Grady To Head Hartford Life's Restructured IT

Lois Grady has been appointed to the newly created position of executive vice president and director of information systems and services. Grady will be responsible for working with each of the life company's business units to develop a new integrated service and technology strategy for the company.

As part of a restructuring strategy that will better leverage The Hartford Life Co.'s (Simsbury, CT) group competencies, Lois Grady has been appointed to the newly created position of executive vice president and director of information systems and services.

Grady, who has worked within every life product line during her 18-year Hartford tenure, will be responsible for working with each of the life company's business units to develop a new integrated service and technology strategy for the company.

The restructuring strategy, says Grady, was developed by a leadership team composed of Hartford Life employees that was led by the organization's new president, Tom Marra. "A consulting firm collected the hard-hitting concerns of employees and married that with industry information" to develop a strategy, she reports. Prior to this restructuring, lines of business within the life company acted as micro-businesses. By focusing on service and technology, the Hartford's life operation is looking to leverage best practices across its entire organization.

In terms of the new structure, Hartford Life is following the lead of Fortis Financial Group. In January 2001 the life company acquired Fortis Financial Group's variable life insurance and annuity businesses. Grady led the integration of the Fortis businesses—which she describes as aligned and able to share resources.