Lincoln Financial Network Announces Top Three 2012 Advisors

PHILADELPHIA, July 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Lincoln Financial Network (LFN), the retail private client division of Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE: LNC) today announced its top three 2012 advisors: Gary Katz, Peter Maller, and Marilen Versaggi.

The annual award is the highest acknowledgment of the firm for financial advisors and reflects the dedication they consistently share with clients throughout the country. LFN has more than 8,000 affiliated advisors.

"These individuals have followed different paths to success, yet share common traits of our most successful advisors – ongoing commitment to their clients," said David Berkowitz, President of Lincoln Financial Network. "I applaud their outstanding work and thank them for their contributions to Lincoln."

Katz, a Wealth Preservation Specialist at Sagemark Consulting, was named the Lincoln Financial Group (LFG) Planner of the Year for the second time. He won the LFG Planner of the Year award in 2009.

With 25 years in the industry, Katz, 50, began his career at Bankers Trust Company. He joined the Sagemark Consulting management team in 1988 and established his own practice in 1994. Currently, Katz is a "Prestige Planner" in the Sagemark Consulting Private Wealth Services Group, which comprises less than 1 percent of all Sagemark Planners. He specializes in helping retired individuals, owners of closely held businesses and other successful professionals satisfy charitable desires, and efficiently transfer their assets to future generations.

He earned a bachelor of business administration in finance from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. He is currently based in Paramus, NJ.

Maller, a Wealth Advisor and Managing Partner at Heritage Financial Consultants, LLC, has been named Lincoln Financial Advisors (LFA) Planner of the Year for the fifth time.  He was named Planner of the Year in 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011.

With more than 20 years of experience in the financial planning industry, Maller, 46, specializes in working with successful business owners, professionals, and high net-worth individuals throughout the U.S. He is a qualified member of the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table, an international, independent association of the world's leading life insurance and financial services professionals, and has achieved "Top of the Table" status, ranking him in the top half of 1 percent in the industry. Maller has often educated the public on financial matters through his participation in local radio and television shows.

He is a Certified Financial Planner™ Professional, having earned his designation through the College for Financial Planning, and holds FINRA Series 6, 7, 63 and 65.  He also is Life, Accident and Health insurance licensed. Maller received his master of business administration from Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL and completed his undergraduate degree at Washington College, graduating magna cum laude. Maller is currently based in Baltimore, MD.

Versaggi, an Investment Strategist and General Agent with Lincoln's General Agency (GA) Channel, was named Lincoln Financial Group (LFG) Advisor of the Year for the first time.

Versaggi has been a prominent producer in the financial services industry for more than 20 years and chose to affiliate with the GA Channel just over five years ago. Throughout her career, she has been a leader in the industry, helping high net-worth individuals and families to develop financial plans that incorporate investments and life insurance as part of their financial strategies.

Versaggi is licensed for Life and Health Insurance. She received a bachelor of science in english and minor in psychology from the College of the Holy Spirit Manila, Manila, Philippines. Versaggi has offices in Greenwich, CT and Jupiter, FL.

About Lincoln Financial Network
Lincoln Financial Network is the marketing name for the retail sales and financial planning affiliates of Lincoln Financial Group and includes Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation, both members of FINRA and SIPC. Consisting of approximately 8,000 representatives, agents, and full-service financial planners throughout the United States, Lincoln Financial Network professionals can offer financial planning and advisory services, retirement services, life products, annuities, investments, and trust services to affluent individuals, business owners, and families. Heritage Financial Consultants LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.

About Lincoln Financial Group
Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) and its affiliates. With headquarters in the Philadelphia region, the companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $186 billion as of March 31, 2013. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; life, group life, disability and dental insurance; employer-sponsored retirement plans; savings plans; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit www.LincolnFinancial.com.

For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit www.LincolnFinancial.com. CRN201307-2082492

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SOURCE Lincoln Financial Group