A Lawrence resident is the new president and chief operating officer of Security Benefit Corp., a Topeka-based company that provides financial services and retirement planning for investors and employers.

Tom Swank, who had been senior vice president and chief marketing officer, assumes the title of president from Kris Robbins, who will remain as Security Benefit’s chairman and chief executive officer.

The company has 800 employees and more than

$19 billion of assets under management.

Robbins said that Swank had demonstrated a “history of strong leadership in our company,” beginning in 1992 as a high-yield portfolio manager and director of fixed income research. Swank went on to handle a variety of managerial positions, including head of Fixed Income, chief risk officer, chief financial officer and, most recently, head of the company’s Advisor/Employer lines of business.

“Tom’s diversity of experience within the company, as well as rich knowledge of the industry and his exceptional technical competence, will be true assets in his new position,” Robbins said in a statement.

Swank is a graduate of Miami University, in Ohio, and received a master of business administration degree from the University of Colorado. He also is a registered Chartered Financial Analyst and has a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Registered Series 7 License.

Swank is a member of the Topeka Advisory Board for UMB, and is a director of the Topeka Chamber of Commerce.

“I look forward to building on the strong foundation for growth and innovation that is a part of Security Benefit’s history,” Swank said in a statement.

The company is searching for a new leader for its Advisor/Employer business lines. Swank will continue to handle those responsibilities until that position is filled.