About Us
Since 1999, Champion Benefits has been a trusted partner for our clients. Led by Neil Phillips, who has been consistently recognized as a Top Employee Benefit Advisor by Atlanta Business Chronicle/NAIFA, our mission is to transform the client experience by providing a greater depth and breadth of cutting-edge tools and resources, personalized solutions, innovative thinking, and top tier collaboration.
Our highly vetted and experienced benefits team has become known as a leading curator of advanced benefit solutions. The founding aspirational vision was reflected in “Champion” being part of our name, which means “to work for or fight for the cause of another; to contend for another’s rights.” This continues to undergird our approach and commitment to our clients.
In 2018, Champion Benefits joined Alera Group as the first firm based in Georgia. Since then, Alera Group has grown to become the 11th largest independent insurance and financial services firm in the nation with over 4,200 employees, 180 firms, and thousands of clients across the country.
Throughout this evolution, what remains consistent is holding our clients at the core of our focus. Which is to say, we do employee benefits with you and your employees wellbeing and success at the center of all we do. The Way It Should Be.
Meet Our Team
Rebecca Watters
Senior Account Executive
Rebecca studied Risk Management and Insurance at Georgia State University, where she graduated Cum Laude. She started working in the employee benefits industry in 2012. Rebecca joined Alera Group with nearly 13 years of experience, holding both consulting and leadership roles with her prior firm. She has experience working with clients in all industries and of all sizes but specializes in mid-to-large employers. Rebecca focuses on strategic plan design, alternative funding arrangements, and claims analytics when consulting with clients. She enjoys problem solving, bringing creative solutions to the table, and focusing on the human element of the employee benefits industry. Rebecca’s passion, work ethic, and integrity have helped her to create deep and lasting relationships with her clients and within the industry. Rebecca holds designations as a General Benefits Associate (GBA) and a Certified Self-Funding Specialist (CSFS).
Nick Frazier
Account Manager
Nick joined Alera Group with over seven years of employee benefits experience, managing accounts and leading benefit technology implementations/integrations. Nick has a degree in business/finance and brings front-line experience as well as knowledge of day-to-day challenges of all aspects of employee benefit administration. Nick takes high interest in getting to know his clients and is responsible for supporting day to day employee/HR questions and overseeing vendor project plans and implementations.
Abby Abraham
Account Executive
With over seven years of experience in group benefits, Abby has managed a diverse portfolio of accounts – ranging in size, industry and funding arrangements. His approach is grounded in responsiveness, precision and a commitment to helping clients navigate the complexities of employee benefits. Abby prides himself on providing proactive, solutions-oriented service that empowers employers to support their employees effectively. Abby holds a Bachelors Degree in Public Health and a Masters Degree in Health Administration.
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Employee Benefits
Dynamic Data: Strategies for Success
Join us for this session, as our experts will share how to utilize your organization’s data to create advanced and innovative strategies for success.
July 17, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
Preparing for Open Enrollment: How to Engage and Educate Your Employees on Their Total Benefits Package
In this session, our experts will share guidance on setting yourself up for success during Open Enrollment.
August 21, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
Q3 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.
September 9, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
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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Employee Benefits
Benchmarking: How Do Your Organization’s Employee Benefits Offerings Stack Up?
For the sixth consecutive year, Alera Group is offering a valuable piece of market intelligence: our Healthcare and Employee Benefits Benchmarking Report. We’ll introduce the 2025 edition on its release date, June 26, with a one-hour webinar beginning at 1 p.m. CT.
June 5, 2025
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Reminder: PCORI Fees Due By July 31, 2025
Employers that sponsor self-insured group health plans, including health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) should keep in mind the upcoming July 31, 2025 deadline for paying fees that fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) via Form 720, which was recently updated and released by the IRS.
June 3, 2025
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Benefits Captives: Your Business and What Your Competitors Are Doing
In one form or another, Captive Insurance has existed as a risk management solution for many decades — originally for property and casualty coverage and primarily for large employers. But its viability as a solution for employee benefits and for midsized businesses has increased dramatically in recent years, fueled by volatility in the insurance market in general and by the skyrocketing cost of health insurance in particular.
May 29, 2025
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