Rhonda Farmer to Lead AmeriLife Operations Transformation: Personnel Moves

AmeriLife Group LLC has hired Rhonda Fenner to be senior vice president, operations transformation. AmeriLife is a Clearwater, Florida-based insurance distributor that has grown rapidly through acquisitions. Fenner previously was senior vice president, financial operations and human resources, at CURevl, a credit union service organization. Earlier, she held operations leadership roles with Thrivent Financial and TIAA. Fenner has a bachelor's degree in business from Southwest Minnesota State University. In other personnel moves news: The National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies has hired Kelly Maheu to be senior director, communications and professional development, and to be executive director of the Fairfax, Virginia-based group's charitable foundation. Maheu was working for Naylor Association Solutions. Earlier, she was a vice president at ALM Media, which is the owner of ThinkAdvisor. Maheu has a bachelor's degree from Miami University of Ohio and a law degree from the University of Cincinnati. The Standard has hired Paul Garofoli to be a regional sales director of individual annuities. Garofoli will be based in Texas, and he will work with independent distributors and advisors across the country, according to The Standard. He previously was vice president, national accounts, at National Western Life. Garofoli has a bachelor's degree in political science and economics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Ameritas has hired three executives and announced six promotions. The Lincoln, Nebraska-based insurer has hired Teresa Applegate to be vice president, procurement. She previously was a program manager at KPMG US. She has a bachelor's degree from Iona College and a master's degree in business from Jacksonville University. She holds the Certified Purchasing Management professional certification. Ameritas also has hired Shelia Reed to be vice president, business engagement and strategy for the retirement plans division, and Steve Stahly to be vice president, tax. Reed previously was chief experience officer at CX Vantage. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Memphis. She is the chapter co-chair for the Women in Pension Network and the chapter co-chair for the 50/50 Women on Boards. Stahly previously was a tax consultant at Aviva USA. Earlier, he was a vice president, taxation, at FBL Financial Group. He has a bachelor's degree in business from Iowa State University. He holds the Certified Public Accounting certification. Ameritas announced the following promotions: Anthony Spurlock, to vice president, investments – commercial mortgage loans for Ameritas Investment Partners Inc., from second vice president, investments – commercial mortgage loans. Richard Berthold, to second vice president, customer service for Ameritas Investment Company LLC and Ameritas Advisory Services LLC., from director, customer service. John J. Kasparek, to second vice president, facilities, from director, corporate facilities. Julie K. Zehr, to second vice president, underwriting for the group division, from director, underwriting. Coventry — a Fort Washington, Pennsylvania-based life settlements firm — has promoted Gary Kuchera to chief origination officer, from senior vice president, finance. Kuchera has a bachelor's degree from the Catholic University of America and a master's degree in business from Villanova University. Humana Inc. has hired Carolyn Tandy to be senior vice president and chief inclusion and diversity officer. Tandy was director of diversity and inclusion at Texas Roadhouse. She also has been director of the district office for Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky,, and director of African American outreach for the Democratic National Committee. She has a bachelor's degree from Gordon College and a master's degree in management and leadership from Webster University. She holds the Cornell Certified Diversity Professional designation. Renaissance Life & Health Insurance Company of America — an Indianapolis-based insurer that writes dental, vision, life and disability coverage — has hired Earl Shaw to be chief information officer. Shaw previously was vice president of information technology operations at Protective Life Corp. He has a bachelor's degree in computer information systems and marketing from Indiana University. The District of Columbia Health Benefit Exchange Authority says Debbie Curtis, the senior deputy director for policy and exchange programs, is leaving to take another job. The agency, which runs the DC Health Link public exchange program, has also announced the following promotions: Purvee Parekh Kempf, to deputy executive director, from general counsel and chief policy advisor. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a law degree from the University of Michigan. Eliza Navarro Bangit, to general counsel, from director of marketplace innovation, policy and operations. She has a bachelor's degree, and a master's degree in aging studies, from Notre Dame of Maryland University and a law degree from the University of the District of Columbia. Jennifer Beeson, to interim director of marketplace innovation, policy and operations, from director of strategic operations. She has a bachelor's degree from Indiana University and a master's degree in public policy from The George Washington University. (Image: metamorworks/Shutterstock.com)