Burnham Benefits and CEO Kristen Allison Receive Top Honors From Orange County Business Journal

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwired - Jul 6, 2015) - Burnham Benefits Insurance Services, one of California's most successful employee benefits brokerage firms, is proud to announce both the firm and its President and CEO, Kristen Allison, have been recognized by the Orange County Business Journal for outstanding achievements in business. Allison, honored as one of five exceptional professional women who have made significant contributions to their organizations, their professions and the Orange County community, was selected from of a field of hundreds of distinguished nominees from a broad spectrum of industries -- including finance, nonprofit, real estate, law, technology, fashion and beauty -- while the firm she had led for 20 years earned high rankings among the Best Places to Work.

Allison accepted the prestigious Women in Business award before a crowd of more than 800 at the 21st Annual Women in Business Awards Luncheon held Tuesday, June 23, at the Hotel Irvine. "Receiving both of these awards in the same year is quite an honor, and a call to all women to follow their dreams," said Allison, who as a young woman worked her way up through the ranks to a successful business owner. "Twenty years ago, when I acquired the benefits practice of John Burnham & Company, it had been an industry mainstay for more than 50 years. Significantly growing and improving upon a company with that level of visibility and success, was a challenge. Yet, here I stand today as an example of what women -- and a privately-held firm -- can achieve."

As an increasing number of insurance brokerage firms evaluate their options to maintain a successful business model in today's post-reform environment, Burnham Benefits sets an example not only for the industry but also for countless entrepreneurs and women hoping to achieve their goals and fulfill their dreams in spite of the obstacles of the day. As proprietor of one of the largest female-owned employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the western region, with an employee retention rate of nearly 100 percent, Allison has blazed a trail while bringing Burnham Benefits Insurance Services from a staff of 13 and revenues of 2.5 million in 2005 to revenues of 17.5 million in 2014 -- an achievement she attributes to both strong relationships within the industry and her current staff of more than 75 highly skilled industry professionals who manage more than $1.5 billion in premiums in Orange County, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sacramento and San Diego, as well as satellites in Arizona and the Washington D.C. metro area.

In an industry where many people are working just for today, Burnham's focus has always been on building relationships and giving back. Active in the Orange County community, Allison and members of her staff have taken on large roles with charitable organizations such as The United Way Women's Philanthropy Fund and Mustard Seed Ranch, a non-profit organization that provides programming and equine-assisted therapy for abused and neglected children in Southern California. Allison has also served as chairperson for Insuring the Children and is a board member of both Cal State Fullerton's Center for Insurance Studies and the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation, a non-profit association of insurance industry professionals working to fund child abuse prevention programs.

"I have always held the belief that when people are truly passionate about their work and feel appreciated for what they do, it carries over into every aspect of their lives, not just with clients, vendors and associates," adds Allison, whose firm holds national recognitions, including rankings among the top 50 large group benefit brokerages in the U.S. in 2014 (Employee Benefit Advisor) and Business Insurance's #1 "Best Places to Work in Insurance" (2013 and 2014), as well as high ranking among the "Best Places to Work" by the Orange County Business Journal for five years running. "While achievements in business are certainly rewarding, Burnham Benefits takes great pride in supporting a tremendous staff and mentoring the countless men and women in business who possess unlimited potential for success in every field."

To learn more, visit www.burnhambenefits.com.

ABOUT BURNHAM BENEFITS INSURANCE SERVICES: Burnham Benefits Insurance Services, Inc. is a privately held, full-service employee benefits consulting and brokerage firm headquartered in Irvine, Calif. The firm is among the largest in the state to specialize solely in strategic employee benefits consulting and brokerage services. With a comprehensive offering of client-first health and wellness programs, Burnham effectively manages more than $1.5 billion in premiums for more than 400 clients. The firm maintains a more than 97 percent client retention rate and has averaged 25 percent growth every year over the past 10 years. Because Burnham Benefits does not have outside shareholders, it can easily adapt and create customized solutions that fit clients' best interests -- investing in cutting edge technology and the tools and resources needed to provide the specialized level of service that today's rapidly, challenging climate demands. Its team of more than 75 highly skilled industry professionals includes in-house underwriters, compliance officers, healthcare reform consultants, communications specialists and wellness experts. Through a strategic partnership with Burnham Gibson Financial Group, Burnham also provides retirement planning and wealth management services. Burnham Benefits' footprint currently spans offices in Orange County, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sacramento and San Diego, Calif. as well as satellites in Arizona and the Washington D.C. metro area. Burnham Benefits holds national recognition as Business Insurance's #1 Best Places to Work in Insurance 2013 and 2014 and has been ranked a Best Place to Work by the Orange County Business Journal for five years running. For more information, visit www.BurnhamBenefits.com.