Deals & People

HighTower, a national financial services company serving high-net-worth and institutional clients, announced that Masterson, Emma & Associates will be joining the practice.

The Charles Schwab Corporation has agreed to acquire optionsXpress Holdings, Inc., an online retail brokerage firm.

Transamerica Retirement Services has named Corey Pride as regional vice president for the company’s Southern Region.

Mary Mitchell returned to Buck Consultants' Pittsburgh office as a principal in its retirement practice. 

The adjustments are in line with The Hartford's newest strategies: increasing its share of government and tax-exempt retirement plans and enhancing participant education.

DWS Investments, the U.S. retail unit of Deutsche Bank’s Asset Management division, appointed Tiffani Potesta as a Director and Senior National Account Manager. 

State Street Global Advisors (SSgA) has made an agreement with Celfin Capital in which Celfin will promote SSgA’s SPDR exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

State Street Global Advisors, the investment management business of State Street Corporation, appointed Olivia Engel as head of Active Australian Equities.

U.S. Capital Advisors (USCA) has hired Lea Conner as a corporate retirement and benefits plan consultant.

PLANSPONSOR  today proudly announces the 2011 winners of its annual Plan Sponsor of the Year awards across five distinct workplace segments:  

Crowell & Moring LLP has made Seth T. Perretta a partner for the firm's Corporate, Labor & Employment, and Health Care groups in the Washington, D.C. office.

Ascensus named Peter Perdomo to Regional Vice President (RVP) of the South Central territory.

National law firm Alston & Bird LLP announced that Jonathan Rose has joined the firm as a partner in its Washington, D.C. office.

Russell Investments hired Richard Davies as managing director, defined contribution (DC).

Steven Moen joins UBS in the newly created position of Executive Director of Defined Contribution and Retirement Solutions Group.

Benefit Advisors Network (BAN) has accepted three new agencies into its national network of employee benefit brokerage and consulting firms.

The Securian Financial Group named four executive officer promotions.

Todd Lacey, founder of advisory firm The (k)larity Group, has taken a job with Transamerica Retirement Services and is selling his practice.

National Investment Managers, a retirement plan administration and investment management company, has agreed to be acquired by an entity owned and controlled by Stonehenge Opportunity Fund III.

Lincoln Financial Group appointed Michael Conte as Vice President, Small Market Business Leader for the company's Defined Contribution Products team.