We Are Gilsbar
For more than half a century, Gilsbar has offered insurance service solutions and support for businesses and their employees. We are a family-owned and operated business with humble beginnings and a bright future. We remain committed to our founding values.
Our Core Values
We focus on our clients' interestes and always work:
- With Integrity;
- To create value;
- With courage and a long-term view;
- With all of our might and creativity;
- Constantly striving for excellence;
- To develop our people, processes, products and markets;
- For a reasonable profit
Our History
Henry Miltenberger founded the company in 1959 as a partnership with the Louisiana State Bar Association (giving Gilsbar its name: Group Insurance Louisiana State Bar). This partnership launched a national insurance services provider. We are honored to continue to serve our very first customer, the LSBA, along with many other distinguished clients over the decades. We hope you will be one of them!
Our Philosophy
We believe in doing the right thing by those we serve. Our team of thought leaders approach each client proactively, with ingenuity and foresight. We build partnerships that truly matter.
YEARS EXPERIENCE
AVG YEARS OF EMPOYEE TENURE
YEARS OF AVG CLIENT TENURE
LOCALLY OWNED
Leadership
We are fearless leaders. We believe actions speak louder than words, and that servant leadership is the best kind. We strive to lead by example and work hard to build opportunities for our clients and our team members.
Ryan Haun
President, CEO
Ryan Haun
President & CEO
Ryan joined Gilsbar in 2012 and during that time has directed business development, management and strategy for all aspects of the Property & Casualty and Group Benefits divisions. Additionally, he has contributed to all other aspects of corporate leadership and strategy during his tenure. The role of President and CEO transitioned to Mr. Haun in January 2021 as the culmination of a lengthy succession established by his predecessor.
Prior to Gilsbar, he owned an insurance restoration company performing contracting work throughout the Southeast and Midwestern US. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Drafting and Design from Missouri State University.
Becky Pathoumthong
Vice President, CFO
Becky Pathoumthong
Vice President, CFOBecky joined Gilsbar in 2017 and is responsible for the financial and people side of the business, coordinating both finance and human resources to achieve company goals. With over 25 years of experience in the accounting sector, Ms. Pathoumthong worked at Arthur Andersen, Stryker Corporation, and Alfasigma USA, Inc. prior to joining Gilsbar. She is a member of the Society of Louisiana CPA’s and received her Bachelor of Science in management with a concentration in accounting from Tulane University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Brian Esser
Senior Director of Compliance and Corporate Counsel
Brian Esser
Senior Director of Compliance and Corporate Counsel
Brian brings a distinguished career as in-house counsel, having held senior legal roles across a variety of industries. He has consistently provided business-focused legal solutions while navigating complex legal, regulatory, and operational challenges for large, multi-brand organizations. Brian earned a B.S. in Accountancy from Creighton University and a J.D. from the University of Louisville. He currently resides in Metairie, LA, with his wife, Jessica, and their daughter, Cyla.
Rachel Welch
Senior Director of Sales & Marketing
Rachel Welch
Senior Director of Sales & Marketing
With over 12 years of industry experience, Rachel oversees our group benefits and property & casualty sales teams, as well as Gilsbar’s corporate marketing strategies and client services. She enjoys helping people and businesses discover and understand insurance solutions that meet their needs. She received two Bachelor of Arts degrees in English Literature and Communication Studies from Bryan College. She currently resides in New Orleans, LA.
Go New Orleans Pelicans!
Stephen Messenger
Director of Finance
Stephen Messenger
Director of Finance
Stephen has been with Gilsbar since 2017 and has over 15 years of experience in Audit, Corporate Accounting, Cost Accounting, Financial Planning, and Reporting & Analysis. As the Director of Finance, Stephen currently leads Gilsbar's Accounting and Finance team, where he has enhanced financial reporting and developed analyses to support the strategic finance goals of the company. Stephen holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Louisiana State University and is a Louisiana Certified Public Accountant (CPA). When he isn't keeping Gilsbar's finances in check, Stephen enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons in Covington, LA.
Megan Motichek
Director of Operations
Megan Motichek
Director of Operations
As the Director of Operations, Megan oversees our renewal sales and operations teams. She has been in the business for over 15 years and focuses on cultivating a culture of excellence. She believes in service and is always searching for ways to exceed client expectations. Megan resides in Orange Beach, AL with her husband and two children.
Diana Derbas
Director of Marketing & Distribution
Diana Derbas
Director of Marketing & Distribution
Diana Derbas serves as Director of Marketing & Distribution, leading initiatives focused on brand growth, marketing performance, distribution strategy, and corporate communications. With more than 30 years of experience, she has built a diverse career spanning marketing, operations, technology, compliance, and organizational leadership. Beginning in marketing and client services, Diana expanded into enterprise project management and strategic transformation initiatives, helping organizations navigate change and improve performance. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a specialization in Public Relations and Advertising and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
Justin Wunder
Manager of Information Technology
Justin Wunder
Manager of Information Technology
Justin has been with Gilsbar since 2016 and has over 8 years of experience in technology infrastructure and cyber liability. He works as Gilsbar’s Manager of Information Technology providing strategic oversight of corporate-wide information technology activities. Justin specializes in leadership, cybersecurity, cloud computing, user support, infrastructure and telecommunications. His IT experience began as a Microsoft Student Partner during his tenure at Louisiana Tech University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems in 2015. He enjoys spending time with his wife and three children in Robert, LA when he isn’t protecting Gilsbar from cyber threats or standing up for new technology solutions.
Vanessa Phillips
Director of the Sub Production Division
Vanessa Phillips
Director of the Sub Production Division
Vanessa Phillips is the Director of the Sub Production Division and Senior Manager of Business Development at Gilsbar, where she began her insurance career in 2005. Over the past 20 years, she has built a reputation as a trusted partner to brokers, known for her responsiveness, market expertise, and commitment to delivering results. Brokers value her collaborative approach, accessibility, and dedication to helping them meet their clients' needs. Prior to returning to Gilsbar to help grow its Professional Liability business, Vanessa held leadership roles with Ironshore, Liberty Mutual, and Pearl Insurance. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of New Orleans.
Join Our Team
Are you interested in a career at Gilsbar? Click below to learn more about our company, culture, benefits and job openings.