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.
Chris Wiley
Manager of Data Analytics and Financial Analysis
Chris joined the firm in 2008 and is the Manager of Data Analytics and Financial Analysis. As an analyst, Chris uses a proprietary suite of analytic tools to recommend financial solutions. Chris prepares financial/clinical reporting and also works with consultants to examine results of complex financial modeling and analytics. In his current role, he provides detailed analysis to clients concerning their benefit costs, proposed benefit plan designs and deduction modeling scenarios. He designs concise reports illustrating the financial impact of multiple strategies. Chris is an integral part of the strategic team in assisting clients with their budgetary needs in preparing cost per head reports, historical claim analysis, catastrophic claimant breakdowns, and deduction modeling. Chris holds a Bachelor’s degree from Towson University as well as a Life and Health license.
Brooke Wingate
Benefits Administrator
Brooke joined the firm in September 2021 as a Benefits Administrator. In her role, she assists the Administration Team with various administrative functions for small, large, and multi-site groups and by conducting benefit audits. She is a graduate from the University of Kentucky, where she studied Communications.
Paula Wohlfort
Account Executive
Paula works with both large and small group fully insured clients as well as self-funded clients. In her role, she assists with everything from client and employee support to renewals and open enrollment. She has over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry.
In addition, Paula also works with individual clients regarding service issues as well as processing individual life applications to ensure the policy is issued.
Paula holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Baltimore
and holds a Life & Health license in the state of Maryland.
Gale Woods, LUTCF, RHU
Senior Vice President
Gale joined the firm in 1989 and is Senior Vice President. Gale provides strategic account development and vital support for large regional and national self-funded employers, and is considered an expert in the field. She is dedicated to the account management of current clients and the development of new client relationships. Using her expertise, Gale is able to formulate a detailed plan design analysis of various benefits to aid clients in making informed decisions regarding their benefits. Gale holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Denison University. Gale is a current board member of the American Red Cross, Central Maryland and a former board member of Baltimore County Department of Social Services. She holds the Registered Health Underwriter (RHU) and Life Underwriting Training Council Fellow (LUTCF) designations as well as her Life and 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
Sign Up
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
Sign Up
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
Sign Up
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
Find out more
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
Find out more Employee Benefits
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
Find out more Employee Benefits
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
Find out more