Boston-based student loan packager The First Marblehead Corp. has expanded its national sales team with five new hires.

The expanded team will provide school relationship management at the local level in support of private student loan programs built on First Marblehead’s Monogram products.

"We are pleased to have such a seasoned school team in the market to service our lender and school customers," said Melissa Bassett, the company’s vice president and national sales manager.

Ann Lague will serve as director of Northeast sales, Mike Fuller will be director of Southwest/West sales and Mindy Hager will be director of Midwest sales.

Heidi Sisson joined as a relationship manager covering Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Kim Thomas joined as the relationship manager covering California and the West Coast.

"The school channel is a critical distribution channel for private student loans," said Daniel Meyers, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer. "By expanding our national sales team with such talented people, we can more effectively support the needs of financial aid administrators and their students in the coming 2010-2011 academic year."