Who's making the news in employee benefits? (Photo: Shutterstock)

A whirlwind of benefits industry mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, new hires and promotions is sweeping across the U.S. Here are a few newsmakers:

Global advisory Willis Towers Watson announced the hires of John McQuade and Deborah Tully as senior members of the company's Government Contractor Industry Group. They specialize in Cost Accounting Standards and Federal Acquisition Regulation compliance, negotiating advance agreements with government agencies, providing assistance in resolving disputes with the government, and more.

The Asset Management Exchange (AMX), launched last year by Willis Towers Watson announced the appointment of Kimberley West as U.S. head. In this newly created position, West will have overall responsibility for leading the expansion of the exchange in the U.S. Based in New York, West will report directly to Oliver Jaegemann, global head of AMX.