Securian Financial and EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants have announced executive appointments aimed at enhancing capabilities in investment management and the energy insurance sector, respectively.
Securian Financial has named John Heshelman (pictured above) as its new vice president and chief investment officer (CIO).
In his new role, Heshelman will oversee investment strategy and policy for portfolios managed by Securian Asset Management, the company’s asset management arm. He will report to Suzette Huovinen, senior vice president for Institutional Retirement Solutions and president of Securian Asset Management.
Heshelman’s responsibilities include managing the company’s general account and separate accounts linked to variable life insurance and annuity products. He will also provide market and portfolio insights to the company’s leadership team and board.
He joined the firm in 2021 as head of private credit and has since led the growth and management of a multibillion-dollar portfolio for both Securian and third-party clients. Prior to joining Securian, Heshelman held investment roles with the State of Wisconsin Investment Board and PPM America.
According to Huovinen, Heshelman’s investment expertise and familiarity with Securian’s portfolio make him well-suited to lead the company’s investment function.
EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants has brought on James R. Pierce as a senior adviser to support the growth of its Natural Resources practice.
Pierce brings decades of leadership experience in the energy and risk advisory sectors, having built and managed businesses focused on insurance solutions for energy clients. He most recently served as chairman of Marsh Global Energy and Power. Prior to that, he was chairman of JLT USA and a member of the executive committee of JLT Group in the UK.
In his new role, Pierce will help shape EPIC’s strategy in the energy sector, contribute to talent recruitment efforts, and support the development of risk advisory solutions for clients across the industry. His appointment is part of EPIC’s broader effort to strengthen its capabilities and market position within the energy space.
Philip V. Moyles Jr., co-president of EPIC, said Pierce’s track record in the energy insurance market will help reinforce the firm’s ambitions in the sector.
