H&R Block Inc. has named Alan M. Bennett, the former chief financial officer of Hartford health insurer Aetna, as its new president and CEO, the Associated Press reports.
The company’s previous chief executive, Russ Smyth, resigned to take another CEO post.
Bennett served as Block’s interim CEO in 2007 and 2008. He has been on the company’s board of directors since 2008.
During his tenure as CEO, Block closed its subprime mortgage origination business, sold its mortgage servicing operations and its financial advisory business and acquired a major tax franchise in the southwestern United States.
He also cut costs as the company realigned from a holding company structure to an operating company.
Bennett was the CFO of Aetna, Inc. and a member of the office of the chairman of Aetna for six years prior to retiring in 2007. Prior to serving as CFO, he held positions as Aetna’s controller and head of internal audit.Â
