Symetra Financial Corporation (NYSE: SYA) today announced the appointment of Mark E. Hunt as executive vice president and chief investment officer, effective Jan. 1, 2015. In this new role, Hunt, 54, will direct the company's investment policy and strategy, and oversee Symetra’s approximately $30 billion investment portfolio. He reports to Tom Marra, president and CEO of Symetra Financial Corporation.

Mark E. Hunt has been named executive vice president and chief investment officer of Symetra Financi ...

Mark E. Hunt has been named executive vice president and chief investment officer of Symetra Financial Corporation. (Photo: Business Wire)

Hunt joins Symetra from White Mountains Advisors LLC, a financial investment advisory firm headquartered in Guilford, Connecticut, where he was managing director. He joined White Mountains in 2004 and was responsible for all life company portfolios and alternative investments for all clients, including Symetra. Prior to White Mountains Advisors, Hunt headed portfolio risk management and alternative investments at Hartford Life. His more than three decades of experience in the insurance industry also includes actuarial and investment management roles at State Mutual Life and Connecticut Mutual.

“Mark is a highly accomplished investment professional who possesses an extensive background in asset management, risk management and life insurance. His long-standing relationship with Symetra and deep understanding of our business will be invaluable in this new role,” said Marra. “Mark’s broad insurance industry expertise will be a significant benefit to Symetra’s customers and shareholders.”

Hunt is the senior member of the 11–person team that supported the operations of Symetra’s investment portfolio management at White Mountains Advisors, which moves in-house to Symetra. The team includes Nicholas Mocciolo, 38, who joins Symetra as vice president, derivatives, trading and portfolio strategy. At White Mountains, Mocciolo led the derivatives sector and portfolio strategy on aspects of the general account. Prior to White Mountains Advisors, Mocciolo was senior vice president, senior portfolio manager, derivatives, at Hartford Investment Management Company.

Hunt graduated from the University of Chicago, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree, with honors, in Mathematics and Statistics. He holds a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries. Mocciolo holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mathematics from the University of Connecticut, as well as an M.S. in Operations Research from Columbia University. He is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and holds Financial Risk Manager (FRM) and Certificate in Quantitative Finance (CQF) designations.

Hunt, Mocciolo and the Symetra investment management team will remain based in Guilford, Connecticut.

About Symetra

Symetra Financial Corporation (NYSE: SYA) is a diversified financial services company based in Bellevue, Wash. In business since 1957, Symetra provides employee benefits, annuities and life insurance through a national network of benefits consultants, financial institutions and independent agents and advisors. For more information, visit www.symetra.com.