MetLife affiliate confirms Bill Brooks to retire at the end of 2014
CLEVELAND, Nov. 13, 2014 – Ingrid Tolentino has been named Chief Executive Officer of Hyatt Legal Plans, a MetLife company. Ingrid succeeds Bill Brooks who will retire at the end of the year.
Tolentino comes to Hyatt Legal Plans from parent company MetLife where she has more than 20 years of experience leading large operational teams. In her most recent role as Vice President, Business Services & Initiatives of Property & Casualty at MetLife, Tolentino had responsibility for the development and oversight of the company’s business plan and managed several companywide business operations, including customer service and IT.
“I am looking forward to my new role as CEO of Hyatt Legal Plans. After spending 20 years at MetLife, I’m humbled to take on the great work started by Bill Brooks and his colleagues and continue to lead the Hyatt team on a path of success,” said Tolentino.
A graduate of Syracuse University, Tolentino has held a number of positions at MetLife including Planning Officer for the company and Chief of Staff to the President of Group Property & Casualty. Tolentino was also a founding member of the MetLife P&C Diversity Steering Committee and an active member of the Corporate Contributions, Corporate Mentoring and Talent Development committees. She will relocate to Cleveland from Rhode Island.
“Ingrid is the perfect choice to lead Hyatt Legal Plans. She brings incomparable vision, energy and dedication to serve the position of Chief Executive Officer,” said James Reid, Executive Vice President, Group, Voluntary & Worksite Products at MetLife. “We also want to recognize the invaluable leadership and innovation that Bill Brooks has contributed to the success of Hyatt, MetLife and all who have had the pleasure of working with him. As Bill ends his distinguished career, we thank him for his contributions to Hyatt’s success.”
Brooks retires after a 35 year career at Hyatt. A graduate of Dartmouth and the University of Michigan Law School, Brooks practiced law in New Jersey before joining Hyatt Legal Services in 1979. He worked as Senior Partner of Hyatt which became the largest law firm in the United States before spinning off Hyatt Legal Plans in 1990 with Brooks as its COO. Brooks became CEO of Hyatt Legal Plans in 1997 when it was acquired by MetLife.
“Over the last 35 years I have had the pleasure of seeing the Hyatt enterprise grow from a small law firm to the largest provider of group legal plans in the United States. It has been a privilege to be a part of the movement to bring affordable legal services to Americans and I am proud of what we have accomplished,” Brooks said. “It is time for a new chapter in Hyatt’s history and I am confident that Ingrid is the right choice to lead this company.”
Brooks will stay on at Hyatt through the end of the year, working closely with Tolentino to transition leadership.
About Hyatt Legal Plans
Hyatt Legal Plans, a MetLife subsidiary, helps Americans address important life issues through legal services plans. The company provides affordable access to the most commonly needed legal services to over 13 million Americans nationwide. The Hyatt Legal Plan features a nationwide network of over 13,000 licensed attorneys and award-winning client service available by phone or online. Group legal plans provided by Hyatt Legal Plans, Inc., Cleveland, OH. In certain states, plans are provided through insurance coverage underwritten by Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company and Affiliates, Warwick, RI.
About MetLife
MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates (“MetLife”), is one of the largest life insurance companies in the world. Founded in 1868, MetLife is a global provider of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. Serving approximately 100 million customers, MetLife has operations in nearly 50 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.
