Edward Sanchez serves as Director of Customer Adoption and Engagement at Selerix, where he works closely with brokers, carriers, and employers to help them successfully adopt and maximize the value of the Selerix Engage platform. With a strong background in benefits communications, Edward focuses on helping clients improve how they connect with employees and communicate important benefits information.

Talk to us about your professional background before Selerix. What kind of career did you lead?
Immediately before Selerix, I was a Communications Manager at BCBS of Texas. I managed a team of communications professionals, and we helped our Texas-based, national accounts communicate to their employees about benefits throughout the year. Prior to BCBSTX, I managed agent and consumer communications for Transamerica Life Insurance Company – Long Term Care Insurance division.

What is your current role, and how long have you been with the organization?
I’m currently the Director of Customer Adoption and Engagement, and I’ve been with Selerix for seven years. In my role, I work closely with our Engage clients, including brokers, carriers, and employers. I provide training, communication support, and help develop self-service resources so clients can easily find the information they need. A big part of my job is also listening to client feedback and sharing those insights with our product team.

When and how did you get involved with Selerix?
Back in 2019, a recruiter contacted me and asked if I was interested in learning about a career opportunity. I wasn’t interested at first, but eventually, I agreed to an interview with Lyle Griffin and Steve Olivas. My mind was blown away when they presented the product that would eventually become Selerix Engage.  While at BCBSTX, I realized that even large employers didn’t have a way of effectively communicating with employees, so I immediately saw the value that Engage brought to the table.

What is a work accomplishment you are especially proud of?
I am very proud that I’ve had a part in making Engage what it is today. I haven’t had that opportunity at any other point in my career, but Selerix placed trust in me and allowed me to “get my hands dirty.”

Do you have a favorite Selerix memory?
A memory that sticks out to me occurred during my first interview. After Steve was finished presenting the plans for Engage, I couldn’t help but exclaim, “holy SH*T! This would have made my life so much easier at BCBSTX.” I immediately regretted the use of the expletive and thought I had failed the interview. Thankfully, it didn’t.

What is the best piece of career advice you have ever received?
I can’t remember who gave me this advice. Maybe it’s just a lesson I’ve learned throughout my career – follow your gut and don’t burn bridges. With my time here at Selerix, for example, I had a few confidants ask if I was sure it was the right decision leaving a company like BCBSTX. Something just told me to do it.

What’s something your coworkers might not know about you?
I have a pack of four rescue dogs, and they tend to rule my life.  After my last foster-fail, Bubba (who became 120 lbs. of fun), I decided maybe I shouldn’t foster dogs anymore.

Anything else you might wish to mention?
I am very happy to be working at Selerix, especially today. There is so much opportunity, and we all have the ability to contribute to Selerix’s success.

Just for Fun

Outside of work, what kind of hobbies do you have?
I enjoy working out. For the last 2-3 years, I’ve lived a much healthier life working out at least 6 days a week. I’ve lost about 25 lbs. and have maintained it. I also like to bake – especially cookies (although I give most of the cookies away these days). 

What’s is a snack food you can’t resist?
Cheezits and Goldfish. I can’t stop eating them if they are in my house or in the breakroom!

What’s the most useless skill you have?
I can drink a lot of beer although I don’t do it as much as I used to because of this weird obsession with good health.

What’s your favorite thing to do?
There are a few things, actually. I walk my dogs a lot; I enjoy travelling, especially to tropical beaches; and I enjoy finding great new restaurants.

If your dogs could talk, what would they say about you?
Thank you for buying this nice king-size bed. You can sleep on those six inches on the right side.

What’s an activity that gets harder as you get older?
When I was younger, I could be lazy and do nothing all day long. I can’t stand doing that now. It feels like I’m wasting valuable time.

What song do you always turn up when it comes on?
More Than a Feeling by Boston.

If you wrote a book about your career so far, what would you title it and why?
I had to use a bit of AI to generate this title: How I Got, Where I Got, Before I Ever Knew I Got There. At my age, I’ve often looked back at my career and have realized that I didn’t take a deliberate path to where I am today. What I mean by that is I didn’t decide to do A to get to B or do B to get to C. But here I am, and I’m grateful!

What advice you give yourself at age 15?
Don’t be afraid to stand out and be yourself. Embrace your individuality unapologetically. 

If you had a warning label, what would you say?
Beware: not afraid to perform a Tina Turner dance number.

Where and what is your dream vacation?
Visiting Patagonia and Antarctica are on my bucket list.

What’s the silliest way you’ve ever gotten an injury?
When I was in my early 30s, I made the great decision to learn how to rollerblade. One day, I was going downhill. At that point of my rollerblading experience, I hadn’t learned how to brake. I saw a snake crossing the trail. I panicked. There was a bench to the left of the trail, so I decided to use it as a way to stop. However, things didn’t go as planned. I tripped at the last minute and went forehead first onto the back of the bench.  The bench was made of wire mesh, so I had a wire mesh diamond pattern on my forehead for at least a week! That’s the last time I ever had wheels on my feet.

How long would you survive in a zombie apocalypse?
I’d survive at least a few months. I’ve learned a lot from all the zombie movies I’ve watched.