Combined Insurance is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with the expansion of its market presence in some of the areas with the largest Spanish-speaking populations in the nation. Last year, the company announced the New Latino Zone that includes Puerto Rico, Florida, Illinois, Texas, California, and Arizona.
This year, the company grew to nearly 250 bilingual sales professionals who focus on Spanish-speaking customers in their communities. By early 2017, Combined Insurance plans to expand to 400 bilingual sales professionals in the Latino Zone. In addition, to support this growth, bilingual corporate hires have increased—33 percent of corporate employees hired so far in 2016, located at the corporate offices in Glenview and Chicago, Ill., are bilingual in English and Spanish.
The Latino Zone is led by three Regional Directors, two of whom were recently promoted—Miguel Cruz and Modesto Flores.
Miguel Cruz, Regional Director, U.S. Sales, began his career with Combined Insurance in 2013 where he grew the sales market in Florida to more than 150 sales professionals in just three years. Cruz said the Florida market represents a blend of cultures with sales professionals from Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, and more.
"We had a dream to build a Latino salesforce at Combined Insurance. With more than 55 million Hispanics and Latinos living in the United States, our goal was to create an opportunity for Latinos who want a professional career," said Cruz. "Our sales agents and managers in Florida represent a blend of many backgrounds—this is a great time to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and continue recognizing their accomplishments and contributions to our organization."
The Latino market expansion continues with the states of California and Texas led by Modesto Flores, Regional Director, U.S. Sales. Flores has been in the insurance industry for 17 years, specializing in life insurance.
"We are proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and honor those who have made great strides to make our company a welcoming and inclusive employer for all Hispanics and Latinos," said Flores. "Combined Insurance has created an opportunity for Spanish-speaking individuals who want to help members of their communities and provide them with valuable services in the language they prefer."
Combined Insurance has an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau and an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating by A.M. Best. The company has also been recognized for six consecutive years on Ward's 50® Top Performing Health-Life Insurance Companies list. Most recently, Combined Insurance was recognized as a Top Diversity Employer by Hispanic Network Magazine for the second consecutive year.
L to R Modesto Flores, Regional Director, US Sales, Miguel Cruz, Regional Director, US Sales, Doug Abercrombie, Chief Agency Officer, and Miguel Torres, Market Director.
