product for MassMutual since 2019, having joined the firm in 2016 from MetLife.

Meanwhile, Blue was tapped to be the firm’s head of third-party distribution and new markets, leading an organization that includes the company’s third-party, worksite, direct-to-consumer and new markets efforts. Blue will also become CEO of MassMutual Ascend, while Mark Muething continues in his role as president of the annuity division.

Blue most recently served as head of third-party and direct-to-consumer for MassMutual. He joined the company as assistant general counsel in 2011.

“As we welcome Paul and Dominic to our Executive Leadership Team, we also express our deepest gratitude to Mike for his lasting contributions that have helped MassMutual become the industry leader that it is today,” Crandall said in the statement.

Under Fanning’s watch, MassMutual expanded its affiliated financial professional network, grew into one of the top annuity providers in the U.S., divested its retirement plan business and expanded its suite of protection and wealth management solutions.

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