Press Room

Welcome to the Combined Insurance Press Room. Here you'll find executive biographies, news, press releases and other pertinent communications.

---

 

Company News

06/23/08:  Scott Tryner, National Director of Recruiting Services for Combined Insurance, offers insight into a career as an insurance agent; touching on the potential for unlimited income, flexibility, and a good deal of work autonomy. Follow the link below to Read Scott's article:
Insure Your Future: The Door of Opportunity is Open to Insurance Agents

04/01/08:  Aon Corporation announced the closing of the sale of Combined Insurance to ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE), parent company of the ACE Group of Companies, a global leader in insurance and reinsurance. This sale does not change your insurance coverage in any way. ACE joins Combined Insurance in a mutual commitment to outstanding customer service and timely claims payment. This common customer focus makes us confident that as a member of the ACE Group of Companies, we will continue our efforts to better serve you - making it a beneficial partnership for all.

---

Press Releases

By clicking on a press release, a window will open to our US website. Once you have viewed the information, please close the window to return to the Canadian website.

08/13/2010:

Making the Most of Your Insurance

02/10/2009:

Leading Insurer Recommends Insurance Review Following Annual Insurance Benefit Enrollment Period

02/04/2009:

Know Your Risk ... and Insurance Coverage ... for Heart Attacks and Strokes

01/13/2009:

Leading Insurer Reports Positive Outlook for U.S. Insurance Industry Jobs in 2009

11/18/2008:

Combined Insurance Encourages Consumers to Assess Insurance Plans and Protection During Lung Cancer Awareness Month

10/14/2008:

Combined Insurance Reports that Voluntary Programs Can Give Employers a Cost Effective Way to Offer Employee Benefits and Improve Employee Retention

View All Press Releases

---

Combined Leadership

Click on an executives name to view their biography. Or view all biographies.

Global Leadership

Douglas R. Wendt - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Douglas R. Wendt joined the senior management team of Combined Insurance in January 2006 with responsibility for revenue and policyholder growth within the company's U.S. operations. In October 2006, Mr. Wendt was named president and chief operating officer with responsibility for all support and administrative business units and in July 2007, he became president and chief executive officer with full responsibility for Combined Insurance's global operations. Mr. Wendt was named chairman and chief executive officer in January 2008.

Before joining Combined Insurance, Mr. Wendt spent 36 years with Allstate Insurance Company where he held numerous management positions in finance, claims and sales. In 2003, he was named president of the Encompass Independent Agency Organization, a subsidiary of Allstate.

Mr. Wendt currently serves on the board of directors of the Allendale Home for Children

Bill Clark - Senior Vice President, Global Claims

Mr. Clark is responsible for global claims management including identifying and implementing best practices throughout the company. He joined Combined Insurance in 2010 bringing with him nearly 30 years of technical, operational, and process re-engineering experience in claims. Prior to joining the company, he worked for ACE USA and Group Claims developing and implementing solutions to enhance the claims decision making processes and improving operational efficiency.  Prior to that, he ran a regional claims service organization for TIG. Before TIG, he held roles of increasing claims responsibility with The Hartford and Reliance National.

James L. Coleman - Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer

Prior to joining Combined Insurance in 2007, Mr. Coleman served as Chief Marketing Officer of Culligan International Company, a water treatment and filtration services company, since 2005. From 2000 to 2005, Mr. Coleman was Vice President of Marketing at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. Prior to 2000, Mr. Coleman held a variety of marketing leadership positions with Mobil Corporation.

David A. Goldberg - General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Mr. Goldberg joined Combined Insurance in 2005 and has been leading its corporate legal affairs worldwide since then. Previously, between 2000 and 2005, Mr. Goldberg served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for ChoiceParts, LLC, an automotive industry affiliate of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. From 1993 until mid-2000, Mr. Goldberg was with the Sidley & Austin law firm in Chicago where he worked on complex litigation across multiple industries, insurance/reinsurance regulatory matters and corporate reorganization. In 1999, he also served as the Acting General Counsel for the Coregis Insurance Company following its acquisition by GE Capital.

Mark Hammond - Chief Financial Officer

Mark joined Combined Insurance in 2009. His experience spans 10 years as a CFO and 15 years as an auditor in public accounting, financial services and insurance. Prior to joining the company, he was an Audit Partner at Deloitte & Touche, an international accounting and consulting firm. Most recently, he was with Aviva, one of the largest global insurance companies in the world, where he served as CFO for Aviva North America as well as holding other finance leadership positions in the U.S. and with Aviva's predecessor entities and divisions, AmerUs and AmerUs Annuity Group.

As CFO of Combined Insurance, Mark is responsible for global finance management and leadership including GAAP and statutory financial accounting and reporting, budgeting and expense management, financial analysis, investments, procurement, real estate and rating agency relationships.

