Assurant, the New York City-based specialty insurer with $8.7 billion in 2009 revenue, hired Brian Koppy as vice president of investor relations. Koppy, 41, most recently was director of investor relations and communications at Barnes Group. Earlier, he worked in finance, strategy and planning and investor relations roles at Aetna.

Brent Smith was appointed CFO, treasurer and executive vice president of Cal Dive International, a Houston, Texas, marine contractor with $829 million in 2009 revenue. He replaces Bruce Koch, who is leaving to pursue personal interests. Smith, 35, most recently was Cal Dive's vice president of finance and earlier served as director of finance and investor relations. Before joining Cal Dive in 2007, he was assistant controller at Helix Energy Solutions group. He began his career in public accounting.

Capella Education, a $334 million online education company in Minneapolis, named Steven Polacek CFO and senior vice president. He succeeds Lois Martin, who is leaving Capella at the end of 2010. Polacek, 50, most recently was CFO and senior vice president at Hutchinson Technology. Earlier, he was CFO and chief administrative officer at Opus Corp. and served as a partner at Deloitte & Touche and Arthur Andersen.