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
John Fisher, CFP®, CPFA®
Vice President, Wealth Services![Photo of John Fisher](/sites/g/files/sujchg151/files/2024-03/Fisher%2C-John.png)
John is a Financial Planner with Alera Group, assisting both individual and business clients in all areas of financial planning (investments, insurance, college funding, estate planning, retirement and tax strategies).
John is an independent advisor, with the ability to provide solutions that are tailored to his clients. Each of his client’s needs are different; so is every financial plan. There are no cookie-cutter solutions.
John graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Finance, Investments & Banking, a minor in Accounting and is a Certified Financial Planner™. John also has his Life and Health Licenses, along with having his Series 7 and Series 66 for investments and investment advisory.
John lives in Lombard, IL with his wife, Katie, and has 3 children, Patrick, Grace and Sean. He enjoys golf, softball, football, basketball, music, and spending time with family and friends.
Education: B.S. Finance/Accounting, Northern Illinois University
Credentials: Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®)
"Alera Group Wealth Services" is a brand name utilized by Alera Group, Inc and certain subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively "Alera").
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.
CA license # 0I37979
Bruce Friedman
Senior Vice President, Wealth Services![Photo of Bruce Friedman](/sites/g/files/sujchg151/files/2024-03/Friedman%2C-Bruce.png)
Bruce focuses his practice on helping people who are going through difficult transitions, such as divorce, death of a spouse, and personal injury matters including special needs, trusts, and those involving other business owners. He is sensitive to those with budgeting needs, investment management or insurance issues and seeks to find solutions designed to protect his clients.
Bruce participates frequently at a number of conferences, including the Illinois State Bar Association- Family Law Section, The Chicago Bar Association-Family Law Section, The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, American Banking Institute, Cannon Trust School, and various think tank discussions. Bruce has worked in the financial industry since 1989. He began his career at Northern Trust in Chicago, specializing in Large Corporate ERISA as well as Personal Trust and Investment Management. Bruce is former Chairman of the City of Highland Park Traffic Commission and a member of The Chicago Estate Planning Council.
Bruce and his wife live in Highland Park, Illinois. He is a passionate traveler who enjoys exploring new places with his family. Bruce is also active in tennis and pickle and is an avid fisherman. He is now a Board member of Building Peaceful Bridges, an organization helping refugees integrate into American culture.
Education: B.A., Syracuse University; Divorce Mediation Training, 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.
Cory Friedman, CBC
Senior Vice President, Benefits Consulting | Employee Benefits![Photo of Cory Friedman](/sites/g/files/sujchg151/files/2024-01/Cory-Friedman-Headshot.jpg)
Cory Friedman is a Senior Vice President of the firm’s Benefits Consulting practice. Cory specializes in the small group and mid-market segments, and has developed considerable expertise working in the veterinary industry.
Cory works to provide guidance and objective analysis of group insurance benefits, and is currently responsible for the health insurance and employee benefit programs of hundreds of privately held organizations across the country.
In 2016, Cory was selected as a Young Gun Award recipient by Insurance Business America, which recognizes young professionals making a significant impact in the insurance industry. Cory was also named a “Rising Star” in 2017 and 2018 by Employee Benefit Adviser, earning recognition as one of 20 advisers nationally age 35 and younger who exhibit quick thinking, openness to change, and the ability to navigate the ever-changing employee benefit landscape. In 2021, Cory was selected as an “Excellence in Benefits” Award Recipient by Employee Benefit News (EBN), one of only 4 standout advisors recognized nationally.
Cory lives in Chicago, Illinois and enjoys spending time with his family. He also likes playing hockey, interior design and architecture/real estate, classic cars, reading, and writing.
Education: B.S. Finance, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University
![Young Gun Award recipient by Insurance Business America](/sites/g/files/sujchg151/files/inline-images/IBAMYoungGuns2016_medalresized-150x150.jpg)
Edward Haibt
Wealth Advisor | Wealth Services![Photo of Edward Haibt](/sites/g/files/sujchg151/files/2024-01/MAL_GCG_Headshot_005.png)
Prior to joining the firm, Ed spent 13 years working in airport management with Delta Airlines out of Atlanta. After leaving Delta Airlines, Ed spent some time traveling the world with his wife before pursuing a career in financial services. Ed’s main goal is to make a difference in people’s lives by helping them pursue their goals to achieve financial security. He approaches his clients’ situations with understanding and empathy.
As a proud cancer survivor, one of Ed’s lifelong goals is to start a charity to help those in need with medical costs associated with battling this terrible disease. His philosophy is to provide love and support to those around us as a way of giving back. When Ed is enjoying life, you will usually find him on a golf course, traveling, hiking with his family and dogs, or at their cabin up in the mountains of Gunnison, Colorado.
Education: B.S., Environmental Science, University of Florida
Credentials: Licensed in Life, Accident and Health insurances
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.
Resources
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Employee Benefits
How Will the Economic Outlook Affect Your Talent Decisions?
What impact will the economic forecast have on your talent decisions? Seasoned People leader Julie East will lead a discussion to help us process how the future economy will affect the talent strategies within our companies.
June 18, 2024 at 11:30 am ET | Timonium MD
Sign Up![HR Roundtable](/sites/g/files/sujchg151/files/2024-06/Roundtable%20Header-1.jpg)
Employee Benefits
Optimize Your Benefits: A Three-Pronged Approach
Want to lower healthcare costs and enrich your benefits program at the same time? If so, this webinar is for you.
June 20, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
Sign Up![Webinar graphic - Alera Engage](/sites/g/files/sujchg151/files/2023-12/WBI-692x434-Webinar-Engage_4.jpg)
Employee Benefits
[Alera Engage] Benchmarking for the Win: How Does Your Benefits Program Rate?
Ask our clients about the No.1 tool that helps them develop an impactful benefits program, and they'll tell you is benchmarking.
July 18, 2024 at 02:00 pm CT | Virtual
Sign Up![Stock image displaying the words Alera Engage](/sites/g/files/sujchg151/files/2024-03/WSG-DigitalThumbnails_EngageWebinars-110723-2.png)
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
How To Lower Healthcare Costs While Improving Benefit Offerings
Join us on June 20 for a one-hour webinar designed to help you eliminate wasteful healthcare spending while providing your employees with benefits that attract and retain talent. We’ll take you through our three-step solution.
June 11, 2024
Find out moreWealth Services
Weekly Market Update
Stocks rose last week despite conflicting stories from economic reports.
June 11, 2024
Find out moreWealth Services
Monthly Market and Economic Update - May 2024
Read about the latest insights on the market and economy from our Director of Investments, Bob Janson.
June 10, 2024
Find out moreEmployee Benefits
Legal Alert: PCORI Fees Due by July 31, 2024
Employers that sponsor self-insured group health plans, including health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) should keep in mind the upcoming July 31, 2024, deadline for paying fees that fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) via Form 720, which was recently updated and released by the IRS.
June 7, 2024
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