About Us
Our History
Since 1975, GCG Financial, LLC, has been a trusted partner for our clients. Our mission has been to enhance the financial security of the businesses and families we serve through exceptional employee benefits, risk management, and wealth management solutions.
In 2017, GCG Financial and 23 other like- minded, entrepreneurial firms came together to form Alera Group. Since then, Alera Group has grown to over 4,200 employees, 190+ locations, and thousands of clients across the country.
In 2022, 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.
Our Team
Trusted. Smart. Passionate.
Our team has a sincere commitment to the long- term success of our clients. With an emphasis on collaboration and teamwork, we create unique solutions that fit the distinct needs of each client. We are passionate about doing what is right for every client, driven by the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, integrity, character, fairness, trust, and confidence.
Our Presence
Our clients benefit from the expertise and resources of a large national firm, while still maintaining the advantages of local service and relationships. We leverage powerful relationships, industry experience, and resources with the goal of supporting our clients’ business strategies and elevating the experience of working with us.
Above all, our firm believes in empowering people – our clients, our team, and the individuals in the communities where we live and work.
We are headquartered in Deerfield, IL, with offices throughout Illinois and Colorado, along with more than 150 Alera Group locations across the country. Wherever you are, we can meet your needs.
Meet Our Team
Mitchell A. Ratnow
Vice President, Wealth ServicesMitch combines strong interpersonal skills with a solid Wealth Services background. His primary areas of knowledge include investment strategies, personal insurance planning, and business solutions that incorporate employee benefits. He often acts as a mentor to new Alera Group associates. Mitch’s long-term client relationships include executives, professionals, and business owners. He has an innate ability to communicate straightforward solutions to complex problems in an easily understood fashion. His ability to maintain warm client relationships while recommending client-centered solutions for business and personal finances has repeatedly positioned him as a valuable long-term resource to his clients.
Mitch and his wife live in Vernon Hills, Illinois with their three children. He enjoys playing sports, working out, and spending time with family and friends. Mitch is active in a number of charities and organizations.
Education: B.A., Liberal Arts and Sciences, Northern Illinois University.
Investment advisory services offered through Alera Investment Advisors, LLC. Securities offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth.
CA license # 0C06632
Eric Rauscher, CLU®, ChFC®
Vice President, Benefits ConsultingHaving joined the firm in 1986, Eric has over 35 years of valued experience in the Employee Benefits industry. As a Vice President at Alera Group, his specialty is working with medium to large businesses (10-2,500 employees) in the development and review of their employee benefit programs, including group insurance plans, qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, executive benefit programs, business succession strategies, and the personal insurance and wealth accumulation needs of the executive team. Eric maintains a client base that includes more than 250 physicians and medical practices.
He has served for seven years on the Board of Directors of Premier Resource Group (PRG), a marketing organization of accomplished advisors located throughout the United States. Eric was also a member of the firm’s former Black-Tie Club, reserved for high producing Advisors. Additionally, Eric is active in many charitable and civic organizations. He is a second-generation speaker for The Illinois Holocaust Museum, as well as a previous President of his Homeowners Association.
Eric is married with one child and two grandchildren. He enjoys spending quality time with his family, especially traveling.
Education: B.S., Education, Indiana State University
Credentials: CLU®, ChFC®
"Alera Group" is a brand name utilized by Alera Group, Inc. and certain subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively "Alera").
Securities offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth.
CA license # 0F05221
Michael Resnick, BFA™, CFP®
Senior Wealth Advisor | Wealth ServicesMichael brought a vast array of business skill when he joined the team. His acumen extends from the financial markets and risk mitigation to financial planning for business owners and families. Michael’s focus is on helping families and business owners grow and protect their wealth in a tax-efficient manner, helping to allow the transfer of wealth to future generations.
