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.
Dulaney Farkas
Director of MarketingDulaney joined the firm in 2014 and is the Director of Marketing. Dulaney oversees the marketing team and provides strategic direction for all marketing initiatives. She is responsible for creating the firm's marketing plan with the goal of generating market awareness, new resources, and new business opportunities. She also works closely with the Alera Group firms to help leverage marketing opportunities. The majority of her career has been spent managing advertising, public relations and brand awareness initiatives for professional and financial service firms as well as nonprofit organizations. Dulaney holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Furman University.
Kelsey Fink
Staff AccountantKelsey joined the firm in July 2022 as a Staff Accountant with the Finance Team. In her role, she assists the Controller in analyzing financial information and handles AP processes. Kelsey has her Associate’s in Accounting from Harford Community College and is working towards her Bachelor’s from University of Baltimore.
Corrine Finney
Senior Account ManagerCorinne joined the firm in 2010 and brings with her 15+ years of industry experience. Corinne is a Senior Account Manager for primarily small to mid-size firms. In her role, she assists clients with all aspects of customer service, including proposals, claims, renewals, and day-to-day support. She ensures retention of clients by establishing strong relationships and managing daily communications. Corinne 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. Corinne holds a Life and Health license. She previously sat on the Board of Directors for the Baltimore Junior Association of Commerce and the Bel Air Community Chorus.
Lisa Flynn
Director of Client DeliveryLisa joined the firm in 2020 and is the Director of Client Delivery. She will assist our self-funded clients and internal teams on the renewal coordination, implementation of vendors and overall support. Lisa brings with her over 10 years on the insurance industry. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Stevenson University.
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.
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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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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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
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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
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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
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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
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