Lincoln Financial Group Names John Kennedy President of Lincoln Financial Distributors

Rhea-AI Summary

Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE:LNC) announced the appointment of John Kennedy as executive vice president and president of Lincoln Financial Distributors (LFD). Kennedy joins the Senior Management Committee and reports to CEO Dennis R. Glass. Ellen Cooper expands her role to oversee the company’s Annuities business, alongside her duties as chief investment officer and head of Risk. Both executives succeed Will Fuller and Lisa Buckingham, who left for other positions. Kennedy's extensive experience in distribution is highlighted as a key asset for LFD's growth.

Positive

• John Kennedy appointed as president of Lincoln Financial Distributors, bringing extensive industry experience.
• Ellen Cooper expands her role, aligning Annuities business with risk management and investment functions.

Negative

• Departure of Will Fuller and Lisa Buckingham may create transitional challenges.

Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE:LNC) today announced that it has appointed John Kennedy as executive vice president and president of Lincoln Financial Distributors (LFD). He will be a member of Lincoln’s Senior Management Committee and report to Lincoln president and CEO Dennis R. Glass. The company also announced that Ellen Cooper, executive vice president, chief investment officer and head of Risk, is expanding her role and has assumed responsibility for its Annuities business.

John Kennedy, executive vice president and president of Lincoln Financial Distributors (Photo: Business Wire)

In their new roles they succeed Will Fuller, who left Lincoln to accept a senior position with a multinational life insurance, pensions and asset management company.

Mr. Kennedy was previously head of Retirement Solutions Distribution sales for LFD. Prior to joining Lincoln in 2009, he was national sales manager for MetLife Investors. His previous positions include senior vice president for AXA Distributors and various senior sales and marketing roles for PLANCO, a financial services subsidiary of The Hartford. Kennedy serves as the chairman of the board of the Insured Retirement Institute.

Ms. Cooper currently serves as Lincoln’s primary investment officer and oversees the company’s $290 billion investment portfolio. In addition to investments, she is responsible for the company’s risk management and hedging program and serves as chairperson of Lincoln’s mutual fund complex.

Separately, Lincoln announced that Lisa Buckingham, executive vice president and chief people, place and brand officer, left Lincoln to accept a senior position with a multinational, multiline insurance company. Lincoln will conduct an internal and external search for Ms. Buckingham’s replacement.

Mr. Glass said, “We are pleased to announce John’s appointment as president of Lincoln Financial Distributors. John has deep experience in distribution and a proven track record of success at Lincoln and other leading firms in our industry. We are also excited to have Ellen assume greater responsibilities and further align our Annuities business with our risk management and investment functions. We have a very deep bench across all our businesses and are grateful to have these highly accomplished executives step seamlessly into these roles. I look forward to continuing to work with them closely as they guide Lincoln’s industry-leading distribution organization and annuity business respectively.”

Mr. Glass concluded, “On behalf of the board of directors and the whole Lincoln team, I would like to thank Lisa and Will for their years of service and their many significant contributions to Lincoln. We wish them the best.”

About Lincoln Financial Group
Lincoln Financial Group provides advice and solutions that help people take charge of their financial lives with confidence and optimism. Today, more than 17 million customers trust our retirement, insurance and wealth protection expertise to help address their lifestyle, savings and income goals, and guard against long-term care expenses. Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE: LNC) and its affiliates. The company had $303 billion in end-of-period account values as of December 31, 2020. Lincoln Financial Group is a committed corporate citizen included on major sustainability indices including the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America and FTSE4Good. Dedicated to diversity and inclusion, we earned perfect 100 percent scores on the Corporate Equality Index and the Disability Equality Index, and rank among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers, Best Large Employers, Best Employers for Diversity, and Best Employers for Women, and Newsweek’s Most Responsible Companies. Learn more at: www.LincolnFinancial.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Sign up for email alerts at http://newsroom.lfg.com.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210310005951/en/

FAQ

Who has been appointed as president of Lincoln Financial Distributors (LFD)?

John Kennedy has been appointed as executive vice president and president of LFD.

What new responsibilities has Ellen Cooper taken on at Lincoln Financial Group?

Ellen Cooper has expanded her role to include oversight of the company's Annuities business.

Why did Will Fuller leave Lincoln Financial Group?

Will Fuller left to accept a senior position with a multinational life insurance company.

What experience does John Kennedy bring to his new role at Lincoln Financial Group?

John Kennedy has extensive experience in distribution from previous roles in leading firms.

What is Lincoln Financial Group's stock symbol?

The stock symbol for Lincoln Financial Group is LNC.