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
John Fisher, CFP®, CPFA®
Vice President, Wealth ServicesJohn 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®)
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 # 0I37979
Bruce Friedman
Senior Vice President, Wealth ServicesBruce 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 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.
Cory Friedman, CBC
Senior Vice President, Benefits Consulting | Employee BenefitsCory 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
Clay P. Hessel, RHU®
Senior Vice President, Wealth ServicesClay specializes in helping individuals and families establish financial goals and exploring alternatives to achieving them. Clay has been passionate about developing financial strategies and employee benefits since joining the firm in 1994. He is a specialist in helping enhance financial security and create wealth through personal and corporate benefit packages that include investment management, life, disability and health insurance as well as retirement strategies. Clay employs a disciplined and strategic approach that strives to maximize potential returns while minimizing overall risk and volatility within a portfolio. He prides himself on being a thoughtful communicator who intuitively educates his clients in areas of risk management and wealth accumulation, as a result, clients gain a peace of mind by understanding their options. Clay specializes in working with physicians, professionals, executives, business owners and corporations, and speaks to over 100 medical programs and corporations annually.
Clay has consistently been distinguished as a top advisor among his peers. He has received numerous awards and accolades for his successful practice, including qualification for the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors’ National Quality Award*, along with firm's prestigious Pinnacle Club and Leaders Club.
Clay lives in Vernon Hills, Illinois with his wife, daughter, son, and dog. He enjoys exercising, yoga, competitive golf, reading, traveling and participates in several charitable organizations including Cycle for Survival and the Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation. Clay also serves on the Northshore University Health System Planned Giving Advisor Counsel.
Education: BS in Advertising and a minor in Psychology from Bradley University
Credentials: Certificate in Financial Planning from DePaul University, holds registrations for FINRA series 6, 7, 63, 65 and is life, health and disability insurance licensed
*Awards and club membership are based primarily on commissions, premiums, or fees generated from investment and insurance products and other criteria relative to leadership, achievement, and recruiting.
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 # 0C28656
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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