People: Lincoln National Corp (LNC)

Mr. William J. Avery is Independent Director of Lincoln National Corp. In 2001, Mr. Avery retired from Crown Cork & Seal, a manufacturer of packaging products for consumer goods. Mr. Avery began his career as a management trainee with Crown Cork & Seal in 1959 in the Chicago plant while he completed his studies at the University of Chicago. He attained successively more responsible positions with the company as plant manager, area manufacturing manager and vice president of sales in the Mid-West Division. In 1974, he was appointed corporate vice president of sales. He was appointed senior vice president in 1976 and in 1981 he became president and chief operating officer. In 1989, he became chief executive officer and, in 1990, he assumed the additional position of chairman of the board. Through his experience as the former President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Crown, Cork & Seal (now Crown Holdings, Inc.).