(SPRINGFIELD, Mass.) — Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) announced today the hiring of two individuals for key annuity sales positions.

John Richter has been named head of key accounts and business development for the company's Annuities unit. Kevin Marino has been named key account relationship manager, reporting to Mr. Richter. Mr. Richter reports to Will Luckert, head of annuity sales operations for MassMutual.

Mr. Richter has more than 25 years of experience building relationships, growing distribution channels and developing key accounts within the financial services industry. He joins MassMutual from ING, where he served as national bank acquisition director for the last eight years. Prior to ING, Mr. Richter worked for the Independent Financial Marketing Group (IFMG) at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and INVEST at Zurich.

Mr. Marino joins MassMutual after spending the past 16 years at The Phoenix Companies, Inc., where he worked as a key account manager before most recently serving as a product manager for Phoenix Investment Partners, Ltd. As key account manager, he was responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with several firms, including Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. (formerly American Express Financial Advisors, Inc.), Commonwealth Financial Network, H.D. Vest Investment Services^SM, and Raymond James Financial.

"Collectively, John and Kevin bring decades of experience to MassMutual," said Richard LaVoice, head of annuity sales. "Together, they'll focus on building key account relationships and acquiring new accounts through broker-dealers and financial institutions."