CINCINNATI, OH--(Marketwired - Jun 17, 2014) - Ohio National is pleased to announce that Nancy A. Dalessio is joining the organization as executive vice president and chief administrative officer, effective July 14.

Dalessio has more than 30 years of senior leadership positions in the financial services industry, including senior vice president and executive officer of information systems and technology. She also has executive level experience in investment technology and operations, human resources and corporate facilities. Most recently, she was senior vice president and chief information officer of Ameritas, headquartered in Lincoln, Neb. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Nancy Dalessio to Ohio National," said Gary T. "Doc" Huffman, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Nancy has an exceptional level of knowledge about financial services and the need to provide the highest level of service and security to our policyholders."

Dalessio has been serving as a strategy consultant to Huffman and Ohio National leadership since January.

During the next six months, Dalessio will be working closely to transition operations currently reporting to Howard C. Becker, CLU, ChFC, prior to his planned December retirement. Becker, a 36-year associate of Ohio National, has been executive vice president since 2011 and chief administrative officer since 2008.

"It is imperative that our company provide an exceptional level of service and the strongest possible delivery platforms for our agents and clients," Dalessio noted. "Ohio National is extremely well positioned, and I am looking forward to helping our company meet the exciting opportunities ahead."

Dalessio will be responsible for the insurance operations area, the solutions group and the information technology department. Reporting to Dalessio will be Richard J. Bodner, ACS, CIOP, senior vice president, insurance operations, and Traci Nelson, vice president and program manager.

A graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Dalessio has more than 20 years experience at MassMutual Financial Group, eight years as a technology consultant, and five years at Ameritas.

Tracing its corporate origins to 1909, Ohio National markets a variety of insurance and financial products through more than 50,000 representatives in 47 states (all except Alaska, Hawaii and New York), the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and through affiliated operations in South America. Additional subsidiaries operate in New York and Connecticut. As of Dec. 31, 2013, its affiliated companies have $38.8 billion total assets under management. Products are issued by The Ohio National Life Insurance Company and Ohio National Life Assurance Corporation and National Security Life & Annuity Company in New York. Named Cincinnati's "#1 Top Workplace" (large category) by the Enquirer Media (June 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014). Ohio National has more than 1,000 associates. Visit www.ohionational.com for more information.