Our Team

Our Stable Value Team

Marijn Smit, Vice President, Pension & Savings
Marijn Smit is responsible for overall management and development of our $50 billion book of pension and savings products. He oversees all aspects of business development and client management covering multiple institutional clients. Marijn has some 12 years of experience in the financial services industry, including equity research, investor relations, and currently in marketing.  He joined AEGON's investor relations team in The Hague, The Netherlands in 2004 and has been with AEGON Institutional Markets since 2007.  Prior to joining AEGON, Marijn was a senior equity analyst with ABN AMRO Bank, working from their Amsterdam and London locations. Marijn earned his Master of Science degree in economics from the University of Groningen (Netherlands), specializing in finance and investments. He completed his Executive MBA at INSEAD (France/Singapore), graduating with distinction.

Kappie Bogart, Director, Pension & Savings
Kappie Bogart joined AEGON in 2003 and has more than 10 years of experience in the financial services industry. In her current role, she is responsible for managing large institutional client relationships in the retirement and college savings markets, sourcing new business, underwriting/pricing and product development. Prior to joining AEGON, she spent six years with ING Institutional Markets in Denver, CO in a similar role. Kappie holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Denver and an MBA from Bellarmine University.

Brian Murphy, Director, Pension & Savings
Brian Murphy is a senior account manager for the stable value business where he is responsible for relationship management, underwriting and structuring new business. In addition, he leads the business development efforts for the 529 College Savings market. Brian has held various marketing and analytical positions during his 10-year tenure with AEGON and holds a B.S. in Business and Public Administration from the University of Louisville.

Sheila H. Smith, GIC Product Manager
Sheila Smith joined AEGON in 1981. As GIC product manager, she is responsible for management and production of traditional GIC business, including underwriting, pricing, and bidding. She also supports account managers with typical synthetic GIC deals and reporting needs. Previously, Sheila served as a sales support analyst for the consultant market; was responsible for contract issuance in IMD Operations; and served as cashflow administrator in the investments division. Sheila holds an associate degree in business management from Sullivan University.

Angela Demling, GIC Product Assistant
Angela Demling joined AEGON in 1993. She is responsible for production of traditional GIC business, including underwriting, pricing, and bidding, and supports account managers with typical synthetic GIC deals. In addition, she is responsible for risk and management reporting for the Pension & Savings area. Previously, Angela worked in both Individual Operations and Group Operations until she joined the marketing team in 1996. Angela holds a business degree from the University of Louisville. 

Our Cash Markets Team

Stephen Curry, Director, Capital Markets
Stephen Curry began managing the cash markets block of business in 2006. He joined AEGON in 2000 as a financial analyst, moved to the Municipal Investments team in 2001 as business development director and expanded that role to include serving the Medium Term Notes team in 2005. Before joining AEGON, he worked as a credit analyst for National City Bank and prior to that, worked as a buyer for a metals trading firm. Stephen holds a degree in Mathematics from Kentucky Wesleyan College and an MBA from the University of Louisville.



Our Municipal Investment Team

Clifton E. Jenkins, CFA, Vice President and Director, Municipal Reinvestments
Cliff Jenkins is responsible for the overall management and development of AEGON's Municipal Reinvestment products. His 20-plus year career in the institutional investment industry includes client relations, sales and investment management. Cliff holds a B.A. in Finance from Loyola Marymount University and an MBA from Regis University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Louisville.

Matt Meaney, Director, Municipal Reinvestments
Matt Meaney joined AEGON Institutional Markets from Transamerica Asset Management with more than 10 years of financial and investment experience. He holds a B.S. in Finance from the State University of New York and an MBA in Global Management from the University of Phoenix.

Tracie Meyer, Director, Municipal Reinvestments
Tracie Meyer became part of the municipal reinvestments team in 2005 and is responsible for underwriting and marketing municipal reinvestment deals and financial reporting. She joined AEGON in 2003 and has worked in the financial services industry since 1997. Before joining AEGON, Tracie worked as a licensed trader and gained a diverse trading background by trading futures, equities, options, and foreign currencies. She holds a B.S. from Indiana University and an M.S. in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Jennifer Nickel, Director, Municipal Reinvestments
Jennifer Nickel has been with AEGON for 10 years and has been in the Institutional Markets Division since 1999. She joined the Municipal Reinvestments team in 2006 after three-and-a-half year assignment in Dublin, Ireland where she was responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategy for a new business platform there. Prior to joining AEGON's Ireland-based operation, Jennifer worked for AEGON Institutional Markets in the U.S., in a marketing capacity for funding agreement-backed note issuance. Her prior experience also includes stints in investment contract administration and investor relations for AEGON and Providian Corporation. Jennifer holds a B.A. from Western Kentucky University and an MBA from Indiana University Southeast.


Our Structured Products Team

Zahid Hussain, President
Zahid Hussain leads AEGON Institutional Markets' Structured Products unit after leading the launch of AEGON Global Institutional Markets and AEGON Financial Assurance, the Dublin-based secured note platforms of AEGON Institutional Markets. He also served as head of New Initiatives for AEGON Institutional Markets, where he was responsible for all new product development efforts for Institutional Markets. He joined AEGON from Transamerica Asset Management (TAM) where he managed the risk management function, including the development of asset/liability management systems and new investment strategies. He also managed TAM's stable value, synthetic wrap, and terminal funding businesses.

