GLENVIEW, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

In keeping with its commitment to support the needs of our nation's military veterans and spouses, Combined Insurance, a leading provider of individual supplemental accident, disability, health and life insurance products, and an ACE Group company, announced today that Art Kandarian, retired Colonel, U.S. Army has joined Combined Insurance as vice president sales.

As vice president of sales for military markets, Kandarian will be responsible for executing on the company's growth strategy and developing Combined Insurance's nationwide military sales markets, as well as leading the integration of those markets with the company's military veteran recruiting initiatives. Kandarian will report to Doug Abercrombie, senior vice president and chief agency officer for Combined Insurance.

Kandarian, who retired from the U.S. Army in 2013, most recently served as chief of staff for NATO Special Operations Component Command/Special Operations Joint Task Force. There he was responsible for the training, synchronization and leadership of more than 350 staff members from 20 coalition countries. While serving as an infantry brigade combat team commander for the U.S. Army, the organization was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the nation's highest organizational award for valor due to the brigade's significant achievements in combat in Afghanistan during the surge of 2010.

“Art has more than 27 years of experience leading large, complex, and multidisciplinary military organizations and initiatives domestically and globally,” said Abercrombie. “With that, he brings to Combined Insurance a unique leadership perspective, as well as the ability to lead from the front and develop people to achieve their very best. I am confident he will be a tremendous asset to our sales and recruiting teams.”

Kandarian holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in East Asian Studies from Washington and Lee University, and a Master of Science degree from Air War College.

As a leading supplemental insurance provider, Combined Insurance is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, as well as A.M. Best, one of the world's top insurance rating and information firms. Combined Insurance also has been recognized for five consecutive years as a top performing life-health insurance company on Ward's 50, a list of the top performing insurance companies that have achieved outstanding results in the areas of safety, consistency and financial performance over a five year period. In addition, the company ranks sixth on G.I. Jobs magazine's list of top 100 military friendly employers.

For more information on Combined Insurance visit www.combinedinsurance.com. For more information on the company's military veterans recruiting efforts and to view our military recruiting success story video, visit www.combinedinsurance.com/military.

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About Combined Insurance

Combined Insurance is a leading provider of individual supplemental accident, disability, health and life insurance products and an ACE Group 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, call 1-800-490-1322 or visit www.combinedinsurance.com.

About ACE

ACE Group is one of the world's largest multiline property and casualty insurers. With operations in 54 countries, ACE provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. ACE Limited, the parent company of ACE Group, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ACE) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Additional information can be found at: www.acegroup.com.