The Standard Appoints Rick Johnstone to Senior Vice President of National Accounts Sales and Client Management, and Paul Gardner to Senior Vice President of Regional Accounts Sales and Client Management

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) today announced the appointment of two senior workplace benefits experts to lead its expanded sales and client management teams. Rick Johnstone has been appointed senior vice president of National Accounts Sales and Client Management. Paul Gardner has been appointed senior vice president of Regional Accounts Sales and Client Management.

Johnstone joined The Standard in 1998 and in his new role will lead Sales and Client Management for the company’s newly established national accounts practice. Most recently, he was senior vice president of Employee Benefits Sales and Client Management. In addition to sales leadership roles at The Standard, Johnstone has sales experience at Unum. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Gardner joined The Standard in April 2025 and in his new role will lead Sales and Client Management for the regional accounts practice. Most recently, he was executive vice president of Distribution at Allstate Benefits. He also has prior sales leadership experience at New York Life and Cigna Group Insurance. Gardner holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Leadership Studies from the University of Richmond in Richmond, VA.

“With the successful integration of the best-in-class voluntary products from our Allstate Benefits acquisition — our second significant acquisition in two years — The Standard is entering a new era,” said David Payne, executive vice president of Employee Benefits. “We have built a unified offering that truly sets us apart, and I’m pleased that our comprehensive suite of benefits will be represented in the market by two extraordinary leaders. The Standard continues to redefine the workplace benefits experience and provide new capabilities to employers of all sizes, including large employers who require a deeper level of expertise and flexibility.”

Effective Jan. 1, 2026, The Standard is incorporating the suite of voluntary products from the American Heritage Employer Voluntary Benefits business (formerly Allstate Benefits) with its full array of existing core Life, Disability, Guaranteed Standard Issue Individual Disability and Retirement Plans benefits. This integration will deliver one of the broadest benefit offerings available in the marketplace.

About The Standard

Established in 1906, The Standard is a family of companies dedicated to helping customers achieve financial well-being and peace of mind. We are a leading provider of financial protection products and services for employers and individual customers. Our products include group and individual disability insurance, group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, group dental and group vision insurance, absence management and paid family leave services, retirement plans products and services and annuities for employers and individual customers. For more information about The Standard, visit standard.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.