MassMutual's Retirement Services Division has hired Christopher Stout as sales director to strengthen its growing footprint in the Southeast region.

Stout, who joined the firm in the first week of August, reports to Shefali Desai, emerging market sales manager for MassMutual's retirement services division.

The underwriter has assigned Stout the responsibility to carry out business development and sales support of MassMutual's third-party and dedicated distribution channels focusing on retirement plans in the small-plan market.

Stout is based in Canton, Georgia, US, and is teaming with MassMutual's managing director, Jeffrey Keller, covering Georgia and Alabama.

Prior to MassMutual, Stout worked for Guardian Insurance of America for almost three years as regional vice president of retirement plan sales.

Shefali Desai said, "The Southeast territory continues to grow aggressively and MassMutual is committed to supporting our distribution network in this area with knowledgeable, service-oriented individuals like Chris."

"With MassMutual, retirement plans in the small-plan market have the opportunity to leverage services that many other providers don't offer. Chris's expertise will be a great asset to retirement plan advisors and third-party administrators striving to serve plan sponsors and participants in this market."

Headquartered in Springfield, MassMutual Financial is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance (MassMutual).