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Exit Scrambles Fidelity Succession Picture

Mutual-fund giant loses possible heir apparent

By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 8, 2007 10:33 AM CDT

(Newser) – A top Fidelity Investments exec has resigned her post, reigniting speculation about the closely held firm's line of succession, reports the Wall Street Journal. Ellyn McColgan, 53, who was president of a division of the largest American mutual-fund company, was seen as a front-runner in the race to succeed 77-year-old Ned Johnson.

The abrupt departure came soon after the hiring of marketing guru Rodger Lawson, who was brought in over McColgan's head. "She had to pay a toll through Lawson to get to Ned—a toll she never had to pay before," says the editor of an independent Fidelity newsletter. The only other acknowledged possible heir apparent is Johnson's daughter, Abigail.

Fidelity Investments CEO Edward Ned Johnson III is shown Nov. 15, 2003, at a benefit ball in Boston. A management reshuffling Thursday, April 19, 2007, left Johnson still firmly in charge of the investment firm he has led for three decades, and gave no signs that he's about to turn...
Fidelity Investments CEO Edward "Ned" Johnson III is shown Nov. 15, 2003, at a benefit ball in Boston. A management reshuffling Thursday, April 19, 2007, left Johnson still firmly in charge of the investment...   (Associated Press)
This October 2004 file photo provided by Fidelity Investments shows Ellyn McColgan. McColgan, who was head of Fidelity Investments Distribution and Operations, resigned immediately to pursue opportunities outside of the company, the company said Tuesday. The move eliminates one of the two candidates considered most likely to eventually replace 77-year-old...
This October 2004 file photo provided by Fidelity Investments shows Ellyn McColgan. McColgan, who was head of Fidelity Investments Distribution and Operations, resigned immediately "to pursue opportunities...   (Associated Press)
This undated photograph provided by Fidelity Investments shows Rodger Lawson, a longtime Prudential Financial executive, who was named president of FMR Corp., the holding company for Fidelity's businesses. (AP Photo/Fidelity Investments)
This undated photograph provided by Fidelity Investments shows Rodger Lawson, a longtime Prudential Financial executive, who was named president of FMR Corp., the holding company for Fidelity's businesses....   (Associated Press)
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