About Us
Since 1999, SIG, an employee benefits firm, has been dedicated to partnering with our clients and providing exceptional customer service. The inspirational basis for our operating business principles is: “If you take care of Baltimore, Baltimore will take care of you.” This philosophy has instilled itself in our culture and practice of all employees. SIG has years of industry experience, which has given us an edge over the competition in the vast wealth of knowledge and resources we have gathered. Our employees are passionate about helping and forming long-lasting relationships with others, and when you partner with us, we become a true extension of your company.
In 2017, SIG 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 2023, 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.
Mission
We go the extra mile to help navigate the healthcare system and marketplace for our clients in order to advise them on the creation of comprehensive benefits plans that align with their core values to maximize their investment while controlling their costs. Our team-oriented approach allows us to become an extension of our clients’ HR departments. Through our vast knowledge and resource base, we keep our clients educated and well informed with the ever-changing healthcare regulations and marketplace.
Core Values
In order to create the organizational culture we desire, we embrace and embody the following core values:
- Partnership
- Integrity
- Creativity
- Flexibility
- Passion
- Collaboration
- Excellence
Meet Our Team
People you can count on. People you can trust.
Jillian Albert
Vice President
As a Vice President, Jillian provides strategic account development and support for large fully insured and self-funded clients. Jillian ensures retention of clients by establishing strong relationships and managing daily communications. She is involved with the preparation of detailed plan design analysis, negotiating renewals, implementation and compliance. She manages internal and external resources to assist with client needs.
Jillian also manages a professional team that focuses primarily on large regional and national accounts. She joined the firm in 2004 and has been in the industry since 2000. She holds her Life and Health license.
Tracy Alt
Associate
Tracy joined the firm in 1997 and is an Associate. Tracy is responsible for meeting the life, disability, and long term care needs of high net worth individuals, doctors and business owners, including estate and business planning. She also focuses on client needs from referrals by her financial planner, attorney, and CPA contacts. Tracy entered the industry in 1991 and holds a Life and Health license.
Theresa Antkowiak-Tassone
Senior Account Coordinator
Theresa joined the firm in 2019 and is a Senior Account Coordinator. In her role she assists the Self-Funded Department with all aspects of customer service, including proposals, audits, renewals, client collateral and day-to-day support. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Economics from Goucher College as well as a Health and Life license.
Beth Appel
Account Coordinator
Beth joined the firm in 2025 as an Account Coordinator. In her role, she works closely with the Account Management team in all aspects of customer service including claims resolution, answering employee benefit inquiries, audits, proposals, open enrollment, and day-to-day support. Beth has been working in the insurance industry for twelve years; she started off working for one of Maryland’s largest TPAs in 2013 then moved over to the broker side in 2016. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Towson University as well as a Health & Life License.
Community Service
Paying it Forward is a core component at our firm. Our culture thrives on community involvement where we proudly support our clients, employees and the communities in which we live and work.
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Employee Benefits
GLP-1s at Scale: Why Weight-Loss Drug Decisions Are Now a Financial Strategy
A GLP-1 decision framework plus scenarios.
July 21, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
Register Here
Employee Benefits
Open Enrollment That Works: Why Employees Do Not Engage — and How Modern Communications Drive Better Choices
Practical communication strategies to strengthen open enrollment effectiveness and employee decision-making.
August 18, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
The Compliance Pathway Q3
Don't miss this ongoing opportunity to ensure you comply with current regulations and are prepared for what's ahead.
September 2, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
Register Here
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
What the 2026 Benchmarking Data Reveals — and Why It Matters Now
On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET, Alera Group will host Benchmarking That Drives Decisions: Why Averages Mislead — and What Best-in-Class Data Reveals, a live webinar designed for HR, finance and executive leaders involved in benefits planning, budgeting and long-term strategy.
June 11, 2026
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Legal Alert: IRS Releases 2027 HSA Contribution Limits and Other Limits
In Rev. Proc. 2026-24, the IRS released the inflation adjusted amounts for 2027 relevant to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs). The table below summarizes those adjustments and other applicable limits.
June 3, 2026
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Legal Alert: PBM Transparency Coming Soon
Two recent movements on the federal level have paved the way for greater pharmacy benefit manager (“PBM”) transparency for group health plans.
May 22, 2026
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Legal Alert: RxDC Reporting Due June 1st
Reminder: RxDC Reporting Due June 1st
February 26, 2026
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