Who's making the news in employee benefits? (Photo: Shutterstock)

A whirlwind of benefits industry mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, new hires and promotions is sweeping across the U.S. Here are a few newsmakers:

Global advisory Willis Towers Watson announced the hires of John McQuade and Deborah Tully as senior members of the company's Government Contractor Industry Group. They specialize in Cost Accounting Standards and Federal Acquisition Regulation compliance, negotiating advance agreements with government agencies, providing assistance in resolving disputes with the government, and more.

The Asset Management Exchange (AMX), launched last year by Willis Towers Watson announced the appointment of Kimberley West as U.S. head. In this newly created position, West will have overall responsibility for leading the expansion of the exchange in the U.S. Based in New York, West will report directly to Oliver Jaegemann, global head of AMX.

WEX Health has selected dailyVest, a financial services software company with expertise in  investment performance reporting, to further enhance the investment capabilities and user experience for WEX Health consumers utilizing the health savings account (HSA) investment tools.

Insurance industry executive Darrin J. Weber announced the formation of Dallas-based Weber Group Advisors. Previously operating as RiskPro Partners, the re-branded company is a privately held commercial brokerage firm specializing in surety bonding, risk management, commercial insurance and employee benefits. While the company name is new, Weber's strong team of professionals remains the same, boasting over 130 years of combined industry experience. Weber will run the company as President and CEO.

Unum announced a definitive agreement to acquire Pramerica ycie TUiR SA (“Pramerica ycie”), a financial protection provider in Poland, from a subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc. (“PFI”). Unum provides employee benefits products and services, as well as group and individual disability income protection insurance. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

Snagajob announced John Frederick has joined the company as its new Chief Administrative Officer. Frederick will further the company's commitment to improve the lives of hourly workers and employers.

Workforce engagement and management technology provider ShiftPixy announced the appointment of Patrice H. Launay as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Launay comes to ShiftPixy with an extensive accounting background, having served as an audit manager for various large regional and multinational accounting firms.

Insurance industry veteran Lowell Richard is joining Sapoznik Insurance as the company's benefits consultant. Creating this new role will allow Sapoznik to enhance current programs, develop new initiatives and continue to be a leader in servicing clients.

National insurance brokerage and risk management firm Risk Strategies Company announced the acquisition of Benefits Network Insurance Agency (BNIA), a specialist brokerage focused on the development of employee benefits plans. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. BNIA was founded in 1989 by Phil DiCiero as a wholesale broker providing services to the small group business of Blue Cross Blue Shield's independent agents. In addition to BNIA, Risk Strategies recently acquired three brokerages with benefits specialty focuses, specifically: Mosse & Mosse, located north of Boston; Tikia Consulting, just outside New Orleans; and TSG Financial on Long Island, New York.

OneAmerica announced leadership changes and major investment plans: Jeff Holley, executive vice president, Finance, Operations and Institutional Markets will take the helm as acting leader of the company's Retirement Services record-keeping business and Dennis Martin, senior vice president, was appointed acting leader of its Individual Life and Financial Services lines of business. More key leadership changes include the creation of a new leadership role, head of Enterprise Operations, reporting to Jeff Holley. The company also is continuing its significant investment in technology.

The National Tax-Deferred Savings Association (NTSA) has named the winners of the NTSA Elite Advisor Award. The 2018 NTSA Elite Advisors are as follows:

• Shane Hall, RFC, Shane Hall Financial, Amarillo, TX; Broker-Dealer: PlanMember Services
• Kent Schutte, CFP, ChFC, CLU, TGPC, EFS Advisors, Cambridge, MN; Broker-Dealer: Advanced Advisor Group (AAG)
• Christina Winters Gears, AIF, Creating and Managing Wealth, LLC, Irving, TX; Broker-Dealer: Lincoln Investment

Established in 2014, the NTSA Elite Advisor Award recognizes the contributions of advisors who have advanced best practice standards in the 403(b) and/or 457 retirement industry, and in so doing, have improved the ability of American workers to build a successful retirement.

MetLife has named Executive Vice President James Reid as head of its Global Employee Benefits (GEB) business. Reid is responsible for accelerating GEB's growth by partnering with MetLife's regional offices and expanding relationships with top financial institutions and global employee benefit brokers and consultants. Reid will also lead select critical growth initiatives for the company.