Lincoln Financial Network Announces 2016 Planners of the Year

Lincoln Financial Network (LFN), the retail wealth management affiliate of Lincoln Financial Group LNC, today announced its 2016 Planners of the Year, awarded annually to the leading financial planners from among thousands affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. This year's award winners are Gary Katz, CFP®, of Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors in Paramus, NJ, Mike Lockwood, CFP^®, CRPC^®, of Lincoln Financial Advisors in Irvine, Calif. and Peter Maller, CFP®, AEP®, of Maller Wealth Advisors in Hunt Valley, Md.

"Gary, Mike and Peter are outstanding financial planners and well deserving of this recognition," said John DiMonda, SVP, head of Lincoln Financial Advisors. "Their tireless dedication and commitment to serving their clients' needs and crafting solutions that deliver the best possible outcomes has earned them this prestigious award. We are proud to have such tremendous individuals as part of Lincoln Financial Advisors."

Gary Katz

Katz, Wealth Preservation Specialist of Sagemark Consulting, and registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors (LFA), has been named Planner of the Year, making this his fourth time receiving this award since 2009.

Katz 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 one percent of all Sagemark Planners. Katz 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.

Katz earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ (CFP^®). Katz's office is located in Paramus, N.J.

Mike Lockwood

Lockwood, investment advisor representative and registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors (LFA), has been named Planner of the Year since its inception in 2014.

Lockwood joined LFA in 1987. Within his practice, Lockwood focuses on retirement transition planning and wealth management for executives, retirees, healthcare professionals, and government employees. Lockwood has been a Retirement Plan Services Advisor with Lincoln for 8 years, and is a two-time recipient of Lincoln's American Award for outstanding business performance, community service and commitment to family.

Lockwood earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business marketing and finance from California State University in Bakersfield, Calif. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ (CFP^®) and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC^®) designations, as well as the FINRA series 7 registration. Lockwood's office is located at 18400 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 550, Irvine, Calif.

Peter Maller

Maller, founder and president of Maller Wealth Advisors, and registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors (LFA), has been named Planner of the Year, making this his eighth time receiving the award in the past 10 years.

With more than 23 years of experience in the financial planning industry, Maller provides investment strategies, financial planning, risk management services, business succession planning and employee benefits to business owners, professionals and high-net-worth individuals.

Maller received a Master of Business Administration degree from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla. and Bachelor of Arts degree in business management from Washington College in Chestertown, Md. Maller holds the professional designations of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®) and FINRA series 6, 7, 63 and 65 registrations. Maller's office is located at 307 International Circle, Suite 530, Hunt Valley, Md.

About Lincoln Financial Advisors

Lincoln Financial Network is the marketing name for the retail and financial planning affiliates of Lincoln Financial Group and includes Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation and Lincoln Financial Advisors, both members of FINRA and SIPC. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group (headquartered in the Philadelphia region) offers: annuities; life, group life and disability insurance; 401(k) and 403(b) plans; savings plans; mutual funds; managed accounts; institutional investments; 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. Maller Wealth Advisors is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.

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