Kristen Mauger Allison

Kristen Mauger Allison is the President and Owner of Burnham Benefits Insurance Services. Kristen acquired the benefits practice of John Burnham & Company and formed Burnham Benefits in 1995 after spending the previous four years as their top benefits advisor. Prior to joining John Burnham & Company, Kristen spent eight years as Vice President of Willis Coroon, a national brokerage firm. At Willis, Kristen tripled the size of the benefits operation and served on many Willis internal and industry advisory boards.

Kristen has been in the benefit practice and consulting segment of the insurance industry since 1981 and has served in all functional capacities on both the carrier and advisory sides. Her in-depth industry knowledge extends to working with clients on both a regional and national level while bringing “best practices” to the firm through focusing solely on employee benefits consulting and brokerage services.

At Burnham, Kristen is responsible for overall leadership, management, practice consultant recruiting and strategic planning. She maintains key relationships with leaders in the vendor marketplace to ensure that the firm and the clients are educated on the issues and trends in the market and that current products and technologies are being appropriately considered and utilized. As a result of her experience and reputation, Kristen serves on several broker advisory boards.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, she has continued to serve the community and the industry through a number of charitable organizations, including Chairperson for Insuring the Children, The Women’s Philanthropy Fund and Mustard Seed Ranch. Kristen resides in Corona del Mar with her husband Bob, and together they have four children ranging in ages from 28 to 21.

Nooshin Beik

Nooshin is a Senior Account Executive at Burnham Benefits Insurance Services with nine years of employee benefit experience. She is responsible for new business development and overall strategic planning and management of her client accounts. Nooshin negotiates the benefit renewals, oversees marketing analysis and ensures her accounts’ compliance. She maintains relationships with the leaders in the vendor marketplace and ensures that her clients are well-educated on the most current products, technology and trends in the benefits field.

Prior to joining Burnham in 2003, Nooshin began her insurance career at Great-West Life Insurance Company as a sales executive for self-funded medical and dental plans as well as 401(k) retirement plans. She obtained her Series 6 & 63 licenses at that time.

Nooshin has extensive knowledge of the benefit and financial markets, including market trends, plan designs, pricing, funding alternatives, contribution analysis and employee communication. She works with clients on both a local and national basis and leverages her experience to her clients’ optimal advantage.

Nooshin earned her undergraduate degree from Indiana University in Bloomington where she graduated from their business school with a double major in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. She is an active member of the Orange County Employee Benefits Council, Professionals in Human Resources Association and serves on the Membership Committee for the National Human Resources Association.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Nooshin serves the community through a number of charitable organizations, particularly with the Children’s Hospital of Orange County and Village of Hope. She is also an avid soccer player and enjoys playing on an adult coed league in Newport Beach.

Ed Bray, JD, MBA

Ed Bray, Director of Compliance, has more than 12 years of experience in the human resource and employee benefits field. In his role, he is responsible for helping the firm’s clients establish and maintain regulatory compliance for their health and welfare benefit plans. He is also leading Burnham’s efforts to usher their clientele into the age of health care reform, during a time of unprecedented regulatory complexity.

Prior to joining Burnham Benefits, Ed managed and directed employee benefit programs at The First American Corporation, Irvine Company and Apria Healthcare. His accomplishments include developing and introducing comprehensive health insurance and retirement programs for Irvine Company’s hospitality division, which included a AAA Five Diamond hotel among other properties. He also developed the health and welfare, retirement, and leave of absence programs for publicly traded CoreLogic, Inc., after its spin-off from The First American Corporation.

Ed has served as an expert on the California Chamber of Commerce’s Health Care Policy Committee and as an appointed member to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Employee Benefits Committee. He also holds a professional in human resources (PHR) designation from the Society for Human Resource Management and is a licensed attorney. He currently sits on the board of the Orange County Compensation and Benefits Association.

Mr. Bray is a frequent speaker on the topic of health care reform, having recently presented at the National Healthcare Reform Conference and the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce. He has also been a featured guest on radio programs including “The Sunday Brunch Show” on KOCI and the “Critical Mass for Business Radio Show” with Doug Gfeller.

Ed attended Providence College and holds a bachelor of science degree in business management. He earned his JD from Western New England College School of Law and his MBA from Auburn University.

Kelly Cooper

Kelly Cooper is a Senior Account Executive with over 30 years of employee benefits experience. She has cultivated long-term relationships with school districts and community college districts throughout Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties where she has managed benefits for over 50 school districts (K-12) and seven community college districts.

