The Insured Retirement Institute presented Will H. Fuller, president of Lincoln Financial Group Distribution, and Kerry Geurkink, manager of annuity distribution for Securian Financial, with IRI's first annual leadership award on Monday in Williamsburg, Virginia.
IRI President and CEO Cathy Weatherford presented the awards during IRI's second annual conference, saying in a statement that "Kerry and Will have been selected by their peers in recognition for their outstanding contributions to the IRI and their efforts to advance its mission. It is clear that the IRI would not be where it is today without the contributions of our dedicated leaders like Kerry and Will."
In an interview following the ceremony, Fuller said he accepted the award on behalf of the entire Lincoln team. Fuller was elected to the IRI board of directors in 2011. Prior to joining Lincoln Financial, he led product distribution for the global wealth management division at Merrill Lynch.
"Lincoln was unique because we were [a] fully consistent provider throughout the business cycle" when it was "very difficult to advocate on behalf of variable annuities," Fuller told ThinkAdvisor.
"Lincoln is proud to support the IRI and its emphasis on advocacy and education," Fuller said. "Together, we are working to ensure that consumers continue to have access to a broad range of guaranteed income solutions, delivering wealth protection that only the insurance industry can provide."
However, Fuller said that there is "not one silver bullet" when it comes to investor education on annuities. "There's a massive need for consumer education. Our entire brand campaign is centered on having the individual take responsibility" for their retirement, said Fuller.
He added that technology is important because it gives consumers more choice. "One thing we've seen with technology is its ability — if applied properly — to offer choice and to simplify" the options that consumers have when planning for retirement.
