Aetna, a diversified health care benefits company, has appointed Cain Hayes as new head of its Public and Labor business.

In this role, Hayes will have full operating and financial responsibility for the business, including pricing, underwriting, product, distribution and business strategy.

Hayes has nearly 20 years of insurance industry experience. He will join Aetna from Nationwide where he was senior vice president and chief sales officer for Nationwide Retirement Solutions.

Aetna head of Government and Specialty Products Patricia Farrell said, there is tremendous opportunity in the marketplace for Aetna to meet the unique needs of public and labor organizations and improve the health and well-being of their employees.