About Us
Our strength lies in the diversity of the communities we serve, and the broad reach of our team allows us to leverage a multitude of resources for the benefit of every client. With long-standing offices in Amarillo, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, and San Angelo, we are proud to be a major player in one of the state’s most dynamic regions. We take pride in being a forward-thinking leader in the risk management industry across West Texas, combining national strength with our trusted local presence to deliver even greater value. Our team works closely with clients to develop tailored strategies that go far beyond standard insurance policies. For us, it’s all about relationships. Earning trust, delivering value, and being there when it matters most.
We embrace a culture rooted in service. Taking the time to walk alongside our clients, understanding their operations, identifying risks, and offering meaningful recommendations that help strengthen and support long-term success. Our boots-on-the-ground approach allows us to bring real-world insights into every conversation and create protection strategies with purpose. That same commitment extends to our communities. We believe in giving back, serving others, and building lasting goodwill.
At Alera Group, our work doesn’t stop once a policy is written. Our Pathway to Client Success is built on ongoing collaboration, proactive support, and thoughtful planning. It’s how we ensure you’re protected and positioned for what’s next.
Meet Our Team
Cliff Craig, CPCU, CIC
Risk Consultant
Cliff attended the University of Texas at Austin and has worked in the insurance industry since 1974, bringing more than five decades of expertise to his clients. Known for his analytical mind and deep knowledge of what he calls “the business of insurance,” Cliff helps clients identify exposures to loss and design insurance-based risk transfer solutions that protect what matters most.
Born in Houston, Cliff has called Amarillo home since 1959 and has long been a leader in the local business community. Outside of work, Cliff values time with his family, traveling, and playing golf.
Johnathan Leonhart, CIC, CRM
Risk Consultant
Johnathan has built a career in the insurance industry, gaining extensive experience negotiating high-risk and high-value contracts for clients in industries such as oil and gas, propane, energy, construction, trucking, manufacturing, restaurants, grocery, convenience stores, and commercial property. He earned his Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Certified Risk Manager (CRM) designations and a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from West Texas A&M University.
A lifelong Amarillo resident, Johnathan and his high school sweetheart are proud parents of identical twin daughters. He enjoys that his career allows him to work with people nationwide. Outside of insurance, he has a passion for food and travel.
LinkedInJeff Neely III, CPCU, CIC
Senior Partner
Jeff has more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry and has been part of our team since 1980. He specializes in medical malpractice and contractor risks and helps clients navigate complex exposures with tailored solutions. A Texas Tech graduate, he earned his finance degree Magna Cum Laude and holds both the CPCU and CIC designations. A past president of the Amarillo Chapter of the Independent Insurance Agents and recipient of the Professional Insurance Person Award, Jeff is recognized for his leadership and expertise.
Outside of work, Jeff enjoys spending time with his family and his ten grandchildren, as well as tennis, golf, fly-fishing, snow skiing, flying, woodworking, playing guitar, and traveling.
Stephenie L. Owen, CPA
VP of Finance
Stephenie brings strong financial leadership and attention to detail to the agency. A Texas Society of CPAs member, she has spent most of her career in Amarillo, aside from a three-year chapter in Dallas. Her roots in the community run deep, and her unique name carries family meaning.
Outside of the office, Stephenie’s greatest joy is her family. She and her husband love cheering on their daughter in sports, camping, and spending time together in the mountains.
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Employee Benefits
New Era, New Options: Understanding the Employee Benefit Impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and Direct Primary Care
With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the employee benefits landscape is shifting. This webinar brings together legislative insight and real-world application to help employers and advisors make informed decisions in a changing regulatory environment.
September 25, 2025 at 02:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Wealth Services
State of the Markets
Join us as we unveil the factors that drive the nation's financial pulse and how they may impact your personal finances.
October 22, 2025 at 12:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
Q4 2025 Quarterly Compliance Webinar
Alera Group's quarterly employee benefits compliance roundup will help you stay current on the latest national regulatory developments impacting employers.
November 4, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Insights
Property and Casualty
Alera Group’s 2025 Property and Casualty Market Update
Alera Group’s 2025 Property and Casualty Market Update, designed as a bridge between Alera Group’s annual Market Outlooks — provides insight into pricing, coverage availability, market capacity and underwriting trends for the balance of 2025.
August 1, 2025
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Employee Benefits
Legal Alert: IRS Issues Affordability Percentage Adjustment for 2026
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released Rev. Proc. 2025-25, which contains the inflation adjusted amounts for 2026 used to determine whether employer-sponsored coverage is “affordable” for purposes of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) employer shared responsibility provisions and premium tax credit program.
July 23, 2025
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Employee Benefits
Legal Alert: Enforcement of the HIPAA Reproductive Health Care Privacy Rule Vacated Nationwide
On June 18, 2025, a federal district court in Texas vacated a significant portion of the HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy (“Final Rule”), which was implemented on April 24, 2024, on a nationwide basis. The Final Rule, which was implemented in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (effectively overturning Roe v. Wade), was intended to protect the ability of individuals to receive reproductive health care when the care is provided lawfully under the circumstances without risk of an individual’s identity or health information being disclosed for purposes of state criminal, civil or administrative investigations (or for imposing liability related to lawfully providing or obtaining reproductive healthcare).
July 21, 2025
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Legal Alert: Employee Benefits Provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
On July 3, 2025, Congress passed a reconciliation bill (the “Reconciliation Act”) previously named the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, but subsequently redesignated “An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.”
July 8, 2025
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