Press Release

IRI Announces New Board Chair

Issued by Insured Retirement Institute [IRI]

Feb. 21, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) today announced that John Kennedy, Senior Vice President, Head of Retirement Solutions Distribution at Lincoln Financial Distributors, is the new chair of the association’s board of directors.  

“John has thirty years of demonstrated commitment, leadership, and advocacy in the retirement income industry and has served on IRI’s board of directors for several years,” said Wayne Chopus, IRI President and CEO. “His passion and dedication will be a valuable asset to our organization as we navigate a still uncertain time for our industry and nation after 2020’s unprecedented challenges.”

The IRI Executive Committee voted for Kennedy to assume the board chair role last week. The full IRI board of directors is expected to ratify the executive committee decision next month.

“The Lincoln Financial team shares John’s commitment and excitement to help lead IRI and our industry, which aspires to help all American families achieve financial peace of mind in retirement,” said Will Fuller, Executive Vice President and President of Annuities, Lincoln Financial Distributors and Lincoln Financial Network.

Fuller is a former IRI board member and recipient of IRI’s Leadership Award in 2014 and IRI’s 2019 Industry Champion of Retirement Security Award.

“We are fortunate to have such a deep well of talented leaders who are committed to IRI’s mission and vision and who are willing to contribute their time, energy, and guidance to move our industry forward,” Chopus said. “We welcome John’s leadership as the new IRI board chair and look forward to the continued collaboration of our entire executive committee and board of directors to advance our strategic goals and objectives in the coming year.”

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