Obama Taps The Hartford's Wolin for Key Economic Policy Post

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. today announced that Neal Wolin, president and chief operating officer of the company's Property and Casualty Operations, has accepted a position in the White House as Deputy Counsel to the President for Economic Policy and Deputy Assistant to the President.

Wolin joined The Hartford in 2001 as executive vice president and general counsel. He was promoted to president and chief operating officer of the company's Property and Casualty Operations in June 2007. Prior to joining The Hartford, he served in several positions in the U.S. Government, including General Counsel of the Department of the Treasury, Executive Assistant to the National Security Advisor and as Deputy Legal Adviser to the National Security Council. Wolin earned his J.D. from Yale Law School, his M.Sc. in Development Economics from the University of Oxford and his bachelor's degree from Yale University.

In conjunction with this announcement, The Hartford named two of its senior property and casualty executives, Juan Andrade and Jonathan Bennett, as interim co-leads of the Property and Casualty Operations. Andrade and Bennett will report to The Hartford's president and chief operating officer Tom Marra. A search for Wolin's successor is underway.

"Given the importance of the issues facing the country, there is no greater honor than being called to serve. I am looking forward to being part of the President's team of advisors in this most challenging period," said Wolin.

"President Obama is building an outstanding economic team to address the many complex challenges facing the nation and our financial system," said Ramani Ayer, chairman and chief executive officer. "We recognize the unique call to service this presents for Neal and wish him all the best in his return to Washington."

Andrade is currently executive vice president of sales and distribution for Property and Casualty. He joined The Hartford in 2006 when he assumed leadership of the P/C claims organization. Prior to joining The Hartford, Andrade held several leadership positions with The Progressive Corp., and also held management positions with American International Group.

Bennett is currently executive vice president of personal lines and small business insurance. Bennett joined The Hartford in 1999 as staff assistant to Ayer. He has since served in several leadership roles at the company, including vice president of corporate development, head of the eBusiness Ventures Team, and senior vice president of product management for the personal lines division. He was promoted to his current role in 2005. Before joining The Hartford, Bennett was with CIGNA, leading institutional fund strategy and marketing for the individual insurance division and as a product manager for corporate-owned life insurance. Prior to CIGNA, Bennett was with Arthur Andersen LLP.