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 4,400 employees, 160+ 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 160 Alera Group locations across the country. Wherever you are, we can meet your needs.
Meet Our Team
Ethan Rosenbloom, BFA™, CFP®
Wealth AdvisorEthan is an Advisor at Alera Group Wealth Services, partnering with his father, Eric Rosenbloom. The two work closely with clients assisting in all aspects of their financial lives. Ethan brings extensive experience in building customized financial plans and takes pride in guiding clients towards achieving their goals and enjoying a meaningful retirement.
Ethan started with the team in 2017 as a Financial Planning Analyst, delivering individual financial strategies across a holistic range of disciplines: debt management, savings strategies, investment planning, tax and estate planning, insurance planning, and retirement accumulation and distribution.
Prior to joining the firm, Ethan spent three years at a micro-cap hedge fund, where he led the firm’s accounting, compliance, and operations efforts.
Education: B.S. in Finance, Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business
Credentials: Behavioral Financial Advice (BFA™), Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®)
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.
Joan Settineri Kopinski, GBDS
Senior Vice President, Benefits Consulting | Employee BenefitsJoan is a Senior Vice President of Benefits Consulting who brings organization and execution to the strategies that Brian Uhlig develops for his clients. Joan is responsible for the strategic planning and execution of Health and Welfare programs including vendor management, plan administration, merger/acquisition management, and employee communications. Joan’s years of experience in Human Resources before becoming a benefits consultant provides her with a unique ability to understand and address each client's needs. She has a passion for employee education and ensuring that the programs that are implemented are understood and properly communicated.
Joan enjoys spending time with her daughter and 3 young boys. She is active in her community and is heavily involved with her sons' extracurricular activities: band, cross country, track, travel hockey, theatre and Boy Scouts.
Bradley Shaps
Vice President, Retirement Plan ServicesBradley Shaps is a Vice President at Alera Group Retirement Plan Services. Brad has been with the firm since 2004 and specializes in assisting mid-size companies design, implement, administer, and communicate their qualified retirement plans. Brad is passionate about his role serving as a fiduciary helping employers offer state of the art retirement plans and meet their fiduciary responsibilities.
Prior to joining the firm, Brad served as a Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers and as a Principal at Buck Consultants providing benefit and retirement consulting services and technical expertise to both large and small employers.
Brad is active in his community. He currently serves on the Board of Congregation Beth Shalom. He has served as a member of the Board of Northbrook Citizens for Drug and Alcohol Awareness and has been actively involved with the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago for many years.
Brad earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Illinois and his J.D. from the George Washington University.
Brad enjoys travel, golf, theatre, fantasy football, spending time with his children and cheering for his favorite sports teams, which are the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks, and the Fighting Illini.
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.
Kim Slavik, AINS, CISR
Director of Select Accounts, Risk Management | Property & CasualtyKim is a Director of Select Accounts in the Risk Management division with over 17 years of experience in the insurance industry at both large and small insurance agencies. She supervises the Select Accounts Team as they guide both prospects and clients in managing their business insurance needs. Kim is passionate about helping businesses find cost effective insurance options without sacrificing the quality of their insurance coverage.
Education: B.A. Applied Behavioral Science, Psychology
Credentials: Associate in General Insurance (AINS), Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR)
Resources
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Wealth 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
Sign UpEmployee 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
Sign UpTHOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Wealth Services
Weekly Market Update
Stocks advanced last week despite mixed inflation data, lurching oil prices, and lingering anxiety about the Middle East.
October 15, 2024
Find out moreRetirement Plan Services
IRS Issues Guidance on Student Loan Matching
Thirty percent of adults in the U.S. report having received a student loan to further their education. According to the Federal Reserve, the median student loan debt for those with outstanding balances in 2023 ranged between $20,000 and $25,000. To help ease this financial burden, employers are increasingly offering a match toward student loan repayments as an employee benefit to help alleviate the financial strain. This trend also highlights the increasing focus on addressing student debt within the framework of overall financial wellness initiatives.
October 14, 2024
Find out moreRetirement Plan Services
Helping Employees Avoid Retirement Healthcare Sticker Shock
Housing? Check. Life insurance? Check. Dining out? Check. For most retirees, these types of line items are fairly predictable and factored into their monthly budget. But when it comes to healthcare, the situation can change dramatically. These expenses are often unpredictable and underestimated — and this wild card can disrupt an otherwise carefully planned retirement, leaving many seniors vulnerable.
October 8, 2024
Find out moreProperty and Casualty
5 P&C Insurance Tips for Public Sector Entities
Public sector entities — including counties, cities, town villages, local law enforcement and special service districts — offer vital services to our communities. They also face growing challenges, some from the constituencies they serve, as they navigate heightened public scrutiny, shrinking budgets and inflation. In this challenging environment, having a comprehensive property and casualty (P&C) insurance program, supported by a strong risk management strategy, is more crucial than ever.
October 8, 2024
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