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.
Canadian stocks are on a roll in 2025 as the country prepares to name a new Prime Minister.
Two C-level leaders reveal the new time-saving tools they've implemented and what advisors are doing with their newly freed-up hours.
The RIA led by Merrill Lynch veteran John Thiel is helping its advisors take part in the growing trend toward fee-based annuities.
Driven by robust transaction activity amid market turbulence and increased focus on billion-dollar plus targets, Echelon Partners expects another all-time high in 2025.
The looming threat of federal funding cuts to state and local governments has lawmakers weighing a levy that was phased out in 1981.
RIAs face rising regulatory pressure in 2025. Forward-looking firms are responding with embedded technology, not more paperwork.
As inheritances are set to reshape client portfolios and next-gen heirs demand digital-first experiences, firms are retooling their wealth tech stacks and succession models in real time.
