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
Philip Karlo
Risk Management Consultant | Property & Casualty
Philip Karlo is a Risk Management Consultant at the firm. As part of the Risk Management team, Philip’s primary goal is to build long lasting relationships with clients and help identify risk transfer needs and provide solutions by selecting appropriate Insurance products. Philip provides his clients a wealth of information from his diverse business experience that help to differentiate him as a risk management consultant.
Prior to joining the team, Philip spent 15 years working in the banking industry, where he held a variety of different positions. Philip started his career as a client service representative, followed by becoming a relationship banker then was promoted into a management position. Ultimately Philip became a Financial Compliance Officer. Philip brings expertise in sales, leadership, risk management and insurance to his clients giving them a well-rounded perspective on how to properly protect their businesses to achieve their financial goals.
Philip does volunteer work with an organization called Junior Achievements and mentors K-12th grade students gain practical work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills through simulations and activities. Outside of the office, Philip is currently a resident of East Dundee and enjoys hobbies such as golfing, biking, running and playing with his son.
Gary Kirshenbaum
Vice President and Director, Global Trade Risk Management | Property & Casualty
Gary Kirshenbaum is a Vice President and Director of Global Trade Risk Management (GTRM). Under his guidance, GTRM provides companies the ability to strategically manage their commercial trade risk, both domestic and export, as well as to mitigate political risk involving international business investments.
Gary has over 15 years of experience in trade credit insurance in addition to nine years as a lender in commercial finance. He possesses a deep knowledge of how to utilize credit to minimize risk and maximize growth and banking relationships for his clients. Through this risk management expertise, Gary’s focus is to protect his clients’ money.
Additionally, having owned and run a family business for 10 years, Gary understands the everyday struggles of cash flow along with the credit risk that companies face when their accounts receivable, potentially the largest asset on their balance sheet, is in jeopardy.
Alex Koglin
Senior Benefits Consultant | Employee Benefits
Alex Koglin is Senior Benefits Consultant for the firm. He has nearly a decade of experience in healthcare benefits and has worked with companies ranging from a handful of employees to over 5,000 employees across a diverse range of industries. His responsibilities include new business development, strategic playbook review, client relations, and functioning as liaison between sales and service teams.
Alex routinely works with clients to transition to alternative-funded programs, while considering the holistic employee experience. In addition, he has overseen the merger of benefit programs following multiple large-scale acquisitions. Alex leverages those opportunities to identify program improvements and substantial cost reductions.
Alex is WELCOA certified and uses his knowledge to oversee client wellbeing initiatives, keep a pulse on employee engagement, and identify employee values. Moreover, he uses his process-driven approach to identify best-practice benefits administration solutions and better leverage technology.
Above all, Alex values his client relationships, excellent client feedback, and long-term client retention.
When he's not working, Alex values time spent with his partner and his dog, and can be found hiking, playing tennis, teaching yoga, or cooking.
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.
Resources
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
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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Employee Benefits
Setting Your Strategy for the New Year: Alera Group's 2025 Employee Benefits Market Outlook
Our experts will highlight key results from Alera Group’s 2025 Employee Benefits Market Outlook Report and explain how these trends can impact your benefits program this year.
January 16, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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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.
January 22, 2025 at 12:00 pm CT | Virtual
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
Avoiding an Employee Lawsuit Over a Tobacco Surcharge Claim
Tobacco surcharges on health insurance premiums for employees who use tobacco products are attractive options for employers looking to keep their workforce healthy while lowering their organization’s healthcare costs. But surcharges can go too far, and many employers may be unaware of the limitations. Alera Group's new whitepaper on tobacco surcharges is designed to assist employers in complying with federal regulations.
November 19, 2024
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Wealth Services
Weekly Market Update
Stocks fell last week as the postelection rally lost momentum amid an inflation uptick and cautious comments from Fed officials.
November 18, 2024
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Employee Benefits
Q4 Considerations: New HIPAA Privacy Considerations
Earlier this year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Final Rule titled HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy.
November 15, 2024
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Spotlight on 2025 Benefit Limits
The IRS has released the 2025 benefit plan limits. The following chart shows some of the key limits for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 tax years.
November 15, 2024
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