IRVINE, CA--(Marketwired - Jul 21, 2014) - Burnham Benefits Insurance Services -- one of California's most successful employee benefits brokerage firms -- today announced the addition of its newest team member, Helen Vits. As a senior account executive, Vits consults with Burnham clients as they structure their employee benefit packages -- from procurement and analysis, to implementation. The role of consultants has especially evolved with the enactment of the Affordable Care Act. This new era ushers in the need for subject matter experts, like Vits, with the skills to adapt to changes and recommend forward-thinking solutions to keep clients competitive in the job market.

"With more than 10 years of experience in all facets of employee benefits, Helen is a wonderful new asset to our team," says Kristen Allison, president and CEO of Burnham Benefits. "She has demonstrated effective communication and strategic guidance for numerous companies over the years, and we look forward to drawing from her expertise in ACA compliance and business development."

Vits' career in employee benefits first began at Baker, Thomsen Associates, where she climbed the ranks and remained with the firm as it was acquired by Brown & Brown and exhibited adaptability to the changing tides of the industry. In addition to consultation, Vits launched and led a webinar series at Brown & Brown, managed partner relationships, served as a technical lead and pursued new business opportunities -- all skills that will transfer seamlessly into her new position at Burnham Benefits.

"It's an honor to join the ranks of Burnham's respected and innovative professionals," says Vits. "I now see why this firm has been ranked #1 Best Place to Work for three years by the Orange County Business Journal. Not only does Burnham provide exceptional service to its clients, but it also keeps its workforce happy. The value it places on a balanced work and home life was particularly attractive to me."

Prior to her career in employee benefits, Vits worked in different accounting and advertising roles. Drawing upon a strong technical background, she believes technology will help drive the next evolution of healthcare.

"I think any healthcare strategy should include technology," says Vits. "Online systems will help streamline efficiencies within organizations and the emergence of private exchanges will become increasingly attractive to employers looking to control or reduce costs, offering more choice to attract, recruit and retain and most importantly, compliance with evolving regulatory environment."

Burnham Benefits has grown steadily over the past 10 years, cultivating a team of more than 70 consultants with expertise in areas including wellness, compliance, communications, underwriting, retirement planning and executive benefits. More than 300 corporate clients trust Burnham to provide the cutting-edge resources and services that are delivered by the larger firms, while retaining the client-first approach that's become the hallmark of their brand. To learn more, visit www.burnhambenefits.com

ABOUT BURNHAM BENEFITS INSURANCE SERVICES: Burnham Benefits Insurance Services, Inc. is an independent, full-service employee benefits consulting and brokerage firm headquartered in Irvine, California. The firm is one of the largest in California and one of the few to specialize solely in strategic employee benefits consulting and brokerage services. The privately held group provides client-first health and wellness programs, and through its strategic partnership with Burnham Gibson Financial Group, it also provides retirement planning and wealth management services. Burnham Benefits effectively manages more than $1 billion in premiums for more than 300 clients, while maintaining a more than 98 percent client retention rate and a 20 percent annual growth rate. Because Burnham does not have outside shareholders, it can create customized solutions that fit clients' best interests -- investing in the tools and resources needed to provide the specialized level of service today's challenging climate demands. Its team of more than 70 highly skilled industry professionals include in-house underwriters, compliance officers, healthcare reform consultants, communications specialists and wellness experts. Burnham Benefits' footprint currently spans offices in Orange County, SF Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, Calif. as well as satellites in Oregon and the Washington D.C. metro area. Burnham Benefits holds national recognition as one of Business Insurance's #1 Best Places to Work in Insurance 2013 and Best Place to Work by the Orange County Business Journal three years running. For more information, visit www.BurnhamBenefits.com.