Florida-based Mergens to lead eastern region executive life insurance sales. Massachusetts Mutual has hired James Mergens as head of sales for executive-group life-insurance in its eastern U.S. region. The appointment supports MassMutual's "efforts to help employers attract and retain key professionals by making the benefits of executive group life insurance more widely accessible," according to the company.

Based in Tampa, Fla., Mergens reports to John Laprade, head of MassMutual's executive-group life-insurance sales.

"James is an experienced, hands-on sales executive whose expertise will enhance the ability of financial professionals to introduce Executive Group Life insurance to clients who can benefit from its unique features," says Laprade.

He will work with brokers, investment consultants and sponsors to promote MassMutual life-insurance products aimed at corporate executives and professional-practice leaders.

Mergens used to work at Aon. Before that, he ran Certified Estate Advisors, his own financial and estate planning firm.

Springfield, Mass.-based MassMutual is a mutually owned financial protection, accumulation and income management company. --FWR

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