Steven E. Lippai - Executive Vice President and Chief Actuary

Mr. Lippai has spent his entire career at the company, initially joining in 1971. During his time with Combined Insurance, Mr. Lippai has been involved with the complete spectrum of the accident, disability, health and life insurance products. He has managed actuarial functions, service center operations and the development of new initiatives. He currently works to improve product line performance, increase the effectiveness of Combined Insurance business units and develop product strategies for expanding operations. In addition, he initiated and manages the company's Enterprise Risk Management program.

Carlos Sierra - Chief Operating Officer, Global Services and Technology

Prior to joining Combined Insurance in 2007, Mr. Sierra was an Associate Principal at McKinsey & Company since 1998. During his time at McKinsey, Mr. Sierra worked closely with a wide variety of companies, helping them to achieve significant strategic, financial and operational improvements. Prior to joining McKinsey, Mr. Sierra held various positions in product management and sales at FMC Corporation, a diversified manufacturing company.

Todd Stevenson - Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Prior to joining Combined Insurance in May 2006, Mr. Stevenson spent 12 years at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in various senior human resources positions; recently, he was Senior Vice President of Compensation for Retail Banking. He joined First Chicago Bank in 1994, and was involved in human resources integration with the Bank One and JPMorgan Chase & Co. mergers

---

Canadian Leadership

Click on an executives name to view their biography. Or view all biographies.

Guy Sauvé - Senior Vice President, Managing Director - Canada

Guy Sauvé, joined Combined Insurance on May 10, 2010 and he holds the title of Senior Vice President, Managing Director – Canada. Mr. Sauvé is responsible for the Canadian operations. His role is to develop and execute Canada’s growth and efficiency strategies.

Formerly from Primerica Life Insurance Company of Canada, where he spent the last 16 years, first as Vice President, Quebec, then as Senior Vice President, Field Marketing.  In these roles, Mr. Sauvé was responsible for the support and development of the sales force that constantly grew under his leadership to more than 10,000 independent representatives in Canada.

Prior to his time with Primerica, Mr. Sauvé started his career in sales of financial products and served as President of a financial services start up company.  

Daniel Breton - Vice President, Divisional Manager

Mr Daniel Breton joined Combined Insurance as a Sales Representative in February 1980. In the following years, from July 1980 to November 2008, he held numerous positions such as Sales Manager, District Manager, Sub-Regional Manager and Regional Manager, in the Province of Quebec, always in the same region. In December 2008, he was promoted Vice President and Divisional Manager for the Atlantic Province and East of Quebec. Mr. Breton believes in and applies the “Aim High” and PMA concepts.

Rejean Caron - Vice President, Divisional Manager

Réjean Caron is the Vice President, Divisional Manager for the Centrale Division. Mr. Caron started his partnership with Combined Insurance as a Sales Rep in November 1983 and rose to Sub-Regional Manager in October 1988. In July 1995, he took over the Apollos Sub-Region ( Quebec). Two years later, in January 1997, he advanced to Regional Manager, East Coast Giants ( New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island). All through his many years with Combined Insurance, Mr. Caron has displayed the leadership qualities that are necessary to gain the attention and the great respect of his peers. Since September 2000, Réjean has held his present position.

Vince Iozzo - Vice President, CFO and Chief Agent for Canada

Vince Iozzo is the Vice President, CFO and Chief Agent for the Canadian Branch of Combined Insurance.

He is a professional Chartered Accountant and has been with Combined Insurance since July 1996. In April 1998, he earned his FLMI designation strengthening his insurance knowledge.

As CFO, he is responsible for finance governance and leadership in Canada, including GAAP, IFRS, statutory financial accounting and reporting, planning and forecasting, investments, procurement, real estate and rating agency relationships.

As the Chief Agent for the Canadian Branch, he oversees management and is accountable for the Branch operations including matters of corporate governance.

Anthony Mercante - Vice President, National Sales Administration

Anthony Mercante is the Vice President, National Sales Administration for Canada. Mr. Mercante joined Combined Insurance in 1978 as a Sales Representative. In 1980 he became a License and Sales Trainer. In 1982 he advanced to Regional Sales Administrator. During this time he was awarded Administrator of the Year. In 1986 Mr. Mercante moved up to the position of Divisional Sales Administrator for the nine Common Law Provinces. In September 2001 he advanced to his current position.

Roger Perry - Vice President, Divisional Manager

Roger Perry is the Vice President, Divisional Manager of the Aim High Division since July 2010. Mr. Perry joined Combined Insurance as a Sales Representative in May 1994. In December 1999, he was named Sub-Regional Manager of Newfoundland.  In June 2004, he moved up to Regional Manager (Newfoundland and Nova Scotia) and in December 2008, his role has been extended to  Prince Edward Island.  Roger has been the Top Sub Regional Manager in Canada for 5 consecutive years and # 1 Regional Manager in 2009 .Roger is very passionate about his career and the success of his people. He is a true believer in TEAMWORK and the PMA philosophy.