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.
Jess Currano
Associate Account Manager
After interning with the firm throughout college, Jess returned as full-time member of the fully- insured team in 2017. In her role as Associate Account Manager, she assists Account Managers with all aspects of customer service, including benchmarking, audits, open enrollment, client collateral and day-to-day support. Jess brings a wealth of experience, with more than ten years working in customer service.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Shippensburg University.
Gina Dawson
Account Executive
Gina joined the firm in 2014 and is an Account Executive with 25 years of insurance industry experience. She works with small to mid-size groups as well as all IMD clients including Medicare Supplement. She assists clients with all aspects of customer service, including proposals, claims, renewals and day-to-day support. Gina helps to ensure the retention of clients by establishing strong relationships and holds a Health and Life license.
Ronald E. Drager, JR.
Associate
Ron joined the firm in 1997 and is an Associate. Ron’s focus is on group employee benefits plans, with a concentration on group health, disability, and group and individual life. Ron holds a degree in Marketing Management. He has served on the Broker Counsel for CareFirst BlueCross/BlueShield, Coventry HealthCare and United HealthCare/MAMSI and is a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters, his Chamber of Commerce, Bond Meadow Rotary and the Knights of Columbus. He also has sat on the Board of Directors for Target Community and Educational Services for 12 years and United Way of Carroll County, Maryland. He is currently on the Carroll Hospital Foundation Board as well as the Board of a non-profit organization, “Together We Own It."
Lauren Durfey
Account Manager
Lauren joined the firm in 2017 and is a Account Manager. She works with both large and small group fully insured clients. In her role, she assists with everything from client and employee support to renewals and open enrollment.
Prior to joining the Baltimore office, Lauren spent 10 years in an administrative capacity with a medical provider, working directly with both insurance carriers and patients alike. She brings with her a unique understanding of the healthcare industry and offers valuable support for clients’ group administrators, while remaining a strong advocate for employees.
Lauren holds a Life & Health license in the state of Maryland, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree from Towson University, where she studied Electronic Media & Film.
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