ORANGE COUNTY

Lincoln Savings & Loan Assn. in Irvine has changed its top management in a small reshuffling that will give the local operators more control of the institution, which is owned by American Continental Corp. of Phoenix.

Robin S. Symes is the new chairman and chief executive officer, replacing Andre A. Niebling of Phoenix, who resigned to pursue other business interests.

Symes, 34, of Laguna Niguel, had been Lincoln’s executive vice president and chief operating officer since the $4-billion S&L; was bought in 1984 by American Continental.

Ray Fidel, who had been a senior vice president of Lincoln since 1984, was appointed president and chief operating officer. Fidel, 29, of Newport Beach replaces Bruce F. Dickson of Phoenix, who was promoted to senior vice president for investments at the parent company.