From his earliest professional experiences to his current role as a Senior Benefits Consultant, Seth Keown has consistently demonstrated the rare ability to balance vision with execution. Over the course of more than 15 years, Seth has built a reputation as a leader who transforms teams, drives sustainable revenue growth, and delivers measurable value to clients across the health care, insurance, and employee benefits sectors. His journey is defined by a passion for leadership, a deep understanding of operational and financial controls, and a commitment to empowering others through collaboration and innovation.
Seth’s career began in the insurance industry, where he quickly developed a mastery of client relationship management, consultative selling, and strategic planning. These foundational years gave him not only technical expertise but also the resilience and adaptability that would underpin his professional trajectory. His early success in recruiting and training sales professionals reflected a natural ability to recognize potential in others and cultivate high-performing teams that could consistently exceed expectations.
His tenure with Aflac and Colonial Life marked an important stage in his growth as both a leader and strategist. As District Sales Manager and later Territory Sales Trainer, Seth took on responsibilities that demanded not only sales acumen but also talent development and organizational stewardship. He designed onboarding processes, built training curricula, and mentored sales managers and advisors, ensuring that new professionals had both the tools and the confidence to succeed. This period reinforced Seth’s belief that leadership is not about authority, but about service—an approach that has guided him ever since.
At CBIZ, where he advanced to Vice President of Employee Benefits, Seth stepped firmly into the executive arena. In this role, he led client strategy, business planning, and revenue growth initiatives across a national platform. His ability to merge financial oversight with relationship-building set him apart, allowing him to deliver tailored solutions that met the unique needs of clients while also strengthening the company’s competitive advantage. Under his leadership, teams learned to balance innovation with discipline, and clients benefited from strategies that were both ambitious and grounded.
Seth’s subsequent role as Regional Sales Manager at 90 Degree Benefits further expanded his scope of influence. Here, he oversaw regional operations, managing customer relationships and guiding territory growth with a keen understanding of both market dynamics and organizational potential. His leadership style—rooted in transparency, collaboration, and accountability—helped his teams thrive in competitive environments, while his strategic vision ensured long-term sustainability.
Today, as a Senior Benefits Consultant at Gilsbar, Seth continues to serve as a trusted advisor to executives, HR leaders, and organizations across the country. In this role, he draws on his comprehensive background in employee benefits, insurance, and organizational leadership to deliver integrated solutions that improve employee engagement and safeguard financial health. His work is not transactional; it is transformational, helping clients rethink their approach to benefits and empowering them to achieve optimal outcomes for both their workforce and their bottom line.
Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Seth has demonstrated a consistent commitment to his community. His long-standing role as a youth baseball coach reflects his dedication to mentorship, teamwork, and leadership development outside of the boardroom. Whether guiding young athletes or advising executives, Seth approaches every challenge with the same belief: that success comes not from individual achievement alone, but from the collective strength of a team working toward a common goal.
Academically, Seth is grounded in a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Management, and Operations from Western Kentucky University. This education provided him with the business fundamentals that have served as a launchpad for his career, while his professional journey has added layers of practical expertise in leadership, strategy, and operations. Combined, these experiences have positioned him as both a seasoned practitioner and a forward-thinking strategist.
Personally, Seth finds balance in his love of sports, the outdoors, and time spent with friends and family. These passions reflect the values that guide his professional life: discipline, resilience, teamwork, and loyalty. He approaches every endeavor with the same energy and authenticity, whether he is driving organizational transformation or enjoying a day on the field with his children.
Looking ahead, Seth is actively seeking opportunities to serve on boards and advisory roles. He brings with him not only a proven track record of leadership and strategic execution but also a fresh perspective and willingness to challenge conventional thinking. For Seth, board service is an opportunity to both contribute his expertise and continue learning from others, enriching his own perspective while creating value for organizations that are ready to grow.
Character:
Seth embodies integrity and resilience in every aspect of his professional and personal life. His leadership style is rooted in service, ensuring that teams and clients alike feel valued and supported. By consistently prioritizing ethical decision-making and accountability, he builds trust that endures.
Knowledge:
With more than 15 years of progressive experience in the insurance and employee benefits industry, Seth brings deep expertise in organizational leadership, financial controls, and sales strategy. His career spans national firms and regional markets, giving him a broad perspective on industry trends and client needs. He applies this knowledge to craft tailored solutions that balance innovation with practicality.
Strategic:
Seth has a demonstrated ability to align long-term vision with day-to-day execution, ensuring that organizations can grow sustainably while remaining adaptable to change. He is skilled at identifying opportunities for improvement, developing actionable strategies, and guiding teams to achieve measurable outcomes. His focus on big-picture thinking is always balanced by an attention to detail that drives results.
Communication:
Known for his clarity and authenticity, Seth excels in building relationships and fostering collaboration across all levels of an organization. He has delivered presentations, led webinars, and guided client engagements with a style that is both engaging and persuasive. His ability to listen, connect, and communicate effectively ensures that stakeholders feel heard, understood, and inspired to act.