Kelly also has extensive experience with Employee Benefit Joint Power Authorities (JPAs) and has managed two large benefit JPAs in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

Kelly graduated from the University of Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.

Allison Dilling

Allison Dilling is an Account Executive at Burnham Benefits Insurance Services and responsible for new business development and managing client accounts. She handles benefit plan renewals, marketing analysis, benchmarking, vendor relationships, employee communications, acts as a technology resource, offers legislative updates affecting the benefit program and strategizes with clients on long term benefit objectives.

Allison joined Burnham in 2006 and has 14 years of employee benefit experience. After graduating from college and volunteering for a year in New York City, she spent six years in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area in various human resources roles learning HRIS systems, staffing, recruiting, corporate policies, health and welfare benefit programs as well as employee relations. In 2001 she moved to Southern California and worked for five years as an Account Manager servicing client employee benefit programs for a regional broker. She currently manages clients in California and is developing new business opportunities for Burnham in both California and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Allison is a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude. She is an active member of the local chapter of CEBS.

Ann Marie Estrada

Ann Marie Estrada is an Account Executive with 11 years of employee benefits experience. She is responsible for account management activities including benefit plan renewal, marketing analysis, benchmarking, employee communications and maintaining vendor relationships. She also supports clients on matters pertaining to benefits technology and legislative compliance. She works closely with each of her accounts to help them achieve their long-term benefit objectives.

Prior to joining Burnham Benefits in 2010, Ann Marie worked for a national brokerage as an Account Manager, working with many public sector clients. Her breadth of experience includes 15 years devoted to the health care industry.

Ann Marie resides with her family in Santa Ana, California.

Dan Exceen

Dan Exceen, Vice President, has over 15 years of employee benefit experience and plays a major role in the sales development area at Burnham Benefits. Prior to joining Burnham, Dan worked on the insurance carrier side of our industry and gained a vast background in health and welfare products as well as services. He is the current Chair for Professionals in Human Resources Association in Southern California’s District 8 (encompassing North Orange County and East Los Angeles) and is an active member of the National Human Resources Association and The Society for Human Resource Management.

Dan graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in History. He holds a California State Life/Health Agent license.

Debra Farmer

Debra is an Account Executive of Burnham Benefits Insurance Services and has 20 years of employee benefits experience. She plays a new business role but is primarily responsible for providing professional oversight to her current clients. She maintains strong relationships in the marketplace to ensure her clients are aware of the most current products, technology and trends in the benefits field.

Debra has in-depth knowledge of the benefit markets, including market trends, plan designs, pricing, funding alternatives, contribution analysis and employee communication. She also has extensive experience in the credit union industry, bringing additional resources and innovative ideas to her client base.

Debra joined Burnham Benefits in 2009 as an Employee Benefits Specialist. Burnham Benefits Insurance Services is privately owned and focuses solely on employee benefits consulting and brokerage services. Prior to Burnham Benefits, Debra worked for Arthur J. Gallagher as an Employee Benefits Consultant for nine years, managing mid to large-size benefit clients that included her credit union niche. She began her insurance career in 1989 at Great-West Life, an insurance company offering a comprehensive line of products.

Debra is actively pursuing her CEBS designation, is Series 6-licensed and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix. She is an active member of the Orange County Employee Benefits Council, has involvement with the California Credit Union League and CUNA as well as local credit union human resource groups.

Debra resides in Foothill Ranch with her husband and son.

Darin Gibson, MBA, CFP®, ChFC, CLU

Darin Gibson, Executive Vice President of Burnham Benefits, leads the firm’s pension and executive benefits practice. He is also the co-founder and president of Burnham Gibson Financial Group Inc., a leader in corporate and personal financial services in the Southern California market.

Throughout his 15-year career, Darin has specialized in comprehensive financial and estate planning strategies for closely held businesses. Darin currently manages more than $250 million in assets for individual and corporate clients.

Prior to founding Burnham Gibson and taking an executive role at Burnham Benefits, Darin spent ten years with Shuster Financial Group, LLC, most recently leading the company’s Irvine branch. Darin has also been an advisor with AXA Advisors, LLC for the past 15 years and is recognized annually as one of their top advisors.

Darin completed his undergraduate degree as well as his master’s degree in business administration at the University of California, Irvine. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Chartered Financial Consultant and Chartered Life Underwriter designations.

