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.
Renee Knighton
Senior Account Manager
Renee joined the firm in April of 2019 and is a Senior Account Manager. She brings with her 20 years of industry experience. Renee focuses her expertise in large group clients by assisting with benefit plan design, advising, educating and coordinating internal and external resources to meet client’s needs and expectations. Renee facilitates open enrollment meetings through the development of employee communication materials and carrier coordination. She ensures retention by establishing strong relationships and providing proactive, consultative expertise based on each client’s unique needs and challenges. Renee holds a Life & Health Insurance License.
Melanie Koch
Senior Benefits Administrator
Mel joined the firm in 2010 in the Individual Department as the assistant. In 2017 she moved into the Administration Department. Mel is now a Senior Benefits Administrator. She is responsible for various administration functions for both small and large, multi-site groups. She also supports the Group Department by conducting benefit audits for our clients.
Lucy Lahr
Marketing and Business Development Coordinator
Lucy joined the firm in 2020. In her role as Business Development Coordinator she is responsible for supporting the marketing and business development efforts of SIG. She handles reporting and tracking for SIG communications, prospect material preparation for the business development team, and other day-to-day support. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Muhlenberg College.
Jill Lohr
Vice President
Jill has been with the firm since 2005 and is our Vice President. She brings with her over 18 years of Employee Benefits experience. Her primary focus is on strategic account development as well as support for large group clients and prospects by assisting with benefit plan design, advising, educating, and coordinating internal and external resources to meet client’s needs and expectations. Jill facilitates and conducts open enrollment meetings through the development of employee communication materials and carrier coordination. In her role, she helps employees understand the benefits that are available to them by being an extension of HR. Jill ensures retention of clients by establishing strong, active relationships, and to provide proactive and consultative expertise based on each client’s unique needs and challenges.
Jill works closely with our carrier/vendor partners to assure we are kept up-to-date with the marketplace and product lines. She is responsible for leading continuous improvement of the firm’s operational elements impacting client service and delivery and ensuring consistency in the Alera Group client experience.
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
Network Performance Strategy: Why Any Provider Costs More — and How to Steer to Value Without Disruption
A steering strategy that improves outcomes and total cost of care.
April 21, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
The Compliance Pathway Q2
Alera Group's quarterly employee benefits compliance roundup will help you stay current on the latest national regulatory developments impacting employers.
May 14, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
PBM Accountability: Why Employers Overpay — and How to Enforce Transparency
A PBM oversight model with accountability built in.
May 19, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
Legal Alert: RxDC Reporting Due June 1st
Reminder: RxDC Reporting Due June 1st
February 26, 2026
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Employee Benefits
IRS Releases Guidance Related to Recent HSA Changes
The IRS recently released Notice 2026-5, which provides guidance and answers to common questions related to the expanded availability of health savings accounts (“HSA”) under the Reconciliation Act (previously named the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) passed into law earlier this year.
December 30, 2025
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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
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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
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