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.
Lynn Struck
Account Manager
Lynn joined the firm in 2021 as an Account Manager and brings with her with 20 years of industry experience. In her role, she assists clients will all aspects of customer service, including being a day to day contact and problem solving any issues that may arise. She also assists with benefit plan design and advises, educates, and coordinates internal and external resources to meet clients' needs and expectations. She also facilitates open enrollment meetings and employee education throughout the year. Lynn holds a bachelor’s degree from Frostburg State University as well as a Life and Health License.
Dave Tomasic
Senior Financial Consultant
Dave joined the firm in 2022 and is a Senior Financial Consultant. Dave works with clients to design, implement, and support high-performing benefit plans. He has over 20 years of experience in working with self-funded clients, including forecasting and ongoing plan management. Dave enjoys reviewing claims data to look for trends and cost drivers, and proposing solutions that are tailored to each individual client. He also has extensive experience with actuarial modeling to assist clients with selecting benefit plans that help them attract and retain employees. Dave has a Bachelor of Science degree in Actuarial Mathematics from the Pennsylvania State University and is a Group Benefits Associate (GBA) from the ISCEBS.
John Tunney
VP, HR & Benefits Technology Consulting
John has over 25 years of CFO experience building emerging growth and middle market companies in both the public market and the private sector as well as for profit and not for profit. John and his team provide HR & Benefits Technology consulting to companies in the mid-Atlantic region. Using his past experience in the area of HR administration and information technology, he will support the review and recommendations of preferred vendors and solutions for HR compliance, payroll and benefits admin from a CFO perspective.
John’s experience extends to manufacturing, distribution, online marketing and software development companies. John has also overseen year-end audits of defined contribution plans, pension plans, financial statements and tax returns (including state and federal).
He holds a B.A. from Washington & Lee University, an MBA from Loyola University of Maryland and is a CPA with high distinction.
Lindsay Walker
Vice President
Lindsay joined the firm as an intern in 1999 and currently serves her clients as a Vice President. Lindsay has extensive training in the areas of fully insured medical plans, captives, Group Life, Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Vision and Dental plans across all industries. Lindsay has significant experience with the marketing, sale and implementation of group benefit plans.
Lindsay volunteers her time as a junior board member for Living Classrooms and has been a mentor for the Crossroads School. She was also a Living Classrooms Rising Star in 2016.
Lindsay is originally from Baltimore and attended Roland Park Country School. She graduated from Towson University with her Bachelor of Arts in History. Lindsay also holds her Life & Health 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.
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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Employee Benefits
Setting Your Strategy for the New Year: Alera Group's 2025 Employee Benefits Market Outlook
Our experts will highlight key results from Alera Group’s 2025 Employee Benefits Market Outlook Report and explain how these trends can impact your benefits program this year.
January 16, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
Q4 Considerations: New HIPAA Privacy Considerations
Earlier this year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Final Rule titled HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy.
November 15, 2024
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Employee Benefits
Spotlight on 2025 Benefit Limits
The IRS has released the 2025 benefit plan limits. The following chart shows some of the key limits for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 tax years.
November 15, 2024
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Courts Ablaze with Tobacco Surcharge Class Action Lawsuits
Tobacco surcharges, or an increase in premiums for employees who use tobacco products, are attractive to employers looking to keep their employee population healthy and lower their healthcare costs. But they can go too far, and many employers might not be aware of the limitations.
November 15, 2024
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Key Considerations for All Employers: Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAE) Final Rule
This September, the tri-agencies (Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service, and Health and Human Services) released the long-awaited Final Rule regarding the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAE Final Rule). The Final Rule, which is effective on November 22, 2024, has a series of enforcement dates, most of which begin on plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
November 15, 2024
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