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 become the 11th largest independent insurance and financial services firm in the nation with over 4,000 employees, 180 firms, 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.
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.
Meet Our Team
Joan Settineri Kopinski, GBDS
Senior Vice President, Benefits Consulting | Employee Benefits
Joan is a Senior Vice President of Benefits Consulting who brings organization and execution to the strategies that Brian Uhlig develops for his clients. Joan is responsible for the strategic planning and execution of Health and Welfare programs including vendor management, plan administration, merger/acquisition management, and employee communications. Joan’s years of experience in Human Resources before becoming a benefits consultant provides her with a unique ability to understand and address each client's needs. She has a passion for employee education and ensuring that the programs that are implemented are understood and properly communicated.
Joan enjoys spending time with her daughter and 3 young boys. She is active in her community and is heavily involved with her sons' extracurricular activities: band, cross country, track, travel hockey, theatre and Boy Scouts.
Kim Slavik, AINS, CISR
Director of Select Accounts, Risk Management | Property & Casualty
Kim is a Director of Select Accounts in the Risk Management division with over 17 years of experience in the insurance industry at both large and small insurance agencies. She supervises the Select Accounts Team as they guide both prospects and clients in managing their business insurance needs. Kim is passionate about helping businesses find cost effective insurance options without sacrificing the quality of their insurance coverage.
Education: B.A. Applied Behavioral Science, Psychology
Credentials: Associate in General Insurance (AINS), Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR)
Duane Stevens, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CLTC, CFS, BFA™
Senior Vice President, Wealth Services
Duane has been passionate about the field of financial services since 1996. He works closely with his clients to develop, implement, and review financial solutions. Duane specializes in working with small-to-medium-sized businesses in the selection and implementation of various programs, including business continuation, pension, medical, disability, and non-qualified retirement strategies. He also works with individuals and is well known in the medical community, helping physicians implement a variety of financial strategies.
Duane lives in Naperville, Illinois with his wife and two children. He enjoys golfing, boating, and traveling.
Education: B.S., Marketing and Insurance/Finance, Illinois State University.
Credentials: Behavioral Financial Advice (BFA™), Certified Financial Planner™ Professional (CFP®), Certified Fund Specialist (CFS), Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), Certified in Long-Term Care (CLTC), Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®), and Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFATM)
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 # 0C87991
Jose Alfredo Suarez, AINS, CRIS, CAWC, CLCS
Vice President, Risk Management
Jose Alfredo Suarez is a Risk Management Consultant who specializes in Business Insurance with a focus on the construction, manufacturing, and hospitality industries. Jose excels at educating his clients on many controlled variables that are used to determine insurance premiums. After performing a risk management assessment, his clients can expect a tailored insurance program that provides comprehensive insurance coverage that protects their business and employees and can open the door to future contracting opportunities.
With close to two decades of experience in the insurance industry, Jose has carved out a special niche working with the top Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE) certified companies in the Midwest. Through his education, experience and training, Jose is an expert in understanding complex insurance requirements and designing a company’s insurance program for compliance and proper risk transfer.
Jose is passionate about educating his clients on commercial insurance, how to access surety bonds and the ins and outs of developing strong safety programs. He currently serves as an insurance and bonding consultant to the Illinois Tollway under their Technical Assistance program powered by the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, is a featured speaker for the Illinois Department of Transportation Today’s Challenge Tomorrow’s Reward annual DBE conference, a featured presenter for the Chicago Transit Authority’s Building Small Business (BSB) program and has been featured in Construction Executive magazine. In 2018, Jose was recognized by Negocios Now 2018 class of 40 under 40 Latinos in Chicago and was named to Insurance Business America’s 2022 Hot 100 list.
Born and raised in Chicago’s Humboldt Park community, Jose would go on to become the first in his family to graduate and earn his bachelor’s degree from Cornell College double majoring in Political Science and Ethnic Studies. Jose currently holds his Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS), Associate in General Insurance (AINS), Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS) and Certified Authority in Workers’ Compensation (CAWC) designations. Jose is an active member of the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association, the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Residential Home Builders Alliance, serves on the Advisory Council for the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement, is a Board Trustee of the Humboldt Park Health Foundation, a Board Member of the Latino Real Estate Investors Council and is the co-founder of the Executive Latino Council.
Residing in Mount Prospect, Jose is married with two young boys. During his free time Jose enjoys road trips with his family, basketball, golf, triathlon training, competitive stair climbing and has competed in numerous marathons.
Resources
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Property and Casualty
Unlocking Our 2026 P&C Market Outlook: High Level & Field Level Insights for Clients
Join EVP and Property and Casualty Practice Leader Justin Foa for an informative conversation on key findings and takeaways from Alera Group's annual flagship 2026 Property and Casualty Market Outlook Report.
January 20, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
Foundations – Understanding the Multigenerational Workforce
In our three-part webinar series, Designing Benefits That Work – A Data-Driven, Multigenerational Focus, we’ll explore multigenerational workforce insights, debunk generational myths, share early- and late-career planning strategies, review legal and compliance trends and provide actionable tools and resources.
January 21, 2026 at 10:00 am CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
Designing Benefits for Early - and Mid-Career Employees
In our three-part webinar series, Designing Benefits That Work – A Data-Driven, Multigenerational Focus, we’ll explore multigenerational workforce insights, debunk generational myths, share early- and late-career benefit strategies, review legal and compliance trends, and provide actionable tools and resources.
February 4, 2026 at 10:00 am CT | Virtual
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Property and Casualty
Are you prepared for 2026? Property and Casualty Trends Uncovered
The sixth annual Property and Casualty Market Outlook from Alera Group sets the stage for how organizations can recalibrate their risk strategies in 2026. Built on thousands of data points — including a nationwide survey of insurance company partners and wholesale intermediaries — this report delivers actionable insights for insurance buyers, risk managers and business leaders.
December 17, 2025
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Employee Benefits
Legal Alert: Agencies Clarify How Certain Fertility Benefits May be Treated as Excepted Benefits
This alert is of interest to all employers that offer fertility benefits or may be interested in offering fertility benefits in the future.
November 4, 2025
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Property and Casualty
Top 5 Insurance Surprises Businesses Face in Q4 — and How to Prevent Them
As year-end approaches, many organizations focus on closing out financials and planning for the year ahead. It’s also the time when insurance programs often reveal unexpected challenges, some avoidable, others the result of shifting market conditions or overlooked details.
October 30, 2025
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Legal Alert: IRS Adjusts Health Flexible Spending Account and Other Benefit Limits for 2026
This alert is of interest to all employers that sponsor health FSAs and qualified transit plans, among others.
October 10, 2025
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