Press Room

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

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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.

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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.

02/10/09:

Leading Insurer Recommends Insurance Review Following Annual Insurance Benefit Enrollment Period

02/04/09:

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

01/13/09:

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

11/18/08:

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

10/14/08:

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

09/29/08:

Combined Insurance Encourages Women to Assess Insurance Plans & Protection During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

View All Press Releases

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Executive Biographies

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.

Larry Cohen - Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Cohen joined Combined Insurance in 2008. His experience spans public accounting, financial services and insurance. Previously he was with PricewaterhouseCoopers' tax department in New York ultimately becoming a partner. He later joined The MONY Group as tax director then became its Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer and also served as Chief Financial Officer of MONY's distribution segment. Currently Mr. Cohen is responsible for GAAP and statutory financial accounting and reporting, budgeting and expense management, financial analysis, investments, procurement, real estate and rating agency relationships.

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.

Ralph Gaudio - Senior Vice President, Chief Agency Officer

Mr. Gaudio began his career in the insurance industry as a sales agent with Hearthstone Insurance Company, formerly part of Combined Insurance. In the more than 30 years since, he has held numerous sales leadership positions with Washington National Insurance, Kansas City Life and AIG. In his current role, Mr. Gaudio has responsibility for the global sales strategy to ensure coordination, efficiency and effectiveness.

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.

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

Jacques Thibaudeau - Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Canada

Jacques Thibaudeau holds the title of Executive Vice President, Managing Director - Canada. Mr. Thibaudeau is responsible for two units in Canada - 7th Essential Accident & Health, Life & Health. Mr. Thibaudeau began with Combined Insurances in October, 1977. Within three months, he moved from Sales Rep to Territory Manager by building an efficient and effective team. In 1981 he won the North American Annual Award as Sub-Regional Manager of Diamonds (Québec). In 1982, Mr. Thibaudeau advanced to Regional Manager – Lions Region (Québec) and in 1984; he took over the Stars Region (Québec). In December 1992, he became the Divisional Manager for all of Québec and then in January 1996, he moved up to Resident Vice President – Canadian Operations. In 2003, he was assigned to the position of Senior Vice President, Managing Director - Canada.

In 2006, he was promoted to his current position.

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.

Art Greco - Vice President, Divisional Manager

Art Greco joined Combined Insurance as a Sales Representative in April 1974 in Kelowna, British Columbia. Since joining Combined Insurance Mr. Greco has worked his way through every position to present as Vice President-Divisional Manager of the four Western Provinces in Canada. Mr. Greco has managed British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario as an Executive. He is a strong believer in Ethics, Training and the Power of Positive Thinking. He is a published author of a Self-Development book called "Open Sesame" and has earned great respect among those whom he works with.

Vince Iozzo - Chief Agent for Canada

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

He achieved his Chartered Accountant designation in 1992 and joined Combined Insurance in July 1996. In April 1998, he was appointed Assistant Vice President and Controller Canadian Operations. Later that same year he earned his FLMI designation.

As Controller, his financial responsibilities extended into regulatory compliance for both life and P&C underwriting units in Canada, Combined Insurance and Virginia Surety Company respectively.

In 2006, he was appointed an additional title of Chief Compliance Officer wherein he was responsible for developing and maintaining our state of the art Compliance Management Systems as well as fulfilling our regulatory reporting responsibilities.

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.

Barry White - Vice President, Divisional Manager

Barry White is the Vice President, Divisional Manager for the 7th Essential, Accident, Health and Life, Aim High Division. Mr. White joined Combined as a Sales Representative in March 1971. In January 1976, Mr. White advanced to Sub-Regional Manager, for Nova Scotia and in January 1980, he took over the position of Assistant Regional Manager for New Brunswick. Barry is a “forward thinker” and in July 1985 he moved up to Regional Manager (Nova Scotia and Newfoundland). Barry is a strong believer in PMA and the Combined Insurance way and has earned great respect within the company. Since November 1993, Barry has held his present position.