IRVINE, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 01/28/13 -- Burnham Benefits Insurance Services, one of the largest employee benefits brokerages in Southern California and one of the few to specialize solely in strategic employee benefits consulting and brokerage services, has brought in a new account manager, Lenny Pangesa, to support the firm's continued growth and expansion.

Pangesa has spent most of her career working on the employer side of the industry, most recently with the Irvine Company as a benefits specialist. With a strong background in employee education and communication, Pangesa knows what employers are looking for and what questions will be asked by employees. This experience will allow Pangesa to proactively assess client needs and support employers as they navigate the employee benefits landscape.

"As we continue to expand in Southern California and beyond, bringing in expert account managers is crucial to nurturing current and new client relationships, and providing the absolute best service possible," says Kristen Allison, president and owner of Burnham Benefits. "We are thrilled to have Lenny join the Burnham team. Her experience and knowledge of the industry will be a huge asset to our firm and our clients."

Burnham Benefits' consultative, client-first approach to employee benefits has helped establish the firm as a Southern California market leader. Burnham is known for its research-driven services, which cull from actuarial data and company-specific information to allow customization of its offerings and a tailored approach to benefits consulting. The firm is a leader in employee benefits benchmarking in California, and annually presents results of its Mid-Market Employee Benefits Survey to help local business leaders assess how their employee benefits programs and wellness initiatives compare with similar-sized employers. The firm's approach is enhanced through a commitment to adopting the latest software, the latest wellness programs, and the most current online enrollment and administration systems to keep clients lean and nimble.

ABOUT BURNHAM BENEFITS INSURANCE SERVICES:
Based in Irvine, Calif., Burnham Benefits Insurance Services Inc. is one of the largest employee benefits brokerages in Southern California and one of the few to specialize solely in employee benefits insurance. Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego employers trust Burnham to understand the unique challenges of the Southern California market. Kristen Allison, President of Burnham Benefits and a 30-year industry veteran, acquired the firm in 1995 from John Burnham Insurance Services, an Orange County mainstay for more than 50 years. Boasting the in-depth industry knowledge and Fortune 500 resources of a large firm, Burnham Benefits prides itself on retaining the flexibility, creativity and consultative service of a boutique. After steady growth of 20 percent annually for the past 10 years, the company serves more than 300 corporate clients throughout the United States and manages more than $600 million in premiums. Working with its colleagues at Burnham Gibson Financial Group, and having the added expertise of in-house underwriters, compliance officers and communications specialists, Burnham Benefits provides an integrated approach to managing a client's full spectrum of employee benefits. Named Best Place to Work by the Orange County Business Journal in both 2011 and 2012, the company has three offices in California: Irvine, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, as well as offices in Oregon and the Washington D.C. metro area. For more information, visit www.BurnhamBenefits.com.