Conning Adds Insurance Industry Veterans Ron Joelson and David Marks to Board of Directors

HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Conning Holdings Corp., a leading global provider of investment management services, risk and capital management solutions, and research to the insurance industry, today announced that Ron Joelson and David P. Marks have joined the company’s Board of Directors as Independent Directors. Both are respected industry veterans with successful careers that span more than 30 years.

“They are keenly aware of the significant challenges insurers face in the current economic environment, and have been a driving force behind aligning insurers’ risk and capital management practices with successful and innovative investment approaches. I look forward to working with both of them on the Board.”

Mr. Joelson, currently Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at Northwestern Mutual, brings to the Conning Board of Directors deep investment portfolio and risk management experience gained with international companies in the investment and insurance industries. Equally experienced, Mr. Marks, C.F.A. -- at present an Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer for CUNA Mutual Group -- has held multiple Chief Investment Officer and senior investment positions with leading global insurers and also boutique investment firms responsible for enhancing their investment operations and managing sizeable, multi-billion dollar portfolios.

“Ron and David both bring impressive strengths to Conning, including their solid track records and extensive experience in shaping and implementing effective policies and investment strategies to benefit the performance of insurance companies,” said Woody Bradford, Chief Executive Officer of Conning. ”We are very pleased to have their support in our efforts to position Conning as an innovative, growing global organization that sets the highest standards within the asset management industry.”

“David and Ron are well respected in the global investment and insurance community for their ability to understand and respond to the needs of a changing industry,” says Jeff Greenberg, Chairman of Conning and Chief Executive of Aquiline Capital Partners. “They are keenly aware of the significant challenges insurers face in the current economic environment, and have been a driving force behind aligning insurers’ risk and capital management practices with successful and innovative investment approaches. I look forward to working with both of them on the Board.”

Mr. Joelson, as Chief Investment Officer of Northwestern Mutual, manages the strategic direction for the firm’s $174 billion portfolio and its three main investment subsidiaries. His prior experience includes a similar role at life insurer Genworth Financial, where his major accomplishments included de-risking and strengthening the firm’s $75 billion portfolio. Mr. Joelson spent the majority of his career at Prudential Financial. During his 23-year career at Prudential, he held a variety of roles culminating as Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer managing a $230 billion general account, with oversight for international portfolio management and risk management. Joelson graduated in 1980 from Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., with a bachelor's degree in economics and government. He received his M.B.A. from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business in 1983.

Mr. Marks, in his role as Chief Investment Officer for insurance and financial services firms including CUNA MutualGroup (since 2005), Travelers Insurance/Citi Group, CIGNA Investments and Allianz Investments, has made significant contributions to implementing and strengthening firms’ risk management processes, performance benchmarks and operating procedures, as well as brought innovative investment approaches to the construction of $25 - $55 billion investment portfolios. This extends to the formation of Allianz’ US Investment Company he built in the 1990’s, as well as managing CIGNA Investments’ $40 billion portfolio as Managing Director and Head of Fixed Income and Asset Management. Mr. Marks received his M.B.A., Finance, from the University of Connecticut, CT in 1971, after graduating from the same university with a bachelor's degree in Chemistry and Physics in 1969.

About Conning

Conning (www.conning.com) is a leading investment management company for the global insurance industry, with more than $91 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2012 through its global investment centers, Conning, Inc., Conning Asset Management Limited, Cathay Conning Asset Management, and Goodwin Capital Advisers. The company's unique combination of asset management, risk and capital management solutions and insurance research helps clients achieve their financial goals through customized business and investment strategies. Founded in 1912, Conning is focused on the future, providing clients with innovative solutions, leveraging its global capabilities, investment experience, and proprietary research. The company is headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, with additional offices in Purchase, London, Cologne, and Hong Kong.