About Us
Our History
Since 1975, GCG Financial, LLC, has been a trusted partner for our clients. Our mission has been to enhance the financial security of the businesses and families we serve through exceptional employee benefits, risk management, and wealth management solutions.
In 2017, GCG Financial and 23 other like- minded, entrepreneurial firms came together to form Alera Group. Since then, Alera Group has grown to become the 11th largest independent insurance and financial services firm in the nation with over 4,000 employees, 180 firms, and thousands of clients across the country.
In 2022, we officially began embracing the Alera Group brand. What remains consistent is holding our clients at the core of our business; we focus on bringing personalized solutions, expanding our capabilities, and deepening our resources nationally.
Our Team
Trusted. Smart. Passionate.
Our team has a sincere commitment to the long- term success of our clients. With an emphasis on collaboration and teamwork, we create unique solutions that fit the distinct needs of each client. We are passionate about doing what is right for every client, driven by the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, integrity, character, fairness, trust, and confidence.
Our Presence
Our clients benefit from the expertise and resources of a large national firm, while still maintaining the advantages of local service and relationships. We leverage powerful relationships, industry experience, and resources with the goal of supporting our clients’ business strategies and elevating the experience of working with us.
Above all, our firm believes in empowering people – our clients, our team, and the individuals in the communities where we live and work.
We are headquartered in Deerfield, IL, with offices throughout Illinois and Colorado, along with more than 150 Alera Group locations across the country. Wherever you are, we can meet your needs.
Meet Our Team
Germaine Robertson
Director of Operations, Risk Management | Property & Casualty
Andy Adams
Wealth Advisor | Wealth Services
P: (847) 457-3211
As a Wealth Advisor, Andy’s goals are simple: to know his clients well, to treat them with respect and to measure his success by their success. To meet those goals, Andy develops financial plans tailored specifically to the individual needs of each of his clients. Andy values long-lasting client relationships and advises his clients through every stage of their financial journey.
Andy brings almost 25 years of experience with various institutional investing and financial planning firms to the Wealth Services team. What Andy enjoys most about his job is the opportunity to work with individuals and businesses on an intimate level. Understanding his clients’ goals and needs and the satisfaction of putting strategies in place to pursue them is his personal passion.
Outside of work, Andy enjoys spending time with his wife, Katie, and their golden retriever, Fletch. When he is away from work, he enjoys playing golf, craft beer, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
Education: B.A. Finance, Roosevelt University
Investment Advisory Services offered through Alera Investment Advisors, LLC. Securities offered through Triad Advisors, LLC., Member FINRA/SIPC. Triad Advisors LLC is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Triad Advisors.
Jim Berman
Vice President, Benefits Consulting | Employee Benefits
P: (303) 220-3261
Jim originally joined the firm in 1989 to build the Employee Benefits division in Illinois. After 13 years of leading the firm to tremendous growth in this area, he decided to try his skills on the carrier side of the business. In 2003 Jim joined United Healthcare as Vice President of sales for Colorado and New Mexico. His responsibilities included developing and managing a large sales and support team, developing marketing strategies for new products and services, and driving growth in membership and profitability. In 2006, Jim was promoted to a regional and national role in large accounts with the responsibility of creating and launching new products around consumer-driven strategies.
Jim returned to the firm in August 2009 after a five-year stint at United Healthcare. He also develops vendor relationships, creates sales strategies, and drives growth by attracting new customers. Jim lives in South Denver, Colorado with his wife and three kids. His hobbies include playing and coaching hockey, golfing and skiing when time permits.
Education: B.A., Communications, University of Denver, 1985.
Chris Breck, CIC, CRM
Senior Vice President, Property & Casualty
P: (312) 867-7359
Chris Breck began working with the team in 1989, and today he manages the day-to-day insurance and business needs of many of the firm's largest and most established clients. Chris acts as a risk manager for his clients, with an emphasis on working to control both risks and overall risk management costs.
His primary responsibility involves the design, marketing and implementation of commercial property and casualty insurance programs. He specializes in delivering alternative risk solutions, including captive insurance programs.
Chris maintains a broad industry focus, which includes manufacturing, service, retail, healthcare, private equity, and nonprofit companies.
Chris graduated from Illinois State University with a B.S. in Marketing/Business Administration. He has been a licensed insurance producer since 1992, has maintained his status as a Certified Insurance Counselor since 1996, and as a Certified Risk Manager since 2010.
Resources
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Employee Benefits
Q2 Compliance Update
Alera Group's quarterly employee benefits compliance roundup will help you stay current on the latest national regulatory developments impacting employers.
June 4, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
Optimize Your Benefits: A Three-Pronged Approach
Want to lower healthcare costs and enrich your benefits program at the same time? If so, this webinar is for you.
June 20, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
[Alera Engage] Benchmarking for the Win: How Does Your Benefits Program Rate?
Ask our clients about the No.1 tool that helps them develop an impactful benefits program, and they'll tell you is benchmarking.
July 18, 2024 at 02:00 pm CT | Virtual
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Retirement Plan Services
Millennials Redefining Retirement
Millennials are reshaping retirement, prioritizing financial freedom over age. Discover their varied retirement plans and challenges like money dysmorphia and debt management.
May 14, 2024
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Property and Casualty
Perfect Storm Hitting Personal Lines of Insurance
A convergence of disruptive forces is hitting the market for personal lines of insurance in 2024, making it extremely challenging for insurers to provide coverage personal property and casualty (P&C) coverage, particularly Home and Auto Insurance.
May 14, 2024
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Wealth Services
Weekly Market Update
Stocks notched a solid gain last week as rate-cut expectations paced the rally as the Q1 earnings season wound down.
May 13, 2024
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Wealth Services
Monthly Market and Economic Update - April 2024
Read about the latest insights on the market and economy from our Director of Investments, Bob Janson.
May 8, 2024
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