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
Duane Stevens, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CLTC, CFS, BFA™
Senior Vice President, Wealth ServicesDuane has been passionate about the field of financial services since 1996. He works closely with his clients to develop, implement, and review financial solutions. Duane specializes in working with small-to-medium-sized businesses in the selection and implementation of various programs, including business continuation, pension, medical, disability, and non-qualified retirement strategies. He also works with individuals and is well known in the medical community, helping physicians implement a variety of financial strategies.
Duane lives in Naperville, Illinois with his wife and two children. He enjoys golfing, boating, and traveling.
Education: B.S., Marketing and Insurance/Finance, Illinois State University.
Credentials: Behavioral Financial Advice (BFA™), Certified Financial Planner™ Professional (CFP®), Certified Fund Specialist (CFS), Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), Certified in Long-Term Care (CLTC), Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®), and Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFATM)
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 # 0C87991
Christopher Strubel
Senior Wealth Advisor | Wealth ServicesChris came to the firm with a background in banking. The knowledge he retained from working with individuals on their day-to-day finances provided a great learning experience on how to look at the current needs of a family, as well as, future strategies. Chris now specializes in helping families and businesses owners with current and long-term financial goals. As a Senior Advisor, Chris is dedicated to developing leadership and assists both new and veteran advisors pursue their strengths. One of his passions is equipping advisors to serve their clients in the best ways possible and with the client’s needs first. Chris demonstrates the knowledge and resources to help advisors take their practices up a notch, communicating drive and vision to each advisor that he mentors.
Chris was born and raised in beautiful Colorado. After graduating from Colorado State University where he studied Business Management, he became a Golf Professional. He feels the years spent in the golf industry were vital in building his communication and teaching skills. His time in the golf industry also helped him build several life-long relationships, which he still cherishes today. Chris is a firm believer in the importance of building and maintaining relationships and his practice is built around that philosophy.
Chris enjoys various outdoor activities including golf, snowboarding, wakeboarding, softball and countless more. He is a huge sports fan and regularly attends as many sporting events as time allows. He is also very family oriented. Chris enjoys spending time with his family as much as possible and cherishes how close they all are. Chris approaches his clients and his business in the same manner, with respect, loyalty, honesty and appreciation.
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.
Jose Alfredo Suarez, AINS, CRIS, CAWC, CLCS
Risk Management Consultant | Property & CasualtyJose Alfredo Suarez is a Risk Management Consultant who specializes in Business Insurance with a focus on the construction, manufacturing, and hospitality industries. Jose excels at educating his clients on many controlled variables that are used to determine insurance premiums. After performing a risk management assessment, his clients can expect a tailored insurance program that provides comprehensive insurance coverage that protects their business and employees and can open the door to future contracting opportunities.
With close to two decades of experience in the insurance industry, Jose has carved out a special niche working with the top Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE) certified companies in the Midwest. Through his education, experience and training, Jose is an expert in understanding complex insurance requirements and designing a company’s insurance program for compliance and proper risk transfer.
Jose is passionate about educating his clients on commercial insurance, how to access surety bonds and the ins and outs of developing strong safety programs. He currently serves as an insurance and bonding consultant to the Illinois Tollway under their Technical Assistance program powered by the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, is a featured speaker for the Illinois Department of Transportation Today’s Challenge Tomorrow’s Reward annual DBE conference, a featured presenter for the Chicago Transit Authority’s Building Small Business (BSB) program and has been featured in Construction Executive magazine. In 2018, Jose was recognized by Negocios Now 2018 class of 40 under 40 Latinos in Chicago and was named to Insurance Business America’s 2022 Hot 100 list.
Born and raised in Chicago’s Humboldt Park community, Jose would go on to become the first in his family to graduate and earn his bachelor’s degree from Cornell College double majoring in Political Science and Ethnic Studies. Jose currently holds his Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS), Associate in General Insurance (AINS), Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS) and Certified Authority in Workers’ Compensation (CAWC) designations. Jose is an active member of the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association, the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Residential Home Builders Alliance, serves on the Advisory Council for the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement, is a Board Trustee of the Humboldt Park Health Foundation, a Board Member of the Latino Real Estate Investors Council and is the co-founder of the Executive Latino Council.
Residing in Mount Prospect, Jose is married with two young boys. During his free time Jose enjoys road trips with his family, basketball, golf, triathlon training, competitive stair climbing and has competed in numerous marathons.
Stephanie Svenson
Director of Preferred Accounts | Employee BenefitsStephanie oversees the team of Account Managers and Benefit Coordinators in the middle-market employee benefits space. She strategically partners on accounts to help develop client relationships. Stephanie provides excellent client service and has a high record of retention.
Before joining the firm, Stephanie had a career in retail leadership for 25 years. In addition to that, she ran her own business as a managing broker for a real estate brokerage firm.
Resources
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Latest Updates on the Maryland Paid Family and Medical Leave Act
We invite you to join our interactive webinar to review the newly proposed Maryland Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) regulations.
November 19, 2024 at 10:00 am ET | 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
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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
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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Weekly Market Update
Stocks posted modest gains last week, with quarterly earnings season in full swing and the election on the horizon.
October 21, 2024
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Avoiding Self-Sabotage in Investing
Discover how emotions like fear, greed, and overconfidence can impact your investment decisions and learn ways to overcome them.
October 17, 2024
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Weekly Market Update
Stocks advanced last week despite mixed inflation data, lurching oil prices, and lingering anxiety about the Middle East.
October 15, 2024
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