View this article online: https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2004/01/16/35840.htm
Robert Kerzner, executive vice president and director of The Hartford Financial Services Group’s individual life division and president of Woodbury Financial Services, is retiring after a 30-year career with the insurance and financial services giant.
Kerzner will remain in his current positions until May to help with the leadership transition for the individual life division and Woodbury Financial. The Hartford has begun an extensive search, including both internal and external candidates.
“I’m proud to have worked for a company with The Hartford’s integrity and history of success,” Kerzner stated. “I’ve had a great ride here, and now I want to spend the next part of my career doing something different. My only regret is leaving the people who make The Hartford such a great company.”
Tom Marra, Hartford Life president and COO, praised Kerzner’s accomplishments and long history of leadership. “Bob has done a great job in positioning Hartford Life for continued success,” he commented. “I can’t thank Bob enough for his vision and energy in leading the individual life division from an ‘also-ran’ many years ago to a true industry leader today.
“Bob’s leadership has also been instrumental in building Woodbury Financial into a top individual broker-dealer,” Marra continued. “Woodbury Financial is attracting top financial professionals who want a broker-dealer that offers comprehensive financial planning services.”
In 2001, Kerzner played an integral role in the successful acquisition and integration of Fortis Financial. Subsequently, he was named president of Woodbury, the former Fortis broker-dealer.
He joined Hartford Life in 1974 in field sales and served as manager of the Southern Connecticut regional office for 15 years, leading the office to the No. 1 sales ranking 12 times. In 1991 he was named regional vice president, and in 1994 he moved to Hartford Life’s Simsbury, Conn. headquarters as vice president and director of individual life sales. He was elected senior vice president and director of the individual life division in 1998 and was named executive vice president in 2001.
Kerzner is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University, a member of the LIMRA International Board of Directors and is a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and a Chartered Financial Counselor (ChFC).