October 17, 2008 12:04 ET

Clayton M. Yokota Named Trustmark Voluntary Benefit Solutions Regional Sales Vice President, Western Region

LAKE FOREST, IL--(Marketwire - October 17, 2008) - Dana Point, Calif., resident Clay Yokota, joined Trustmark Voluntary Benefit Solutions as Regional Sales Vice President for its Western Region. The announcement was made by Christopher Martin, Executive Vice President of the Lake Forest, Ill.-based voluntary benefits marketer.

In his new position, Yokota will head sales of voluntary benefits through brokers in the Western Region, which consists of the entire western, south and midwestern portions of the U.S. He will be working from his office in Dana Point, Calif., and reports to Sales Vice President, Dave Cirulis.

"Clay brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and management experience to Trustmark that will help complement our growth strategy in the Western Region," said Cirulis. "Through his brokerage relationship in this region, many new brokers will have the opportunity to experience the Trustmark solution for their clients' needs."

Yokota said, "I am very excited about joining an organization that has a tradition of providing value-added products and service excellence to our customers. We help individuals during financial hardships created by unforeseen illness or accident."

Previous to Trustmark, Yokota most recently served as Regional Vice President, Employee Benefits, AIG. He also worked as a consultant and served for 22 years with Pacific Life & Annuity, holding various positions including Vice President of Sales and Business Development. Yokota attended University of Hawaii and completed coursework at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.

About Trustmark Voluntary Benefit Solutions

Serving the voluntary market for nearly a century, Trustmark Voluntary Benefit Solutions specializes in voluntary benefits, including Life, Critical Illness, Disability and Accident. All plans are underwritten by Trustmark Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Trustmark Mutual Holding Company. Through its subsidiaries and operating divisions, Trustmark Mutual Holding Company offers a full line of health, life and benefit administration products and services to groups and individuals. Trustmark Mutual Holding Company has assets of more than $1.7 billion and is based in Lake Forest, Ill. For more information, visit www.trustmarksolutions.com.