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
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
Brent Novoselsky, BFA™, ChFC®
Vice President, Wealth ServicesBrent has been with the firm since 1995. He has been serving clients, their families and their businesses since 1989 with a particular focus on the accumulation and preservation of assets along with risk management. Brent meets his clients’ financial needs using the extensive resources and specialists at Alera Group, as well as through outside, trusted advisor offices.
Brent played seven seasons in the NFL. He was with the Chicago Bears in 1988 and the Minnesota Vikings from 1989-1994, when Brent retired after a serious neck injury. He is a member of the Chicago and Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Active in many charities and organizations, Brent serves on the board for the NFL Players Association Former Players Chicago Chapter. He is also the Chair of B’nai B’rith Sports Lodge’s scholarship program.
Brent and his wife live in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and have three children. Brent is a brown belt in Taekwondo and is an avid, bad golfer.
Education: B.S., Economics, Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania
Credentials: Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFATM), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®)
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.
Rosemary O'Brien, CPCU, ARM
Senior Risk Management Consultant | Property & CasualtyRosemary O’Brien is a Senior Risk Management Consultant at the firm. She focuses on the asset protection needs of high net worth individuals and families, representing the elite carriers in the property and casualty insurance industry.
Rose has more than 35 years of industry experience, specializing for the past 30 years in developing customized personal insurance programs for affluent and high net worth individuals. Her experience includes working for large global insurance brokers in the areas of management, business development and service. She started her own boutique personal lines agency which was subsequently acquired by the firm.
Known for her remarkable ability to cultivate strong, meaningful professional relationships, Rose is differentiated by her extraordinary communication skills, collaborative, needs-based approach and industry knowledge. She currently holds insurance producer licenses in 45 states.
Education: B.S., Education/Math, University of Wisconsin.
Certifications: CPCU, ARM
Jill Olshefke
Director of Select Accounts | Employee BenefitsJill leads the administrative processes of the Select Accounts team, which manages employee benefits for small group employers (1-100 lives). Focusing on quality assurance and scalability, she ensures an excellent client experience by creating efficient processes and procedures for this high-volume team.
Jill Olshefke has been with the firm since 2011. She previously worked at Northern Suburban Special Education District where she managed and scheduled substitute teachers.
An avid dog lover (Roxie, Pitbull/Staffie mix and Zeus, German Shepherd), Jill enjoys live music (and following her son’s band, Ax and the Hatchetmen), reading and painting.
Education: B.A., Albion College; Master of Education in Educational Psychology, National Louis University
- VUCA Leadership, Cornell University, May 2022
- Leadership Agility, Cornell University, May 2022
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
Find out moreWealth Services
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
Find out moreProperty and Casualty
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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