Darin is a Charter Member of The Center for Investment & Wealth Management Advisory Board at the Paul Merage School of Business at UC Irvine.

Darin resides in Laguna Niguel with his wife, Ilone, and his two children. The Gibsons enjoy a myriad of outdoor activities with their two young children.

Brenda Hall

Brenda Hall is an Account Executive with Burnham Benefits Insurance Services and has 13 years of experience in the insurance industry. She is responsible for the overall strategic planning and management of her clients’ accounts. Brenda negotiates the benefit renewals, oversees marketing analyses and ensures each account’s compliance. She maintains relationships with the leading vendors in the marketplace and is committed to maximizing her clients’ education regarding the best products, technology and industry trends. She also oversees the employee communication components for all of her clients and provides an ongoing assessment of available tools and resources to ensure that her clients are aware of the most current products, technology and trends in the benefit field. She works with clients on both a local and national basis and brings “best practices” to Burnham and to her clients

Prior to joining Burnham Benefits in 2003, Brenda spent two years with a human resources outsourcing firm as a Benefits Manager. She was responsible for acting on behalf of the employer, providing benefits administration services as well as the coordination of state programs, COBRA and payroll. Brenda began her career at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company in the group benefits department, later transitioning to a boutique benefits brokerage firm in Newport Beach.

Brenda is also involved in community outreach programs and charitable organizations that include Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Orange County, Habitat of Humanity, Project Impact and the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ (DOC).

Rose Hook

Rose Hook is a Senior Account Executive at Burnham Benefits Insurance Services. She is responsible for new business development and managing accounts in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Rose serves clients’ consulting needs in Health & Welfare and 401(k) Retirement Plans.

Rose is experienced in plan design, negotiation, funding, and implementation of both local and nationwide managed care programs, benefit program analysis and planning strategic cost efficiency. She has been instrumental in designing plans, which fit the particular needs of her clients and ensuring a smooth implementation and renewal process.

Rose brings her expertise to Burnham, having worked with large regional and national brokerage firms in Southern California, including one of the Big Three Consulting firms. She was responsible for managing some of those firms’ largest relationships. She has designed benefit packages and assisted such industries as financial, healthcare, service, technology, private-schools & manufacturing, including multi-state and international clients.

Rose is an Alumnus of the University of California, Irvine, having received two degrees from UCI:
• B.A. Psychology & Social Behavior
• B.A. Criminology, Law & Society (Pre-Law)

Rose serves on the Board of Directors of EBPA Los Angeles (Employee Benefits Planning Association). She’s also on the Board of Directors of PIHRA District 15 (Professionals in Human Resources Association), serving the East San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys.

Rose lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter. In her spare time she enjoys world travel adventures with her family, concerts, and Yoga.

Crystal V. Hover

Crystal Hover serves as a key resource and strategist for health, wellness and productivity-related initiatives in her role as Health and Wellness Practice Leader and Senior Consultant for Burnham Benefits. She conducts carrier negotiations for wellness dollars and builds visibility for Burnham Benefits through white papers and speaking engagements to attract and support clients. She also serves clients by acting as a dedicated lead for those who want to add or reinvigorate wellness programs.

Hover has more than 25 years of diverse corporate and public sector experience in the employee benefits field. Her background includes implementation, management and negotiation of a range of fully insured and self-funded benefits for benefits plans on the consultant, employer and carrier sides.

This unique expertise offers Hover rare insight into the needs of both U.S.-based and international clients who rely on her ability to develop county-by-county solutions that draw from local resources and provide outstanding custom programs with a strong track record of success.

Prior to joining Burnham Benefits, Hover founded Kitchen Table Consulting, a company that specializes in the creation and implementation of custom health and wellness solutions. She has also served as Vice President and Senior Client Relationship Manager with Aon Hewitt Consulting’s Health and Benefits Practice in Los Angeles, where she was a powerful contributor to the executive management team and served on an elite team of national subject matter experts on health and wellness. Additional past experience includes leadership as the Chief of Employee Benefits and Services for the County of San Bernardino, where she had full responsibility for managing and negotiating a robust benefits offering for 18,000 employees and 7,000 retirees; as well as Assistant Vice President/Head of Account Management for CIGNA International Expatriate Benefits, where she had ultimate responsibility for a portfolio of 1,200 clients totaling $400M in revenue; and Senior Operations Manager for Kemper National Services, where she held significant responsibilities that included selling, managing and renewing large, national clients in the disability and leave management arena.

