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
David Levitz, CLU®, ChFC®, RHU
Managing Partner
P: (847) 457-3003
David Levitz serves as a Managing Partner for the firm. In his role, David is focused on corporate growth and new business development. David’s background as a senior leader at has positioned him perfectly to understand the various facets of employee benefits, risk management and wealth accumulation.
David’s broad expertise will allow him to help organizations navigate the complexity and uncertainty that exists in today’s environment. His area of focus centers around the design, marketing, negotiation, and financial analysis of employee benefit programs. Additionally, David has managed care experience in ASO, self-funded contracts and alternatively funded group insurance programs.
David is active in numerous charities and civic organizations. He is a Million Dollar Round Table ("MDRT") Foundation Knight. The Foundation works to increase volunteerism and provides funds to worthy charities worldwide. David has earned a Life Membership in the MDRT and is a past qualifier of MDRT’s Court of the Table and Top of the Table awards. David is also a past President of the Deerfield, Bannockburn and Riverwoods Chambers of Commerce and currently is on the Executive Committee of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Healthcare Council.
David is currently a member of several professional organizations, including NAIFA (National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors) and NAHU (National Association of Health Underwriters). He is a past President of the North Branch CALU (Chicago Association of Life Underwriters).
David is married with two grown children and devotes quality time to family life. When time permits, David is an avid golfer, skier, and sports enthusiast.
Education: University of Denver
Credentials: Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), and Registered Health Underwriter (RHU®)
LinkedInRichard S. Levitz, CLU®, CHFC®, CFP®
Managing Director, Midwest Region
P: (847) 457-3004
In his role as Managing Director, Rick provides leadership to 26 locations covering roughly 600 employees. In addition to regional management, his responsibilities include setting strategic initiatives, relationship management with key producers and staff, providing input on client acquisition and retention, and overseeing the overall growth of the region. He also oversees the integration of affiliate firms and works to make connections across Alera Group. Rick’s areas of focus include life insurance, estate planning, business succession, and executive compensation strategies. In addition, Rick continues to work directly with clients focusing on complex planning needs for high-net-worth individuals.
He enjoys golfing, running, paddle tennis, and skiing. He has been married for roughly 30 years and is a proud father of three adult children. He is passionate about supporting organizations that help teens with financial assistance for higher education.
Rick is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP) professional, Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC).
He holds registrations for Series 6, 7, 24, 63 and 65. Rick is a member of the Society of Financial Services Professionals, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, the Financial Planning Association and the Association for Advanced Life Underwriters.
Rick received his BSBA in Finance from the University of Denver in 1985 and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1988. Upon completion of law school, he spent four years at the law firm of Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago, Illinois.
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.
Carla DeMello
Employee Benefits Practice Leader | Midwest Region
P: (847) 457-3007
Carla serves as the Employee Benefits Practice Leader for the Midwest Region. In this role, Carla is responsible for driving strategic direction along with all aspects of client service. She focuses on ensuring Alera Group professionals have the tools, resources and support to meet the needs of an ever-evolving benefits landscape and deliver an exceptional client experience.
With many years of leadership, operations and benefits experience, Carla helps organizations think about business strategy through a people-first approach. With relevant prior experience in human resource, labor, benefit administration and insurance carrier environments, her background provides a breadth of perspectives when it comes to understanding the interests and intricate operations of each stakeholder.
Carla is passionate about organizational and leadership development. She believes the team builds capacity and momentum through continual process improvement, keen awareness of metrics, and opportunities to innovate. Similarly, Carla strives to identify and develop rising talent, helping others achieve their career aspirations. She is active in DEI initiatives and is a member of Alera’s Women’s Leadership Committee.
Carla is currently pursuing her EMBA through Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She holds a BA in Benefits Administration and Compliance from DePaul University.
Certifications: Managing People to Perform (Predictive Index), Project Management, FMLA and ADA Compliance, Producer License for Health & Life
Steve Felker
Property & Casualty Practice Leader | Midwest Region
P: (847) 457-3213
Steve started the Risk Management practice in Chicago in 2009. Under his leadership, the practice has grown rapidly, acquiring key talent, and deepening its relationships with leading industry carriers to provide broader markets to clients. Steve’s innovative and customized client solutions have helped build strong client relationships for the firm. His colleagues and clients value his technical focus and sound business advice. His expertise is in medium- to large-sized businesses with an additional emphasis on personal insurance for individuals.
Steve began his career at Lawton-Byrne-Bruner Insurance Agency (LBB), the largest insurance brokerage firm in St. Louis at the time. During his 12-year career there he was elected Senior Vice President and then became an owner of the firm. In 1986, Steve was instrumental in the sale of LBB to Marsh & McLennan, Inc., at which time Steve was named Managing Director (the firm’s highest professional designation). Over the next 24 years, he held numerous positions including head of the St. Louis office for 15 years. During that time the office had 200-250 employees and achieved revenues exceeding $50 million annually. Steve was also responsible for serving many of the largest corporations in St. Louis.
Steve and his wife live in Lake Forest, Illinois and they have four grown children. Steve is active in several clubs and other organizations in the Chicago area.
Education: B.A., Bowdoin College, 1974.
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
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
Sign Up
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
Sign Up
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
Sign Up
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
Are You Prepared to Comply With the New Mental Health Parity Final Rule in 2025?
On September 9, 2024, the DOL, IRS and HHS released a final rule for the Requirements Related to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA Final Rule). The MHPAEA Final Rule is similar to the proposed rule released on July 25, 2023, with some marked differences. While the MHPAEA Final Rule is effective as of November 22, 2024, the requirements become enforceable at different times. Most apply to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, with other requirements becoming enforceable for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
October 25, 2024
Find out more
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
Find out more Wealth Services
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
Find out more
Wealth Services
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
Find out more