SANTA MONICA, California, May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Wilshire Analytics, a business unit of Wilshire Associates Incorporated (Wilshire(R)), today announced the appointment of proven investment management and analytics professional Mark Hansen as president of Wilshire Analytics, starting June 1. Hansen will oversee a team of more than 100 associates around the globe to provide investment firms worldwide with multi-asset class solutions for analytics, attribution, risk management, performance, GIPS(R) reporting, total fund reporting, style and peer universe comparisons.

Hansen joins Wilshire from Russell Investments, where he spent 14 years. Most recently, as managing director of Russell's institutional business in the Americas, Hansen was responsible for Russell's highest revenue business, serving more than 550 clients, including corporate and public pension funds, endowments and foundations, and other institutional investors. Hansen also brings several years of experience leading Russell's Analytics and Indexes, where he grew the business significantly over a five-year period.

"We are very pleased to welcome Mark Hansen to the Wilshire team," said Dennis A. Tito, Chief Executive Officer, Wilshire Associates. "We are looking forward to Mark further strengthening Wilshire's legacy of leadership in the area of analytics. His broad and deep experience will ensure that Wilshire continues to deliver innovative investment research and services to the institutional market."

Hansen held a number of senior positions during his tenure at Russell Investments, spanning analytics services, indexes, asset management and investment consulting, as well as two years as CEO of Russell's business in Japan. He led the Tokyo-based operation to significant growth, doubling assets and increasing revenue and profits by more than 100 percent in his two-year tenure.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Hansen also serves on World Affairs Council Board of Trustees, and is the Vice-Chairman of Washington State University's College of Business National Board of Advisors. "I'm thrilled to be joining Wilshire and look forward to building upon the solid foundation of Wilshire Analytics to provide best-in-class risk and finance analytics for the industry," Hansen added.

About Wilshire Associates

Wilshire Associates, a leading global independent investment consulting and services firm, provides consulting services, analytics solutions and customized investment products to plan sponsors, investment managers and financial intermediaries. Its business units include Wilshire Analytics, Wilshire Consulting, Wilshire Funds Management and Wilshire Private Markets.

The firm was founded in 1972, revolutionizing the industry by pioneering the application of investment analytics and research to investment management for the institutional marketplace. Wilshire is credited with helping to develop the field of quantitative investment analysis that uses mathematical tools to analyze market risks. All other business units evolved from Wilshire's strong analytics foundation. Wilshire developed the Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index(SM) and became an early innovator in creating the industry's integrated asset/liability analysis/simulation models as well as the industry's practical models in risk budgeting through beta and active risk analysis. Wilshire has grown to a firm of more than 300 employees serving the investment needs of institutional clients around the world.

Based in Santa Monica, California, Wilshire provides services to clients in more than 20 countries representing approximately 600 organizations. With ten offices on four continents, Wilshire Associates and its affiliates are dedicated to providing clients with the highest quality counsel, products and services. Wilshire is a registered service mark of Wilshire Associates Incorporated. Please visit http://www.wilshire.com/.

    
    Media Contact:
    Kirsten Neesen, for Wilshire Associates Incorporated
    +1-213-438-8726
    kclausen@golinharris.com

SOURCE Wilshire Associates Incorporated