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.
Brenda Cogar
Commissions Manager
Brenda joined the firm in 2002 and is the Commissions Manager. In her role, she is responsible for receiving commission payment from various carriers, managing the commission tracking process, projecting expected revenue, and researching and resolving commission issues. In addition to her work with the commissions process, Brenda works with the finance team on the firm's AR and AP processes. Brenda holds a Bachelor of Science degree in History from Iowa State University.
Jenna Connelly
Account Manager
Jeana joined the firm in 2016 and is currently an Account Manager. She brings with her over 10 years of insurance industry experience, and over 20 years of customer service experience. In her role, she assists clients with all aspects of customer service, including proposals, claims, renewals, and day-to-day support. She researches, reviews and resolves claim and enrollment issues promptly and offers valuable support for group administrators and employees. She ensures retention of clients by establishing strong relationships and managing daily communications. Jeana holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from University of Baltimore, as well as a Life and Health license.
Sharon Connelly
Administration Manager
Sharon joined the firm in 2004 and is the Administration Manager. Her primary focus is on large, multi-site groups. Sharon functions as a liaison between her clients and the various insurance carriers. She advises employees on eligibility, coverage, and other benefit matters. Sharon has been in the industry since 1999 and has an Associates Degree in Business Management with a concentration in Accounting from Strayer University as well as a Life and Health license.
Tasha Connelly
Client Operations Associate
Tasha joined the firm in 2012 and is a Client Operations Associate. She brings with her 16 years insurance industry experience. Tasha works primarily with small group clients. In her role, she assists account managers with all aspects of customer service, including proposals, audits, renewals, client collateral and day to day support. She researches, reviews, and resolves claim and enrollment issues promptly and offers valuable support for group administrators and employees.
Previously, Tasha was a Benefits Administrator on the administration team. That experience allowed her to gain an excellent understanding of enrollment, third party administrator and carrier systems.
Tasha holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration as well as her Life & Health and Property & Casualty insurance licenses.
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
Navigating Medicare: Educational Webinar
The knowledgeable team at Alera Group is here to help you navigate your Medicare options to ensure you feel confident in your post-65 healthcare coverage.
November 12, 2025 at 12:00 pm CT | Virtual
Sign Up
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
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
Find out more
Employee Benefits
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
Find out more Employee Benefits
2025 Leave Report: Insights to Guide 2026 Leave Planning
Explore Alera Group’s 2025 Leave Report. Benchmark PTO, parental leave, and holiday policies to strengthen employee retention and recruitment as you plan for 2026 and beyond.
October 1, 2025
Find out more Employee Benefits
Legal Alert: IRS Issues Affordability Percentage Adjustment for 2026
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released Rev. Proc. 2025-25, which contains the inflation adjusted amounts for 2026 used to determine whether employer-sponsored coverage is “affordable” for purposes of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) employer shared responsibility provisions and premium tax credit program.
July 23, 2025
Find out more