DALLAS, TEXAS -- (Marketwire) -- 11/29/12 -- The Board of Directors of Optimum Re Insurance Company recently appointed a new President and Chief Operating Officer for the company. As of November 15, 2012, Mr. Sebastien Blondeau, FSA, MAAA, succeeds to Mr. Serge Goulet as the leader of the Optimum's reinsurance operations in the US. For his part, Mr. Goulet now becomes President & COO of the Optimum Group's Canadian reinsurance operations.

As a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and Member of the American Association of Actuaries, Mr. Blondeau has been with Optimum Group's reinsurance division since 1997, and has held key positions notably in actuarial services and risk management. He acted as Executive Vice President and Chief Actuary with the company since 2011.

The Board also appointed Mr. Francois Duguay, FSA, FCIA, as the new Vice President, Risk Management. Mr. Duguay is a seasoned professional who will oversee the actuarial and risk management functions related to the reinsurance division of Optimum Group.

'These nominations are in line with Optimum Re's succession plan and roadmap for the coming years. Both Mr. Blondeau and Mr. Duguay are experienced players who are very well positioned to support our growth and maintain our excellent results' said Mr. Jean-Claude Page, Vice Chairman of the Board and CEO at Optimum Re Insurance Company, and President and COO of Optimum Group Inc.

Serving US Reinsurance Markets for 25 Years

Optimum Re Insurance Company has been active in life reinsurance for twenty five years in the United States. Located in Dallas, Texas the company was acquired in 1987 by the Optimum Group. Since its acquisition, the company has seen its premium base grow by more than ten times.

Optimum Re's mission is to support its clients by providing expertise and solutions in addition to reinsurance capacity. The company concentrates in two major lines of business - Life and Critical Illness Insurance. Optimum Re Insurance Company remains the reinsurer of choice for more than 160 insurance companies in the US and Caribbean markets.

About Optimum Group Inc.

Founded in 1969 by actuaries, Optimum Group is a Canadian-owned private international financial group, active in life insurance, property and casualty insurance, life reinsurance, actuarial consulting and asset management. Optimum Group operates mainly in Canada, the US, the Caribbean and France, and counts around 500 employees worldwide.