BALTIMORE, Md. – St. Bonaventure baseball alumnus Tom Marra, Class of 1980, was named to The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Board of Directors on Thursday.

Marra earmarked a $900,000 gift in September 2005 to the Anniversary Campaign for the complete renovation of McGraw-Jennings Field.

The gift converted the previously all-natural grass field to an artificial surface, while also expanding the dugouts, replacing the bullpens and providing new fencing around the entire stadium.

When the field was dedicated on Sept. 9, 2006, it was renamed Fred Handler Park at McGraw-Jennings Field in honor of longtime Bonnies coach Fred Handler. Marra, a member of the university's Board of Trustees, played under Handler, who was also a physical education professor at the school from 1959 until his retirement in 1997.

Marra, who also chairs the university's Athletics Committee, is the President and CEO of Bellevue, Wash.-based Symetra Financial Corporation, a provider of employee benefits, annuities and life insurance. In addition to his board service, Marra is teaming up with the Foundation on a new youth initiative in the Seattle area, which will be announced in coming weeks.

Steve Salem, president of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, said, "Tom's interest and commitment to helping kids in underserved communities is clear, and we thank him for his support of all we are doing across the country. Cal and Bill Ripken are excited to welcome Tom to our board, and we look forward to helping him and Symetra enrich the lives of kids in the Seattle area."

Marra joined Symetra in June 2010 following a 30-year insurance career at The Hartford Financial Services Group. While at The Hartford, he held increasingly senior positions, most recently as President and Chief Operating Officer. He is a member of the Washington Roundtable, a nonprofit public policy organization that works to foster economic growth, generate jobs and improve the quality of life for people in the State of Washington.

"I am thrilled to join this prestigious Board of Directors," said Marra. "The work of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation is invaluable to our youth and has proven to make a real and lasting impact. I look forward to working with the Foundation to make a difference in the lives of kids right here in Washington State."

About the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation:  The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation helps build character and teach critical life lessons to disadvantaged youth residing in America's most distressed communities using baseball and softball themed programs.  Founded in 2001 by members of the Ripken family in memory of their patriarch, and celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Foundation works to create programs that positively impact disadvantaged youth through active community partnerships with America's most successful youth serving organizations.

About Symetra Financial Corporation:  Symetra Financial Corporation (NYSE: SYA) is a diversified financial services company based in Bellevue, Wash. In business since 1957, Symetra provides employee benefits, annuities and life insurance through a national network of benefit consultants, financial institutions, and independent agents and advisors. For more information, visit www.symetra.com.