Melanie Thomas

About Melanie Thomas

Melanie is a Senior Vice President and Partner 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 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.Specialties: Plan design, negotiation, funding, and implementation of both local and nationwide managed care programs, benefit program analysis and planning strategic cost efficiency. In addition to financial specialties, online enrollment, employee communications and health care reform

Experience

1. Senior Vice President Partner

   Burnham Benefits Insurance Services

   Jan 2000 — Present · Irvine, CA, US

   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.

Education

• Chapman University, The George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Business Administration and Management, General

  1987 — 1990

• Chapman University

  BS, Business

  1995 — 1997

Skills

• Employee Benefits
• Funding
• Online Enrollment
• Health Care Reform
• Strategic Planning
• Program Management
• Negotiation