Lincoln Financial Group's Retirement Plan Services business announced strategic new hires in its Institutional Retirement Distribution (IRD) team focused on leading efforts to grow Lincoln's retirement plan presence in the government sector. Richard Snyder, Paul Davidson and Andrew Whiting all join as Sales Directors and report to Michael Hall, IRD National Sales Director. Richard Snyder has more than 18 years of experience in the sales, marketing, education, retention and administration of institutional retirement plans.

Prior to joining the company, he was vice president and national sales manager for AXA Equitable where he was responsible for retirement plan sales in the governmental and union markets. In addition, he held sales positions at The Hartford and Nationwide Retirement Solutions. Paul Davidson has as more than 19 years of experience in the sales, service and implementation of 457(b), 401(a), 403(b) and 401(k) retirement plans.

Prior to joining the company, he was vice president at Natixis Global Asset Management in the Retirement Strategy Group. He also held leadership positions for Neuberger Berman and The Hartford in the government sector. Andrew Whiting comes to the company from AXA Equitable's employer-sponsored retirement plans were he was a regional vice president.

Previously, he was regional sales director for The Hartford responsible for managing sales and retention of 457(b) and 401(a) plans for government retirement plans in 16 states in the Eastern United States.