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
Jeff Kolker, RHU
Senior Vice President, Benefits Consulting | Employee Benefits
Jeff joined the firm in 1992 and became Vice President of Employee Benefits in 1999. His responsibilities include supervision of the employee benefits resource team, product review, and the sale of new and renewal employee benefits programs including medical, dental, disability, and various other employee benefits to our clientele.
After working for a public accounting firm in Denver, Jeff relocated to the Chicagoland area and entered the insurance business. He retained his RHU professional designation and has been in the insurance business since 1989, with a specialty in employee benefits since 1991. Jeff has used his accounting background and communication skills to become a leading producer in group benefits. He has been involved in speaking and advisory roles for many of the national health carriers, helping design benefit plans and providing valuable feedback on various plans’ strengths and weaknesses. His understanding and grasp of the continued pressures on businesses to remain competitive and profitable have helped make him successful in the employee benefits field. Jeff has also served on various advisory boards for insurance carriers doing business in the Chicagoland area. Jeff, along with the firm’s employee benefits division, has been recognized by several of the national carriers as a top producer and preferred broker.
Jeff is active in several charities and civic organizations, including the firm's monthly community giving program, and he often helps fundraise for other organizations.
Jeff's focus is his family life. Most of his time is spent with his wife and three kids doing various activities ranging from education to travel to sporting activities. When he is not spending time with his family, he enjoys golfing and other sports.
Education: B.S., Accounting, University of Denver, 1987.
Credentials: RHU
Organizations: National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and Association of Health Insurance Advisors.
John C. Kwasigroch, CLTC
Field Manager/Investment Advisor
As a financial services professional, John’s goals are simple: to help individuals, families, and small businesses understand and prioritize their financial objectives. This is accomplished by helping them insure, protect, and invest all while navigating life’s ups, downs and, most importantly, its unknowns.
Having more than 30 years of experience has taught John a couple of very valuable lessons. The first one is that people don’t plan to fail; they just fail to plan. The second lesson is whether it’s saving enough for college, investing enough for retirement, or having enough life insurance to secure the family or business, it is possible if you execute the right plan.
John lives in Lemont with his wife Lynn and their 2 chihuahuas (Norman and Chia). He enjoys exercising, golfing, and watching TV. In his spare time, John is an avid reader of non-fiction and a crossword puzzle connoisseur.
Life Experience: United States Army – Ft. Benning, Georgia (1985-1988)
Education: Eastern Illinois University – B.A. Political Science (1988- 1992)
Credentials: National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), Certified in Long Term Care (CLTC)
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.
Dawn Lauret
Vice President, Benefits Consulting | Employee Benefits
Dawn Lauret joined the firm in 1998 and became Vice President of Benefits Consulting in 2005. She brings a consultative approach to the sale and retention of small group employee benefit packages with her background in both the sales and service aspects of the business. Her role is to partner with firm brokers to identify employee benefit opportunities on existing clients as well as new prospects. Many of the national health carriers have tapped Dawn for advisory boards, and she has been instrumental in designing benefit plans and providing feedback on plan strengths and weaknesses for small groups.
Before joining the firm, Dawn was an account manager for a small benefits agency in the employee benefit division.
Dawn enjoys spending her free time with her family and friends. She also enjoys playing volleyball, golfing, walking, biking, crafting, and traveling.
Education: B.S., Workforce Education and Development, Southern Illinois University.
David Lehenbauer, CPFA®
Associate Wealth Advisor
As a member of the team supporting John Fisher, CFP®, CPFA® (Vice President, Wealth Services), David provides client service and assists in life insurance needs.
David graduated from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in finance, and a minor in Nonprofit Management. During his time at Indiana, he discovered his passion for helping people through the financial services industry.
Outside of the office, David has a wide range of interests. He's an avid music enthusiast, often attending concerts and exploring new genres. On weekends, you can find him on the golf course, enjoying a run or watching a baseball game.
David currently holds his Illinois Life and Health insurance licenses.
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.
Resources
Alera Group Spends The Week Giving Back
In the spirit of our Generous Community Giving program, Alera Group employees participated in a week of events, both in-person and virtually, for our 2023 Community Giving week.
Chicago Housing Authority Hiring Fair
Alera Group colleagues spent the day at the Chicago Housing Authority Job Fair reviewing resumes, helping with interview prep, working on communication skills, and offering general insights and advice to people just starting their professional careers. It was time well spent helping others in the community both professionally and personally.
Feed My Starving Children
The Alera Group team volunteering with Feed My Starving Children had a positive experience measuring, bagging, weighing, sealing, and packing meals for children over the course of an afternoon. Not only did they feel like they made a difference in the lives of others, but they also enjoyed using the time as a teambuilding exercise to work with colleagues outside of their department.
Lyman Woods Nature Center
Alera Group volunteers rolled up their sleeves to beautify the nature preserve by building a new fence and cleaning up the trails for the community to enjoy now that the weather has warmed up. Despite being a physically demanding morning, everyone agreed it was a rewarding experience.
Send virtual cards to patients at St. Jude
Our remote teammates were able to participate in Community Giving Week as well! They wrote dozens of encouraging notes to patients undergoing treatment for cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
The Alera Group volunteers not only gave their time and energy to make a positive impact on our communities, but unanimously agreed that they had a great time while doing it!
Alera Group’s 2023 Office 5k Raises Money for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
On October 12 we laced up our sneakers as part of our Generous Community Giving initiative. This year’s annual 5k included a record number of participants who enjoyed running and walking the outdoor course at our Deerfield, Illinois headquarters as well as a step challenge for remote employees. To keep things interesting, we added a new 5k relay event consisting of teams of four colleagues for some additional friendly competition.
The proceeds of the money raised this year benefits Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Their mission is to improve lives by accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent, and treat type 1 diabetes (T1D).
The day was billed a success as the rain clouds held off long enough for us to support an important cause while enjoying the company of our fellow team members.
An Alera Group Care Package
Alera Group colleagues came together last month to enjoy a lunch and celebrate our shared successes in 2023. The day had a bigger purpose though, as we rolled up our sleeves to kickoff our first Generous Community Giving event in the new year with nonprofit group, Blessings in a Backpack.
Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on the weekends for school-aged children across America who might otherwise go hungry. By the end of the afternoon, over 100 Alera Group colleagues had packed 500 bags! Not only was it rewarding to collaborate on a physical task together, but we were thrilled to know that our work would ensure children in our community would not go hungry that weekend.
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
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Employee 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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Employee Benefits
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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THOUGHT 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
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Retirement 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
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Retirement 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
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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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