Hover holds a B.A. from UCLA and has earned the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) designation from Wharton School of Business. She was recognized by Business Insurance magazine in 2007 as one of the industry’s “women to watch.”

Patti Kunnel

Patti is a Vice President at Burnham Benefits Insurance Services. She is responsible for client management and maintains relationships with the industry marketplace to ensure her clients are aware of the most current products, technology and trends in the benefits field.

Patti has extensive knowledge of the benefit markets, including market trends, plan designs, pricing, funding alternatives, contribution analysis and employee communication. She works with clients on both a local and national basis and brings “best practices” to the firm and to her clients.

Prior to joining Burnham Benefits in 2007, Patti worked for a regional brokerage firm as Vice President of Employee Benefits where she developed the Group Benefits Division of the new firm. She also worked from 1991 to 1998 at Arthur J. Gallagher as a Group Benefits Consultant serving many large employee benefit clients. She began her insurance career in 1981 at Leisure Werden & Terry, a life insurance agency specializing in life products.

Patti is a Certified California Long Term Care Partnership Broker and is an active member of the Orange County Employee Benefits Council and the National Association of Health Underwriters. Patti resides in Irvine with her husband, and they have two grown children.

Jennifer Lake

Jennifer Lake is an Account Executive with Burnham Benefits Insurance Services.Her primary focus is to develop and streamline employee benefit programs and to provide insurance and related solutions for employer groups in the surrounding fields. Prior to joining Burnham in 2006, Jennifer spent seven years at a regional brokerage firm in account management and served as the Vice President of Legislation for the Orange County Health Underwriters Association for three years.

Jennifer also trained as a Surgical Nurse in the U.S. Army and graduated from the 91D Program in 1995 at the University of Health Sciences in San Antonio, Texas. She served her internship at Evans Army Hospital in Colorado Springs and practiced at Harbor UCLA Hospital. Jennifer continued to serve in the Army National Guard for six years.

Patrick Lowry

Patrick Lowry is Vice President, Public Sector Consulting for Burnham Benefits Insurance Services. He has extensive knowledge and experience in benefits planning, program development and forecasting as well as problem solving and negotiations. Patrick worked in sales management and marketing for Blue Cross of California and was a managing partner for one of California’s largest benefits brokerage and consulting firms. He was also a founding partner of Burnham Benefits Insurance Services.

Patrick is a community advocate for schools and holds a graduate degree in Educational Philosophy.

Glen Morse

Glen Morse is the Underwriting Manager at Burnham Benefits and leads the firm’s practice in this field. He is responsible for benefit plan pricing, projecting market place trends, health care cost projections, client reporting, alternative funding and employer contribution strategies. In addition, he maintains relationships with the underwriting leadership at life and health insurance carriers.

During his nearly 20 years in the group insurance industry, Glen has held underwriting leadership roles at several major health care plans and has extensive experience in and knowledge of group life and healthcare underwriting practices and policies. Immediately prior to joining Burnham Benefits, Glen worked for a national benefits consulting company where he was a senior financial consultant.

Glen is a graduate of Pepperdine University and holds a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and a bachelor of arts degree in political science. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Glen is active in the community and is involved in a number of Orange County non-profit organizations including Hoag Hospital Foundation and AIDS Services Foundation.

Marina Nordby

Marina Nordby, Senior Account Executive, has eight years of employee benefits experience. She is focusing on new business development but is primarily responsible for providing professional oversight to her current clients.

Prior to joining Burnham Benefits in 2005, Marina worked for a small southern California employee benefits firm as an account manager. She began her insurance career in Minneapolis in 2000 as an independent Life and Health insurance agent.

Marina is pursuing her CEBS designation and holds a bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and Intercultural Communication from Tyumen State University, Russian Federation. She is an active member of the Orange County Employee Benefits Council, National Human Resources Association and is also involved with the Orange County Automobile Dealers Association.

Marina resides in Ladera Ranch with her husband and two sons.

Leslie Ouellette

Leslie, Director of Client Communications, has worked in the Employee Benefits industry for over 17 years. With a creative flair and an in-depth knowledge of employee benefits, Leslie manages, develops and oversees benefit communication strategies to enhance employee benefit brochures and provide clients with a comprehensive array of creative services.

