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.
Jessica Mckinney-Land
Communications & Compliance Specialist
Jessica joined the firm in 2018. She works with fully-insured group clients. In her role, Jessica assists clients with preparation of open enrollment materials, benefit brochures, and more. She also manages the 5500 filing process for large group clients and assists with renewal preparation. Jessica brings a wealth of experience to her team, with two decades of working in customer service and healthcare-related fields. Jessica holds a Life and Health license and is also professional artist.
Paul McMahon
Associate
Paul joined the firm in 2011 and is an Associate. Paul works with group clients of all sizes in the Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. and Virginia area. He is responsible for the financial management and forecasting for their employee benefit plans. Prior to the firm, Paul was a Partner of Group Benefit Solutions, which he founded in 2004. Paul holds a Bachelors degree from Bloomsburg University as well as a Life and Health license.
John Moorhead
Account Executive
John joined the firm in 2019 as an Account Executive. He has over 19 years’ experience in the employee benefits sector. John specializes in designing benefit programs that engage employees through education, communication and properly aligned incentives. The goal is to create an environment in which everyone is not only engaged in controlling benefit costs but also focused on being healthy, happy and productive employees. Prior to joining the firm, John worked as a consultant at benefit brokerage firms in the Mid - Atlantic region. He also has past experience working for a national insurance carrier as a large group Sales Representative. John holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Salisbury University as well as Life and Health licenses in Maryland and Virginia.
Brian Morehead
Senior Vice President
Brian is an Employee Benefits Advisor who enjoys evaluating data, reviewing emerging trends and is passionate about helping his clients create and achieve their ideal employee benefits program. Brian and his team focus on Mid-Market employers who are interested in being leaders in providing plans that improve employee health, engagement, employee retention and firm value.
Brian’s career has evolved over the last 20 year from actuarial underwriting work, financial forecasting, and sales to serving as a lead advisor for his clients in reviewing and recommending transformative benefit designs.
Brian holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (a true Cinderella story when they beat the #1 seed in 2018's March Madness) as well as a Life and Health license in Maryland.
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.
We empower our employees to “pay it forward” by fostering a sense of purpose and providing opportunities for impact in our community. One way we do this is by supporting causes and initiatives proposed by our team and providing opportunities to serve the
We empower our employees to “pay it forward” by fostering a sense of purpose and providing opportunities for impact in our community. One way we do this is by supporting causes and initiatives proposed by our team and providing opportunities to serve the wider world. We believe having a culture that encourages serving and giving is a significant contributor to life and career fulfillment, which enhances our overall wellbeing. With the help from our Culture Committee, we have the opportunity to serve our community together with multiple planned events each year.
We strive to creating lasting relationships with our clients. We are proud to support our clients and friends of the firm in their mission and their organizations that help create meaningful, lasting change in our community. Interested in us serving your
We strive to creating lasting relationships with our clients. We are proud to support our clients and friends of the firm in their mission and their organizations that help create meaningful, lasting change in our community.
Interested in us serving your non-profit or organization? Reach out and let us know! Email us here
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Employee Benefits
When Captive Insurance Makes Sense
In this session, our experts will talk about how captives work, the advantages and disadvantages and what you need to know to determine whether they make sense for your organization.
November 21, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
Q4 Compliance Update
Alera Group's quarterly employee benefits compliance roundup will help you stay current on the latest national regulatory developments impacting employers.
December 3, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
Webinar Preview: ‘When Captive Insurance Makes Sense’
As healthcare costs — including those for pharmacy — have continued to skyrocket, the urgency to control healthcare and pharmacy spend has elevated as well, and Captives have surged in popularity. Alera Group's webinar on Captive Insurance will help you determine whether forming or joining a Captive is right for you.
November 7, 2024
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Employee Benefits
Are You Prepared to Comply With the New Mental Health Parity Final Rule in 2025?
On September 9, 2024, the DOL, IRS and HHS released a final rule for the Requirements Related to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA Final Rule). The MHPAEA Final Rule is similar to the proposed rule released on July 25, 2023, with some marked differences. While the MHPAEA Final Rule is effective as of November 22, 2024, the requirements become enforceable at different times. Most apply to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, with other requirements becoming enforceable for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
October 25, 2024
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Legal Alert: IRS Adjusts Health Flexible Spending Account and Other Benefit Limits for 2025
On October 22, 2024, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Revenue Procedure 2024-40, which increases the health flexible spending account (FSA) salary reduction contribution limit to $3,300 for plan years beginning in 2025, an increase of $100 from 2024.
October 23, 2024
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Webinar: Meeting the Needs of an Aging Workforce
Why is recognizing and addressing the priorities of older workers an imperative? Because, as Bain’s analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data determined, workers 55 and older will exceed a quarter of the workforce among G7 nations, including the United States, by 2031. Older workers typically have different priorities and needs compared to their younger colleagues, as Alera Group will examine and discuss on October 17 during the next event in our Engage series of employee benefits webinars, “Meeting the Needs of an Aging Workforce.”
October 3, 2024
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