Brian Herman, Director, Business Development
Brian Herman joined Structured Products in June 2002 and manages the guaranteed affordable housing, hedge fund principal protection, and credit guaranty programs. He also oversees Structured Products' new market tax credit investments and initiatives. Prior to joining AEGON, Brian worked in structured finance for Credit Suisse/DLJ and Citigroup. He also worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers in its tax department. Brian has an MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA and B.S. degree from West Virginia University.

David Ludke, ASA, Director, Product Development
David Ludke has been with the AEGON companies since 1990. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President of Risk Management for AEGON USA Investment Management, the investment operation for AEGON's U.S. insurance companies. He also worked at American General and Travelers in similar capacities.

Sherry Perchik, CFA, Director, Marketing
Sherry Perchik joined AEGON in 2001 and was responsible until 2006 for managing and developing the $7 billion block of funding agreements held largely by the 2a-7 market. She has 20 years of financial experience, primarily in the banking and investment banking sectors, in a variety of roles. Sherry holds a B.S. degree from Tulane University and an MBA in Finance from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business.

Bill Cox, Senior Financial Analyst
Bill Cox joined AEGON Structured Products in July 2004. Prior to joining Structured Products, he worked for AEGON's financial group on internal and external reporting. Bill holds MBA and B.S. degrees from the University of Louisville.

Mark Tolliver, Financial Analyst
Mark Tolliver joined AEGON Structured Products in July 2005. Mark holds a B.S. in Business Finance from Indiana University Southeast.


Our New Initiatives Team

Jeff Rosen, JD, Managing Director
Jeff Rosen took the leadership role of New Initiatives in 2007, after a successful, six-year tenure as managing director of sales and marketing, where he was responsible for all aspects of sales and marketing for the division's institutional business. Jeff joined AEGON in 1988 after four years as an attorney with the Dallas law firm Strasburger & Price. He has held various management positions within legal, investments, and investor relations departments within AEGON.

Aruna Hobbs, Director, New Initiatives
Aruna Hobbs joined New Initiatives in 2008 after managing and developing AEGON Institutional Markets' stable value business over several years across multiple client relationships in the pensions market.  Aruna has 20 years of experience in the financial industry including various positions held in bank asset/liability management, economics, corporate finance, marketing and management of financial products.  She has served as an executive board member of the Stable Value Investment Association for two terms and is on various industry committees.

Lisa Layman, Director
Lisa Layman joined the AEGON organization in 1984 and has held a variety of positions with increasing responsibility. During the past 10 years, she has focused exclusively on institutional product development initiatives. Lisa holds a degree in Mathematics from the University of Louisville.

Mike Leonberger, ASA, MAAA, Director
Mike Leonberger joined the New Initiatives team in April 2005. Previously, he worked with AEGON for seven years in the investment and risk management areas.

Dan Towriss, FSA, MAAA, Director
Dan Towriss joined the New Initiatives team in August 2007. Before joining the team, he was responsible for the risk management function for AEGON's medium term note and cash markets businesses. Dan's prior experience includes reinsurance marketing, product pricing and asset/liability management.

Kara Marr, Associate Director
Kara Marr joined AEGON in 2004 and New Initiatives in 2006 and brings to the team five years of experience in financial services, including project management and financial analysis.

Mary Radke, Associate Director
Mary Radke joined AEGON in 1998 and has held a variety of positions. Before joining the New Initiatives team, she concentrated on project management for AEGON Institutional Markets. Mary holds an Economics degree from the University of Wisconsin.

Nasir Rahman, CFA, MBA, MS, Associate Director
Nasir Rahman brought his substantial background in quantitative analysis to New Initiatives in January 2006. Nasir most recently worked as a Senior Risk Analyst with Royal Bank Investments in Toronto and before that, he served as a Senior Quantitative Analyst with Manulife's Investment Division.



Our Medium Term Notes Team

Lisa Medley, Vice President, Capital Markets
Lisa Medley is responsible for management and marketing of notes to institutional investors around the globe. She has more than 20 years' experience in institutional financial services. Prior to her current responsibilities, she served as vice president for municipal reinvestments at AEGON. Medley holds a bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Louisville and an MBA from Bellarmine University.

Stephen Curry, Director, Capital Markets
Stephen Curry began managing the cash markets block of business in 2006. He joined AEGON in 2000 as a financial analyst, moved to the Municipal Investments team in 2001 as business development director and expanded that role to include serving the Medium Term Notes team in 2005. Before joining AEGON, he worked as a credit analyst for National City Bank and prior to that, worked as a buyer for a metals trading firm. Stephen holds a degree in Mathematics from Kentucky Wesleyan College and an MBA from the University of Louisville.

AEGON Institutional Markets' personnel are employees of Monumental Life Insurance Company, an affiliated member of the AEGON Group.