Nationwide Brings in Distribution Head

Rich Porter has been named leader of Nationwide Retirement Solutions Distribution, replacing Craig Hawley, effective October 28. Hawley recently transitioned to lead Nationwide’s annuity business.

Porter joins Nationwide Retirement Solutions after leading the company’s Annuity Distribution Brokerage team for the past two years. In his new role, he will oversee teams responsible for driving new plan acquisition, retention and relationship management. He will report to Eric Stevenson, president of Nationwide Retirement Solutions.

“It’s great to have a sales leader with a proven track record of delivering results and strong partnerships for Nationwide join the Retirement Solutions team,” said Stevenson. “Rich brings a wealth of financial services experience and expertise, consistently driving sustained growth and innovation – most recently helping to deliver multiple years of record-breaking annuity sales for Nationwide.”

Before joining Nationwide, Porter served as vice president and divisional sales manager for the Advisor Channel at Prudential Financial, where he led an external wholesaler team and served as a thought leader throughout the organization, with responsibility for sales management, team building and compliance. Prior to that, he practiced law in the Tax, Finance and Bankruptcy Group at Greenebaum, Doll & McDonald in Louisville, KY.

Porter earned his undergraduate degree and Juris Doctorate from the University of Louisville, and a Presidents and Key Executive MBA from Pepperdine University. He also holds FINRA Series 6, 26, 63 and 65 licenses, as well as life and health designations.