Mary Bates Named SVP and COO, Individual Life at Symetra
March 22, 2017 by Symetra
March 22, 2017 — BELLEVUE, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Symetra Life Insurance Company today announced the promotions of two Individual Life executives as Mary E. Bates is named senior vice president, chief operations officer.
Also, Phil Bouvier assumes divisional sales leadership responsibilities as vice president, Sales and Marketing. Bates and Bouvier report to Symetra CEO Tom Marra and are based in the company’s Waltham, Massachusetts office.
Strengthened Leadership
“These promotions are an important step forward as we strengthen the leadership team for Individual Life, Symetra’s fastest-growing division,” said Symetra CEO Tom Marra. “Since joining us last May, Mary’s extensive industry expertise and clear focus have helped drive outstanding service to our business partners and policyholders. Going forward, her significant operational experience will be invaluable as we accelerate our automation capabilities and expand our Individual Life product portfolio.”
Phil Bouvier has been an integral part of the rapid growth and development of our Individual Life business. He has done a masterful job overseeing our sales organization, and his leadership, energy and passion for success will continue to drive sales results and push us closer to achieving our national player goals for the division.
Bates joined Symetra in May 2016 as vice president, underwriting research and development, Individual Life. Prior to Symetra, Bates was senior vice president of AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, where she served as its head of Life Underwriting. Previous roles include executive director of Life Risk Management at MassMutual and vice president and chief underwriter for ING, Security Connecticut Life Insurance Company. A member of the Association of Home Office Underwriters and the Risk Appraisal Forum, Ms. Bates holds a B.S. in business administration from Western New England University.
Bouvier joined Symetra in July 2011 as vice president, Life Insurance Sales, responsible for increasing sales of advanced planning individual life insurance products through new distribution outlets, including brokerage general agencies and independent life professionals. He previously served as national vice president, Individual Insurance Division at Sun Life Financial in Boston, and spent 15 years at John Hancock Life Insurance Company in a variety of sales and management positions. Bouvier graduated from St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.
About Symetra
Symetra Life Insurance Company is a subsidiary of Symetra Financial Corporation, a diversified financial services company based in Bellevue, Washington. In business since 1957, Symetra provides employee benefits, annuities and life insurance through a national network of benefit consultants, financial institutions, and independent agents and advisors. For more information, visit www.symetra.com.
