Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. elevated its top inhouse lobbyist Matthew Kirk to a senior post overseeing sales and distribution of its commercial markets products.
Kirk, who had been senior vice president in charge of The Hartford’s government affairs after serving in The White House under George W. Bush, reports to Commercial Markets President Doug Elliot. Kirk retains his senior vice president tag.
Succeeding Kirk is Jay Rosenblum, another inhouse lobbyist for the Hartford insurer that this week announced plans to jettison its retirement-products operation for $400 million to MassMutual. Rosenblum reports to Alan Kreczko, executive vice president and general counsel.
Kirk joined The Hartford in 2006 and led its interactions with regulators and lawmakers during the global financial crisis, the insurer said.
Rosenblum joined the company in 2009 and has led The Hartford’s federal affairs team in Washington, D.C., and was the company’s chief advocate before Congress and the executive branch.
Prior to joining The Hartford, Rosenblum represented the accounting profession in Washington, D.C., for nine years, first at Ernst & Young and later as the head of Grant Thornton’s government affairs office. Earlier in his career, he held several roles in the Clinton administration.
Laura Haines has been promoted to succeed Rosenblum as vice president of federal affairs. Haines has served as assistant vice president for government affairs since 2006. She began her career at The Hartford in 1993 in group benefits sales.
From 1999 to 2002, Haines worked for Standard Insurance Company selling group life and disability insurance. She returned to The Hartford in 2002 when she joined The Hartford’s federal affairs office.
