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
Michael Marino
Wealth Advisor | Wealth ServicesMichael brings eight plus years of providing wealth services for his clients. Michael enjoys working alongside business owners, executives and professionals in several industries, including but not limited to medicine and professional sports (golf).
He strives to meet the needs of all his individual and family clients in the areas of insurance planning, investment advisory, college funding, estate planning, transferring assets and retirement strategies. He also works separately as a financial planner if his clients desire a comprehensive fee-based financial plan.
As an avid sportsman, Michael is a scratch handicap in golf, often entertaining clients and friends on public and private golf courses throughout the Chicagoland area. One of his goals is to play as many of the Top 100 Golf Courses in the United States as possible. When not found on the golf course in the warmer months, Michael is most likely spending time with his wife Lisa, their daughter Poppy, and four pets. Having two dogs and two cats keeps his personal life full of adventure, making many road trips across the country with the entire pack!
Education: B.S., Business, Pennsylvania State 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.
Ben May, CIC, CBC
Senior Benefits Consultant | Employee BenefitsBen May is a Senior Benefits Consultant with the firm. He focuses primarily on small- and mid-sized businesses. Ben’s expertise centers around the design, funding, communication, administration, and compliance of employee benefit programs. Ben focuses on making clients comfortable, and he takes the time to learn and understand their unique business to meet their challenges effectively. This approach allows Ben to create a first-class benefits program to provide outside-the-box solutions that solve these challenges.
Ben has extensive experience in the employee benefits industry, including a previous role as the Director of Sales in the Benefits Division with Hallberg Commercial and Group Health.
Outside of work, Ben is an athletic board member at St. Pius X School and volunteers as a coach for soccer, basketball and baseball. Ben currently resides in Lombard, IL with wife, Julie, and children Riley, Haley, Colin and Jack. He enjoys coaching his kids and staying active playing basketball, softball, and soccer.
Education: BA, Finance and Accounting, Illinois State University.
Certifications: CIC, CBC
Alan J. Nerad
Senior Wealth Advisor | Wealth ServicesAlan joined the firm in 2003. Alan works closely with his clients to develop, implement and monitor financial, retirement and health insurance strategies. After graduate school, Alan became a researcher and consultant with McGraw-Hill/London House, a leading firm specializing in employee selection, surveys and management, and executive assessment. He then went on to consult in the automotive industry. His primary focus was to provide insurance products, services, and training to the finance and insurance departments. Alan is a member of the board of the Lincolnshire Morningstar Rotary and serves on several committees. Alan currently serves as assistant scoutmaster as well as a member of the Troop Committee for Boy Scout Troop 78 in Lincolnshire.
Alan and his wife live in Lincolnshire, IL with their three children. Alan enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, reading and tackling as many home improvement projects as possible.
Education: B.S., Psychology, University of Wisconsin; M.S., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, St. Louis 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.
Marcus B. Newman, RHU, CBC
Vice President, Employee BenefitsSince joining the firm in 1997, Marcus has focused on serving small businesses. He is responsible for more than 200 privately held businesses, medical practices, and physicians. Marcus provides expert and objective guidance with respect to group insurance benefits of all kinds, 401(k) and other salary deferral plans, pension and profit-sharing plans, deferred compensation plans, executive benefits, and a wide variety of investments for closely held business owners.
Marcus is an annual qualifier for the Million Dollar Round Table. He is the youngest firm advisor ever elected to the Executive Board of the Chicago Chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.
Before joining the firm, Marcus spent several years working with teenagers as a social worker. Marcus is the Founder and President of Array Education, Inc., an organization committed to the prevention of teenage substance abuse and addiction through a wide variety of programs that help young people make responsible, informed decisions about drugs and alcohol.
Marcus lives in Deerfield, Illinois with his wife and three daughters. He spends considerable time with his family and is a fitness enthusiast. Marcus is an avid reader and a patron of the theater.
Education: B.A., Philosophy, Northeastern Illinois University
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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