Symetra Hires Three Regional Sales Leaders

Symetra says the new hires are expected to help drive group life and disability income insurance sales through benefit consultants, brokers and third-party administrators. All three will hold the title of vice president, regional sales director-Group Life and Disability Income.  

The new regional sales directors will be responsible for recruiting, hiring and managing the performance of sales representatives in assigned territories across the country. They will also be charged with developing sales goals and strategies to effectively market group life and disability income insurance products to Symetra’s network of benefit consultants, brokers and third-party administrators. 

“Since announcing our group life expansion plans in January, we’ve made terrific progress in building out our leadership team with strong product, underwriting and sales talent,” said Michael Fry, executive vice president of Symetra’s Group Division, in a press release. “The hiring of these new sales leaders further demonstrates our intent to build a thriving group life and disability income business that leverages our existing broker relationships and broadens our employee benefits product suite.” 

Koettker will be based in Dallas and lead sales efforts in Symetra’s Western region, which encompasses 18 Western and West Central states. He comes to the company from Mutual of Omaha, where he was responsible for life, long- and short-term disability income and dental insurance sales through the employee benefits broker channel. Koettker previously held group sales positions at Guardian Life Insurance Company, UNUM and American Sterling Insurance Services, a brokerage firm. He earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri. 

Andrew McMillan will be based in the Atlanta area, and head up sales for Symetra’s Eastern region, which stretches from Florida to Illinois. He most recently served as vice president of Sales at Principal Financial Group, where he led teams selling group insurance products through benefit brokers and consultants. He previously served as a senior sales executive at Aetna Life Insurance and a sales consultant at UNUM. McMillan graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, with a degree in business, and received a master of theology degree at Dallas Theological Seminary.  

Mezei is based in Fairfield, Connecticut, and will be responsible for Symetra’s group life and disability income sales in 14 Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. He comes to Symetra with more than five years of experience at The Hartford, where he most recently acted as regional sales manager for the company’s group life and disability income business serving New York City and the surrounding area. Prior to The Hartford, Mezei held a variety of sales, underwriting and claims roles at Aetna. He is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in biology.  

-Sara Kelly