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
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.
Kari Tamillo
Director of Insurance UnderwritingKari Tamillo has worked at GCG Financial since 1996 in varying capacities where currently finds herself as the Director of Insurance Underwriting. With over 21 years of experience, Kari is exceptionally well versed in the realm of insurance, overseeing and managing the individual, DI and LTC insuring process. Over her time with GCG Financial, Kari’s role has evolved extensively. This change allows Kari to hone her expertise through interactions with agents, carriers, and outside brokerage firms. The versatility of her daily role gives her a unique perspective as she serves the clients of GCG. Currently, Kari is studying for her CLU designation, which will bring even more versatility and change to her role. Above all, Kari continues to pursue growth, personally and professionally, in this industry.
In her free time, Kari enjoys going for long walks and relaxing with a good book. Additionally, she cherishes family time and loves getting together with her 3 grown children, along with her husband, Tony and their dog Paisley.
Brian Uhlig, CPBS
Senior Partner | Employee BenefitsBrian is an Employee Benefits Consultant who, as one of the first 30 accredited advisors of The Health Rosetta, enjoys disrupting the healthcare status quo and is passionate about helping his clients create and achieve their ideal employee benefits program. Brian and his team focus on large, multi-site employers who are interested in being leaders in providing plans that improve employee health, engagement, and firm value.
Brian has a BBA in Accounting from the University of Iowa. In addition to his 20 years at the firm, his 25 years of experience include an early career in banking, leading a large office for an international consulting firm.
Brian is also a Certified Pharmacy Benefits Specialist, CPBS™ and is a Certified Outcomes Report Analysis Pro (CORA Pro) through the Validation Institute and has created a community with his clients all focused on creating better outcomes and benefits plans that work for their employees and not the healthcare system.
In 2023, Brian was named the Advisor of the Year by the Validation Institute.
Brian is married with four teenagers and stays active by playing tennis, biking, golfing and skiing.
Education: B.B.A., Accounting, University of Iowa
Fernando Verduzco
Customer Service Manager | Employee BenefitsFernando is a Customer Service Manager. He establishes relationships with vendors and maintains a line of communication to address client concerns. Fernando also identifies and implements process improvements to streamline team efforts while also enchaining the service provided to clients. Lastly, Fernando is responsible for providing guidance and support to the firm’s Client Relations Coordinators to assist them in meeting our clients’ needs.
Fernando has held management positions across agriculture, retail, and business solutions. For the last five years, he has worked in employee benefits. Specifically, he’s worked with employers on their health & welfare benefits.
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
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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
Property and Casualty
Umbrella Insurance for Businesses: Peace of Mind in an Increasingly Unpredictable World
Whereas a skilled agent can help provide businesses with adequate insurance against property losses by following a predictable formula, the unpredictability of liability claims underscores how important it is for businesses to buy as much Umbrella/Excess Liability coverage as they can afford.
September 18, 2024
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Weekly Market Update
Stocks rallied last week as investors received better-than-expected consumer and producer inflation data.
September 16, 2024
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Monthly Market and Economic Update - August 2024
Read about the latest insights on the market and economy from our Director of Investments, Bob Janson.
September 12, 2024
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General Liability Insurance in 2024: Navigating a Complex Landscape
While some aspects of General Liability Insurance have largely turned a corner from a prolonged hard market, the outlook in other areas looks much less cheery. Overall, the market has finally improved after several challenging years, offering signs of stabilization.
September 12, 2024
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