Baltimore, MD

    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.

    Mark Glinowiecki

    Associate
    Mark Glinowiecki

    Mark joined the firm in 2009 and is an Associate. A 30+-year veteran of the insurance industry, Mark brings the firm’s clients an extensive background in broker insurance sales of medical, dental, vision, life, disability, as well as many other employee benefits.  Mark partners with employers of all sizes, across many different industries that are located locally, nationally and internationally. He is responsible for putting together and maintaining a cost effective and competitive employee benefits program that will attract and retain high quality employees.  His daily routine consists of navigating through the maze of the insurance industry on behalf of his clients to insure they receive the benefits they have selective and paid for. He currently holds a Life and Health License in Maryland. He sits on the Board of Directors for the Historical Society of Baltimore County and Archbishop Curley High School Alumni Association. Mark is also on the membership committee for the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce.

    Alex Gregorie-Cope

    Proposal and Financial Analyst
    Alex Gregorie-Cope

    Alex joined the firm in 2021 as a Fully Insured Proposal and Financial Analyst. Alex prepares client cost-sharing analyses to include Medical, Dental, Vision, and Ancillary lines of coverage. With a focus on client financials, Alex is often working on employee deduction modeling, executive summaries, and HRA utilization projections. Alex holds a Life and Health license.

    Jasmine Hemphill

    Account Coordinator
    jasmine hemphill

    Jasmine joined the office in April 2024 as an Account Coordinator with the Fully Insured Department. She assists Account Managers with all aspects of customer service including claim issues, audits, open enrollments, renewals, benchmarking and day-to-day support. Jasmine brings a wealth of experience, with more than 6 years working in employee benefits.

    Emily Heuler

    Senior Account Manager
    Emily Heuler

    Emily joined the firm in 2020 and is currently a Senior Account Manager. She brings with her 6 years of insurance industry experience. Emily works with primarily small group clients. 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. Emily holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Marketing from Virginia Tech as well as a 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.

    Photo of SIG team

    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

    SIG during christmas

    EXPERT EDUCATION

    Events and Webinars

    Employee Benefits

    [Alera Engage] Benchmarking for the Win: How Does Your Benefits Program Rate?

    Ask our clients about the No.1 tool that helps them develop an impactful benefits program, and they'll tell you it's benchmarking.

    July 18, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual

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    Stock image displaying the words Alera Engage

    Employee Benefits

    Driving Communications and Engagement: Open Enrollment

    Our experts will walk you through a strategic planning process to make sure you’re sharing in a way that not only drives employee awareness and engagement but also reaches your workforce across platforms with what they need to know about choosing the right benefits for them and their families. 

    August 15, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual

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    Alera Engage - Webinar

    Employee Benefits

    Q3 Compliance Update

    Alera Group's quarterly employee benefits compliance roundup will help you stay current on the latest national regulatory developments impacting employers.

    September 3, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual

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    Webinar graphic - Alera Engage

    THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

    Insights

    Employee Benefits

    Benefits Benchmarking Webinar: What To Do With the Data

    If you’re designing your company’s employee benefits program, you want to know what your peers and competitors are offering. Employee retention and talent acquisition are largely dependent on whether you offer a benefits package that meets or exceeds the standards of your industry, location and company size while managing costs in an increasingly expensive market for healthcare and pharmaceuticals. That’s why Alera Group places a high priority on using benchmarking data and analysis to inform and otherwise serve our clients.

    July 1, 2024

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    Employee Benefits

    How To Lower Healthcare Costs While Improving Benefit Offerings

    Join us on June 20 for a one-hour webinar designed to help you eliminate wasteful healthcare spending while providing your employees with benefits that attract and retain talent. We’ll take you through our three-step solution.

    June 11, 2024

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    Employee Benefits

    Legal Alert: PCORI Fees Due by July 31, 2024

    Employers that sponsor self-insured group health plans, including health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) should keep in mind the upcoming July 31, 2024, deadline for paying fees that fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) via Form 720, which was recently updated and released by the IRS.

    June 7, 2024

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    Employee Benefits

    Legal Alert: CMS Redesigns the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program Beginning in 2025

    As a result of the changes to Medicare Part D under §11201 of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, on April 1, 2024, CMS released Final Redesign Program Instructions (“Final Program Instructions”) for the Medicare Part D prescription drug program, which are effective starting in 2025.

    May 30, 2024

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