Leslie’s objective is to communicate the details and value of your employer-provided benefits with materials that are tailored specifically to your benefits package and corporate culture, while meeting legal requirements for disclosure.

Leslie joined Burnham Benefits in 2005 as Account Manager, working with Kristen Mauger-Allison and Melanie Thomas in the Employee Benefits Division. Prior to Burnham Benefits, Leslie worked for Marsh as an Account Executive. She began her career with Calco Insurance Brokers & Agents where she assisted the sales producers in the Employee Benefits Department.

Away from the office, Leslie enjoys spending time with her husband, her twin boys and her chihuahua.

Doug Ramsthel

Doug Ramsthel is a Vice President at Burnham Benefits Insurance Services. With more than 24 years in the field of employee benefits, Doug brings specialized experience in large multi-state employer plans, alternative funding techniques, and due diligence for health and welfare plans in M&A transactions. He also has extensive experience designing and implementing consumer driven health plans (CDHPs) for groups, achieving very favorable financial results.

Doug brings high-level expertise to Burnham, having worked for one of the Big Three consulting firms, as well as two major health insurance carriers in both sales and management. His work with larger employers includes a large national resort and hotel group, one of the largest operators of private golf clubs, and California’s largest hospital district.

A member of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP) and a certified financial planner (CFP), Doug is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from the University of Oregon with a degree in Economics.

Catherine Seitz

Catherine Seitz is a Senior Account Executive at Burnham Benefits Insurance Services. She is responsible for new business development and overall strategic planning and management of her clients’ accounts. Catherine negotiates the benefit renewals, oversees marketing analyses and ensures each account’s compliance. She maintains relationships with the leading vendors in the marketplace and is committed to maximizing her clients’ education regarding the best products, technology and industry trends.

With over 20 years in the insurance industry, Catherine has extensive knowledge of the benefit and financial markets that include market trends, plan designs, pricing, funding alternatives, contribution analyses and employee communications. She works with clients on both a local and national basis and brings “best practices” to Burnham and to her clients.

Prior to joining Burnham, Catherine worked at Pacific Life as well as a general agency involved in all facets of the insurance business.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Catherine is a CHOC Board member and has been instrumental in helping to drive over $1 million of charitable contributions over the past eight years.

Rachel Sunday

Rachel Sunday is an Account Executive at Burnham Benefits Insurance Services and is responsible for new business development and overall strategic planning and management of her clients. Rachel handles benefit plan renewals, oversees marketing analysis, benchmarking, employee communications and ensures each account is compliant with state/federal legislation. She maintains strong relationships with the leading vendors in the marketplace and is committed to maximizing education regarding wellness, products, technology and industry trends. Most importantly, she strategizes with clients on long-term benefit objectives. She loves working with non-profit organizations and volunteers as much as possible.

Prior to joining Burnham in 2008, Rachel worked with a nationwide brokerage firm as a Senior Account Manager as well as at CIGNA Healthcare generating over ten years of experience in employee benefits. Prior to that Rachel was on the clinical side of health care with a background in nursing, specializing in pulmonary disease. She quickly decided that she would like to educate on prevention of disease through wellness, understanding what insurance covers, value-add programs and other services made available through various health care programs.

Rachel is also actively involved in Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA) as well as Employee Benefits Planning Association of Los Angeles (EBPA). She enjoys spending time with her family and training her American Staffordshire Terrier Odin to become a certified therapy dog.

Melanie Thomas

Melanie is a Vice President of Burnham Benefits Insurance Services and is responsible for overall leadership, management and strategic planning for her clients. Melanie maintains relationships with the leaders in the vendor marketplace and ensures that the firm is always educated on the most current products, technology and trends in the benefits field.

Melanie has extensive knowledge of the benefit and financial markets, including market trends, plan designs, pricing, funding alternatives, contribution analysis and employee communication. She works with clients on both a local and national basis and brings “best practices” to the firm and to her clients.

Melanie began her insurance career in 1995 on the Property and Casualty side of the industry. In 1999 she then moved to the broker/consultant side at Burnham Benefits which is privately owned and focuses solely on employee benefits consulting and brokerage services.

Melanie received her Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in finance and economics from Chapman University. Melanie is a Past President and active member of the Orange County Employee Benefits Council. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Melanie serves the community and is involved in non-profit work such as CHOC – Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

Melanie currently resides in Newport Coast with her husband, two daughters and their Labrador Retriever.