Pioneer Investments Adds to Retail Sales Team

Bill C. Taylor, senior vice president and head of Business Development and Investment Only and Retirement Group, said the new additions are part of an effort to strengthen the sales organization’s focus on the DCIO platform market and develop new business with large clients, according to a press release.

Christopher G. Laucks, CFP has been promoted to senior vice president, director of Sales, Investment Only and Retirement Group. Before accepting this position, Laucks served as vice president, director of Retirement and Annuity Markets. He will be responsible for national sales for the DCIO platform marketplace.

Laucks joined Pioneer in 2002 from Allmerica Financial, where he was vice president of Channel Management for Strategic Alliances. Previously, he also served as a branch manager at Raymond James Financial, and also held management positions at State Street Bank and Fidelity Investments. He has a B.A. and an M.B.A. from Boston College.

Kimberly Gannis has been named vice president, Business Development Officer in the Investment Only and Retirement Group. She joins Pioneer from American Century Investments, where she was vice president, National Accounts. Prior to American Century Investments, Gannis was managing director at PNC Bank with her primary focus on the middle market retirement business. She has a B.S. degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

Mary Powers has been named vice president, Business Development Officer for the Business Development Group, Advisory Channel. She joins Pioneer after 19 years with John Hancock, where she held numerous positions, most recently National Account Manager for John Hancock Financial Services. She graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Finance and received an M.B.A. from Northeastern University.

Jason C. Xanthakis has joined Pioneer as portfolio consultant in the Wealth Management team. He previously worked for Ameriprise Financial as a senior research analyst specializing in platform placement. Prior to Ameriprise, Xanthakis was a research analyst at Fidelity Employer Services Company analyzing mutual funds for 401(k) clients. He has a Bachelor’s in Economics from the University of Piraeus in Greece.

Kimberly Boucher has been promoted to key account manager in the Wealth Management Channel. She joined Pioneer in 2005 and was previously a regional sales specialist. Prior to joining Pioneer, she was a financial adviser and adviser coach at American Express Financial Advisors. She has a B.A. from Clark University.

Brandi Kinsman has been promoted to key account manager in the Business Development Group. She was previously a product manager covering retirement and annuity products. She joined Pioneer in 2005 after working as senior product marketing specialist, Annuities, at Sun Life Financial. Kinsman has a B.A. and M.B.A. from Boston College.

John Mueller has been promoted to national investment only and retirement sales specialist after having served as a regional sales specialist. His new position focuses on sales of investment products through the Investment Only and Retirement Group. Prior to joining Pioneer, Mueller was a regional marketing associate with Putnam Investments. He has a B.A. from Boston College.

“These new additions will help us to expand our efforts to provide investment solutions to larger clients, including broker/dealer wealth management platforms, independent financial advisory firms, defined contribution providers, banks, and insurance firms,” said Joseph Kringdon, executive vice president and head of U.S. Retail Distribution, in the announcement.