Ameritas Announces Officer Elections
 

Lincoln, Neb.//May 30, 2012//JoAnn M. Martin, CPA, FLMI, Ameritas chair, president and chief executive officer, announces the addition of three new officers and two officer promotions.

Sara Andres recently joined Ameritas Investment Corp. as senior vice president, chief compliance and risk management officer. Andres’ responsibilities include oversight of compliance, due diligence, suitability and assurance, financial and commission areas, planning and best practices.

Andres brings 15 years of experience in compliance, regulatory and management. She previously supervised all compliance functions for another investment company, including audits and exams, surveillance, communications review, and licensing and registration.

A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), Andres earned a B.S. degree in agricultural economics and holds seven FINRA securities licenses. She is a Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional (CRCP) and completed FINRA’s three-year program at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Bob Jurgensmeier, FSA, MAAA, recently joined Ameritas as senior vice president, chief actuary –individual division for Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. of New York, Acacia Life Insurance Company and The Union Central Life Insurance Company. He is responsible for creating and leading strategic initiatives for the individual life insurance and annuity product life cycle, as well as leading product development and product management.

Jurgensmeier brings extensive actuarial experience to the company. He previously served as senior vice president and actuary for another insurance company where he led the product development and in-force management of the universal life product line.

A graduate of UNL, Jurgensmeier holds a B.S. degree in business administration.

Paula Hodges, FSA, FLMI, recently joined Ameritas as second vice president and associate actuary for Ameritas Life, Ameritas Life of New York, Acacia Life and Union Central Life. She is responsible for managing the data needs of corporate actuarial and enhancing efficiencies and auditable processes for the valuation area.

Hodges originally started her career with Ameritas in 1985. Since 1998, she worked for another insurance company in product development.

She earned a B.S. degree in math and computer science from UNL. Professional designations include PMP (Project Management Professional) and CSSBB (Certified Six Sigma Black Belt).

Hodges serves as vice chair of the product development section for the Society of Actuaries and is a member of the United Way allocation committee and a TeamMates mentor.

Scott Corbett, FALU, FLMI, was elected second vice president and assistant chief underwriter – Ameritas Life, Ameritas Life of New York, Acacia Life and Union Central Life, effective May 1. Corbett is primarily responsible for assisting with risk assessment and all functions related to mortality, as well as establishing policies, underwriting guidelines and procedures within the department.

He joined Union Central in 2004 and has held various positions, including senior underwriter, director of life underwriting and underwriting officer.

Corbett graduated from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, with a B.B.A. degree in finance and management. He earned his MBA degree from Belmont University, Nashville, Tenn.

Corbett is the former president and board member of Ohio Home Office of Life & Health Underwriters Association, a committee member of Academy of Life Underwriting and a member of North American Underwriting Study Group.

Brad O’Dell was elected second vice president – information technology for Ameritas Life, Ameritas Life of New York, Acacia Life and Union Central Life as of May 1. In this position, he directs the development, delivery and support of technologies. He is also responsible for vendor management and strategic planning support.

O’Dell joined Ameritas in 2001 and has held the positions of director of corporate business systems, assistant vice president of strategic initiatives and assistant vice president of e-business.

He earned his B.S. degree in industrial engineering from UNL and his MBA degree from the University of Nebraska–Omaha.

In the community, O’Dell serves as a board member for the Nebraska Safety Council and is a fund distribution team leader for United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County.

Michael Weckenbrock, JD, CLU, ChFC, was elected second vice president – corporate compliance for Ameritas Life, Ameritas Life of New York and Ameritas Investment Corp., effective July 1.

Weckenbrock started with the company in 2007 as a part-time law clerk, and a year later was promoted to full-time attorney. His most recent position was assistant counsel.

He graduated from Centre College, Danville, Ky., with a bachelor’s degree in economics and government and also studied in Strasbourg, France. He earned his juris doctorate from Salmon P. Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, Ky.

Weckenbrock is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA).

Paul Zimmerman, FALU, FLMI, was elected second vice president – chief DI (disability income insurance) underwriter – Ameritas Life, Ameritas Life of New York and Union Central Life, effective May 1. His responsibilities include developing underwriting policies, procedures and guidelines with respect to the individual disability income insurance product line and associated morbidity risks.

Zimmerman joined Union Central Life in 1997 and worked in underwriting for six years, and returned to the company in 2008. He has served in underwriting positions, working with life insurance and primarily disability income insurance products.

He graduated from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., with a B.A. degree in economics and an emphasis in accounting.