Invest's Olson quits suddenly.

D. Mark Olson has resigned abruptly from Invest Financial Corp., just a month after being named chairman of the marketing company based in Tampa, Fla.

Mr. Olson, who also held the titles of president and chief executive officer, left to pursue other opportunities, according to a statement from Invest's parent, Kemper Corp., Long Grove, Ill.

Kemper named Merlin R. Gackle, Invest's national sales manager since 1990, to the posts of president and chief operating officer and Kemper executive vice president James R. Boris as temporary chairman and chief executive.

Mr. Olson, who came to Invest in 1989 from Kemper, could not be reached for comment. The phone at his home in suburban Tampa was disconnected early this week.

Invest ranks among the top three suppliers of investment products through banks, with $2.3 billion of mutual funds and annuities sold last year.

This year's overall volume will be the same or slightly less than last year's, according to company sources.

In handing day-to-day responsibility to Mr. Gackle, Kemper is signaling an emphasis on growth.

Before joining Invest, he was senior vice president and national sales manager with Colonial Investment Services, a big Boston-based mutual fund company.

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