Retirement Industry People Moves

Art by Subin Yang

Voya Financial Announces New Hire for Large Corporate Market Business

Voya Financial has hired Gabriel Hayes as an account executive for the company’s Large Corporate Market business. 

In this new position, Hayes is responsible for generating new business and building key distribution relationships in the Southwestern U.S., including in Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. He will be working through all channels within the corporate 401(k) market that serve employers with plans from $75 million up to $1 billion in assets.

“I am extremely excited to join the team at Voya as their operating philosophy and vision is an extension of my own,” Hayes says. “The foundation of my operating philosophy is that communication is key, team building is critical, simple is smart and execution drives revenue. I believe that Voya’s client-centric process that features thought leadership and a partnership perspective is a differentiated strategy of client acquisition and service delivery.” 

Hayes specializes in business development in the large plan market. He comes to Voya with more than 25 years of sales, sales management and organizational leadership experience in the financial services industry, spending much of his career supporting plan sponsors in providing retirement benefits to their employees. Most recently, he held the position of president and CEO at Morningside Asset Management (Pnuema Capital), where he was responsible for developing the sales and distribution strategy, brand management and day-to-day operations of the firm.

“Gabe’s vast sales experience, including strong business acumen and solid reputation of being a team player, make him natural fit for our team,” adds Steve Keating, senior vice president of sales for Voya’s Large Corporate Market. “We are excited for Gabe to join the Large Corporate Markets team at Voya as we work together to achieve our goals of creating a secure financial future for all.”  

Hayes received his bachelor’s degree in finance from Louisiana Tech University, as well as a master’s degree in business administration from Texas Southern University’s Jesse H. Jones School of Business. He started at Voya on May 17 and reports directly to Keating.

Ascensus Appoints New Regional VP

Ascensus has appointed Frank Castellvi as a regional vice president on the company’s retirement plan sales team.

Tasked with building and maintaining Ascensus’ retirement plan distribution networks, Castellvi will work with financial advisers, third-party administrators (TPAs) and financial institutions—including institutional and defined contribution investment only (DCIO) partners. He will report to Anthony Bologna, retirement sales divisional vice president of the eastern region.

Castellvi will serve the East territory (covering New Jersey and Delaware) and brings more than 10 years of sales and relationship management experience to his role. Prior to joining Ascensus, he worked as a regional director for defined contribution (DC) at Lord Abbett & Co., where he also held roles in business development and internal sales. Castellvi earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Loyola University Maryland. He also holds his FINRA Series 7 designation along his NASAA Series 66 certification.

“Frank is a high-quality individual who possesses solid industry experience and expertise along with outstanding business-development and people skills,” says Jason Crane, Ascensus’ head of retirement distribution. “Adding this level of talent to Ascensus’ retirement plan sales team further demonstrates our commitment to serving our financial adviser and employer partners via productive relationships that focus on their unique needs.”