Combined Insurance Honored as Number One Military Friendly Employer for Second Consecutive Year
Award ceremony in Chicago brings out public officials and other veteran leaders
Award ceremony in Chicago brings out public officials and other veteran leaders
GLENVIEW, Ill., Jan. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Combined Insurance, a leading provider of individual supplemental accident, disability, health and life insurance products, and a Chubb company, is the Number One Military Friendly® Employer in the country again for 2016. Representatives from G.I. Jobs® magazine, producers of the Top 100 Military Friendly® Employer list, recognized Combined Insurance for its achievement at an award ceremony held at the Chicago Cultural Center last week.
Since launching its veteran recruiting program in 2010, Combined Insurance has hired more than 2,500 veterans and those with a military background, and is committed to hiring 2,800 more by the end of 2017. In 2015 alone, 34 percent of Combined Insurance's new hires had military backgrounds.
"I have had the privilege of watching our veteran recruiting program evolve into the success it is today. The military veterans we have welcomed to our team have made valuable contributions and enhance the environment of our entire organization," said Brad Bennett, President of Combined Insurance. "We believe in our military veterans and want to give back to them by providing meaningful career opportunities. Our commitment to veterans is strong at Combined Insurance—it is embedded in the very culture of our company."
Combined Insurance is the only Illinois-based company to be ranked number one on the Top 100 list, and 2016 marks the second consecutive year that the company finished in first place on the list of Military Friendly® Employers. Competition for inclusion on the Top 100 list is strong, as more than 5,000 eligible companies with military recruitment programs are considered every year.
"A veteran's transition out of the military into their next chapter can be a daunting one. Combined Insurance is making that transition smoother for veterans across Illinois by providing them with career opportunities and a support network to ensure their success," said Erica Jeffries, Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs. "Combined Insurance is setting an example in veteran hiring that companies across America should follow."
Jeffries shared her remarks at the Combined Insurance Military Friendly Employer ceremony, where more than 100 Combined Insurance leaders and employees, veterans, and representatives from veteran-related organizations attended to celebrate Combined Insurance's number one ranking.
Chris Hale, Chairman and Co-founder of Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs®, spoke about Combined Insurance and extended the number one recognition on behalf of his organization. Victory Media has published the Top Military Friendly® Employers for the past 13 years, announcing the 2016 list in November of last year. This marks the fifth consecutive year Combined Insurance ranked in the Top 100, the fourth time in the top 10, and second consecutive year as number one.
Joseph Pennington, National Military Program Manager at Combined Insurance, started the veteran recruiting program when he joined the company six years ago. Reflecting on the program's growth, Pennington said, "I am proud to say that we have created an initiative focused on a holistic and high-quality employment experience for veterans. We are committed to the ongoing development, training, hiring, and mentoring of our veterans, and I am continually impressed by the dedication and commitment the leadership at Combined Insurance has made to make this program what it is today."
Representative Bob Dold (R-IL 10th District) acknowledged Combined Insurance's efforts earlier this month in a speech he made on the floor of the House of Representatives. Those remarks were presented in a video at the Military Friendly® Employer Ceremony. Representative Dold said, "Brad Bennett and his leadership team know that service members at any rank offer employers skills such as discipline, independent work ethic, and commitment. They actively recruit from all levels of the military, offering opportunities for former officers and those from the enlisted ranks. We need more organizations to emulate Combined Insurance and their unwavering efforts to support our nation's veterans."
Other notable guests included: Cook County Director of Veteran Affairs Bill Browne; Richton Park Mayor Rick Reinbold; Alison Ruble, President and CEO of the USO of Illinois; and former Chicago White Sox and military veteran Carlos May. Former Chicago Bear Jason McKie could not attend, but sent along a congratulatory video on behalf of the Jason McKie Foundation, which provides emergency support for military families. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) could not attend, but also shared his support via a video presented to attendees. Senator Kirk said, "The best way to help a veteran is to get that veteran a job. I want to thank Combined Insurance and Brad Bennett for all that he has done to help our veterans find good jobs."
In addition to providing meaningful employment, Combined Insurance also gives back to several veteran charities in both time and resources—including Luke's Wings, the Fisher House Foundation, Snowball Express, and the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation.
About Combined Insurance
Combined Insurance Company of America is a leading provider of individual supplemental accident, disability, health and life insurance products and a Chubb company. With a field sales force and corporate staff in excess of 5,000 people worldwide, Combined Insurance meets the growing coverage needs of policyholders around the globe. For more information about Combined Insurance products and/or career opportunities, call 1-800-490-1322 or visit www.combinedinsurance.com.
About the New Chubb
Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. The company is distinguished by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength, underwriting excellence, superior claims handling expertise and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London and other locations, and employs approximately 30,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: new.chubb.com.
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SOURCE Combined Insurance
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