Esposito: Business First

The cost-consciousness prevalent in the lean years following the dot-com bust has tended to blunt the innovative spirit of technology leadership at insurance companies, in the view of Mark Esposito, the recently appointed CIO for The Hartford Financial Services subsidiary Hartford Life's (Hartford; $8.2 billion in revenue) individual life division. In his new role, Esposito plans to drive a creative and opportunistic approach to technology, while never losing sight of its purpose. "I'm in the individual life business first," he comments. "It just so happens that I'm a technologist by trade."

Esposito, who most recently served as VP of IT for Phoenix Life's individual life and annuity business, says his agenda includes a focus on integration efforts related to channels, account executives and client interaction. He also will continue a focus on product innovation and broadening the application of information management as it relates to data management, data integration and reporting, he says -- all while fostering a culture that encourages creative thinking. "You need to rise above just being heads-down and just getting the job done," Esposito emphasizes. "You have to be able to create an environment that allows innovation to occur."

Anthony O'Donnell has covered technology in the insurance industry since 2000, when he joined the editorial staff of Insurance & Technology. As an editor and reporter for I&T and the InformationWeek Financial Services of TechWeb he has written on all areas of information ... View Full Bio