Media Advisory / Photo Opportunity
The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Symetra Life Insurance Company on Thursday, May 28, at 1:30 p.m., at its new office location in West Des Moines.
What: A ribbon-cutting ceremony to formally welcome recently domiciled Symetra Life Insurance Company to Iowa and celebrate the opening of its new West Des Moines office.
When: Thursday, May 28, at 1:30 p.m. (CT)
Where: 4125 Westown Parkway, Suite 102, next door to Shive-Hattery in West Des Moines
Who: Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds; Debi Durham, Director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development; Nick Gerhart, Iowa Insurance Commissioner; Steven K. Gaer, Mayor of the City of West Des Moines; and Thomas Marra, President and CEO, Symetra Life Insurance Company.
Why: Symetra joins a growing list of insurers choosing to domicile in Iowa, attracted by the highly developed regulatory environment.
Background Information: Symetra Financial Corporation completed the redomestication of its principal life insurance subsidiary, Symetra Life Insurance Company, from Washington to Iowa in July 2014. The company cited the highly developed statutes and regulations governing the life insurance industry in Iowa and the ability to grow and diversify its product portfolio and risk profile as key factors in its redomestication decision. Symetra provides employee benefits, annuities and life insurance through a national network of benefits consultants, financial institutions, and independent agents and advisors.
About 7.6 percent of Iowa’s economic activity comes from its insurance industry, the second-largest in the U.S. by that measure, according to the state’s economic development agency. The state is now home to 29 life carriers.
All media inquiries should be directed to Meridith Freese, Marketing Manager at the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, at (515) 225-6009 or meridith@wdmchamber.org.
About the West Des Moines Chamber
The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce is an action oriented organization. Individuals and businesses work through the Chamber to advance economic growth. The Chamber asserts a leadership role in the areas of business retention, business recruitment, the development of increased business and tourism opportunities, and promotion of the quality of life offered in West Des Moines.