IRVINE, Calif., July 10, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Burnham Benefits Insurance Services - one of the most highly respected and growing industry leaders in the California employee benefits brokerage space - today announced that Sara Owens has joined the organization as Vice President of Corporate Development.  Owens has more than 13 years of experience working as a sales executive in the upstream sector of the insurance industry.

Owens is responsible for leading new business strategy and execution. The key focus is to strengthen the sales unit, recruit new talent, enhance key carrier engagement, build a network of centers of influence, and optimize new products and services. With a proven track record as a sales leader, Owens will be instrumental with team building and training on consultative techniques to maximize opportunities in both verticals of the employee benefits and property and casualty markets. Kris Allison, President & CEO, commented: “We are pleased to welcome Sara to Burnham. She is a leader with people’s interest at heart and I know she will elevate our business teams to new heights.”  She added: “Creating the new Corporate Development position comes at an exciting time in Burnham’s growth. Her entrepreneurial spirit, broad insurance expertise, network connections in the business, and strategic initiatives will make her successful.”

Prior to joining Burnham, Owens was a senior vice president at HUB International leading the small business departments for Los Angeles. She also held a key position at HUB where she was integral in optimizing key constituent relationships, sales development and acquisition opportunities. While at HUB, she created and launched a professional development program for women to help them become their “CEO” of their careers.” Owens started her career as a sales executive at UNUM and after that spent seven years at GNW-Evergreen as vice president of sales.

Owens earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from the Farmer School of Business at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Owens is passionate about giving back to the community.  She volunteers at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation. In addition, two notable accomplishments include the creation of Game Guard, a risk management and insurance program tailored to the video game industry and she authored a chapter on insurance for the American Bar Association’s book; “The Business of Video Games.”

Owens said: "I am very excited to join Burnham, it’s not a typical place. It is a forward-thinking, entrepreneurial organization with a rich culture that offers growth and an environment to thrive – the ideal place for me. I’m happy that I am now part of this dynamic team and I look forward to new challenges.”

About Burnham Benefits Insurance Services: Burnham Benefits Insurance Services, Inc. is a privately held, full-service strategic employee benefits consulting, and brokerage firm based in Irvine, California, with seven offices throughout the state offering comprehensive client-first strategic solutions. The closely held nature of Burnham allows its leadership to easily adapt and create customized programs 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 changing business climate demands. Burnham goes  Well Beyond Benefits  with its cadre of highly skilled industry professionals providing unmatched personal service. Retirement Consulting and Wealth Management services are also offered through our strategic partnership with Burnham Gibson Wealth Advisors, Inc. Burnham is a certified Benefits Corporation (B Corp), holds national recognition as one of the Best Places to Work in Insurance by Business Insurance for the past five years, and has been ranked as one of the Best Places to Work by the Orange County Business Journal for seven years running. For 2017, Burnham was ranked #37 nationally in the large-group market by the  Employee Benefit Adviser’s  Advisers of the Year. For more information, visit  www.BurnhamBenefits.com

CONTACT: Rosa White Marketing and Communications Consultant 213.788.7565 white@burnhambenefits.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...fe3a4e9d45