Always the entrepreneur, Michael has built businesses on the trading floors of Chicago as well as in the fast-paced world of hedge funds. His practice is built around relationships with his clients that extend beyond the products used to implement the financial strategies. His philosophy is that the plan itself is paramount to the success of his clients. Michael has always felt that giving back is a very important and rewarding part of life. He has continued his involvement with Brandeis University as a member of the National Board of Directors of the Alumni Association as well as involvement with other charitable organizations, both local and national.
Michael and his wife live in Deerfield, Illinois with their three daughters. Michael enjoys watching his children’s activities as well as getting out on the golf course to try to regain the elusive single-digit handicap.
Credentials: Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), FINRA Series 7 and 66 Securities registrations, licensed in Life, Health, and Long-Term Care insurances.
Education: Brandeis University, Northwestern University
Investment Advisory Services offered through Alera Investment Advisors, LLC. Securities offered through Triad Advisors, LLC., Member FINRA/SIPC. Triad Advisors LLC is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Triad Advisors.
Brent Rosen, CBC
Senior Vice President, Benefits Consulting | Employee BenefitsBrent Rosen is a Senior Vice President of Benefits Consulting. Since joining the firm, Brent has specialized in serving the mid-market segment and works with clients across the country. Brent supports multiple middle-market private equity firms as they work to achieve economies of scale and deliver value to their portfolio companies with respect to benefit plan enhancements, cost savings, and acquisition due-diligence.
Brent has developed considerable expertise in working with multi-location companies, and those growing through acquisition. Brent also functions as the Co-Managing Broker for the firm’s Veterinary Employee Benefits Practice and has served proudly as the American Animal Hospital Association’s (AAHA) preferred provider for employee benefits since 2009.
In addition to group medical and ancillary lines of insurance, Brent also works to provide expert and objective guidance with respect to 401(k) and other salary-deferral plans, pension and profit-sharing plans, deferred-compensation plans, and executive benefits. Brent has also earned the Chartered Benefits Consultant (CBC) designation, provided by the National Association of Alternative Benefits Consultants, which demonstrates his expertise in Consumer-Driven Health Plans.
Brent provides a unique strategic perspective to employee benefits with a focus on long-term sustainability of his clients’ plans. Brent’s practice is built on a foundation of education and believes his focus on educating his clients’ employees and their benefit administrators has been a key factor in his success.
Brent is a graduate of Indiana University and spent a semester abroad in Florence, Italy. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Brent has lived in Chicago since 2002. He enjoys playing guitar, exercising, reading, cooking, and is an enthusiastic world traveler. Brent is also an active member of the firm’s Hardly Riders Team and participates annually in a nationwide charitable ride that raises money for research for rare cancers.
Education: B.S. Finance, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University
Credentials: Investment Advisory Services offered through Alera Investment Advisors, LLC and Securities offered through Triad Advisors, LLC; Member FINRA/SIPC.
206382 11/2017
Resources
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Employee Benefits
Meeting the Needs of an Aging Workforce
Our experts will provide tips and insights about how to incorporate Medicare, menopause benefits, retirement, communications best practices and other hot topics for older workers into your program successfully and without breaking the bank.
October 17, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
Sign UpWealth Services
State of the Markets
Join us as we unveil the factors that drive the nation's financial pulse and how they may impact your personal finances.
October 23, 2024 at 11:00 am CT | Virtual
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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
Sign UpTHOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
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
Find out moreEmployee Benefits
Wellbeing Fair Sessions — When and Where You Like
Themed “Live for Tomorrow,” Alera Group's 2024 Employee Wellbeing Fair is now available online, where you can access all eight sessions, select which ones you want to view and watch them at your convenience.
October 2, 2024
Find out moreWealth Services
Weekly Market Update
Stocks moved higher last week, continuing to build on the momentum generated after the Federal Reserve decided to cut short-term rates by 0.50 percent.
September 30, 2024
Find out moreProperty and Casualty
What To Do About the High Cost of Insurance for Transportation and Logistics Companies
Here’s a close look at three major insurance challenges for transportation and logistics companies, along with practical steps you can take to address them.
September 26, 2024
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