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.
Nicole Ports
Senior Account Manager
Nicole joined the firm in 2005 and is a Senior Account Manager. Nicole focuses her expertise for clients primarily in the small to mid-size firms. She ensures retention of clients by establishing strong relationships and managing daily communications. Nicole prepares detailed plan design analysis of various benefits to aid clients in making informed decisions regarding their benefit package and provides informative open enrollment meetings. She is a valuable resource for both clients and their employees. Nicole holds a Life & Health license.
Addie Powles
Communications Specialist
Addie joined the firm in 2025 and is a Communication Specialist supporting the fully insured teams. Previously a Benefits Coordinator with Alera Group Midwest for three years, Addie supported the mid-market client service needs before moving into her current role. She is primarily responsible for the development and creation of benefit overviews and employee communication materials, offering both templated and customized pieces to meet each client’s specific needs.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, as well as a Life and Health license.
Katie Rivera
Senior Account Coordinator
Katie joined Alera Group in 2023 and is now serving clients as a Senior Account Coordinator. Working with both small and large clients, Katie assists with customer service inquiries and day-to-day support for the team.
Before coming to Alera Group, Katie was Head Optician for a pediatric ophthalmologist and has extensive experience in vision benefits, as well as customer and patient care.
RICHARD B. SILBERSTEIN, CLU, CHFC, RHU
National Strategic Advisor, Advanced Healthcare Strategy
Richard Silberstein serves as National Strategic Advisor for Alera Group’s Advanced Healthcare Strategy (AHS) team, where he works with large self-funded employers to rethink the way healthcare is financed, delivered, and experienced. A leader known for challenging the status quo, Richard helps organizations take control of healthcare outcomes—not just renew a plan—by bringing together data, strategy, and execution with measurable accountability.
Alongside a national team of pharmacy, clinical, financial, and cost-containment experts, Richard architects high-performance health plan strategies that reduce trend, improve quality of care, and strengthen employee experience. His work spans GLP-1 and specialty pharmacy strategy, advanced analytics, transparency-driven PBM models, direct primary care and value-based contracting, high-cost claimant navigation, and enterprise-level communication design to increase benefits understanding and engagement.
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
Benchmarking That Drives Decisions: Why Averages Mislead — and What Best-in-Class Data Reveals
A clear, data-driven view of the 2026 employee benefits landscape grounded in benchmarking results.
June 16, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
Register Here
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
Register Here
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
Legal Alert: RxDC Reporting Due June 1st
Reminder: RxDC Reporting Due June 1st
February 26, 2026
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Employee Benefits
IRS Releases Guidance Related to Recent HSA Changes
The IRS recently released Notice 2026-5, which provides guidance and answers to common questions related to the expanded availability of health savings accounts (“HSA”) under the Reconciliation Act (previously named the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) passed into law earlier this year.
December 30, 2025
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Legal Alert: Agencies Clarify How Certain Fertility Benefits May be Treated as Excepted Benefits
This alert is of interest to all employers that offer fertility benefits or may be interested in offering fertility benefits in the future.
November 4, 2025
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Legal Alert: IRS Adjusts Health Flexible Spending Account and Other Benefit Limits for 2026
This alert is of interest to all employers that sponsor health FSAs and qualified transit plans, among others.
October 10, 2025
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