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
Jordan Levitz
Risk Management Consultant
Jordan Levitz is the Director of Personal Risk Management at the firm and a third-generation insurance professional.
Jordan is a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, a Florham Business Scholar and played Division III College Lacrosse.
He came to the firm after working in the insurance industry for three years as an underwriter with CHUBB, where he managed a $32M+ book of business and underwrote risks for agencies in Minnesota, Indiana and Ohio.
Jordan is a member of the Alera Personal Lines Committee and has overseen the Chicago office double in size during his first three years as director.
In his free time, Jordan is typically with his family, Kelly, Mia, and Max, or on the golf course when his family allows.
Education: Bachelor of Science, University of Southern California
Cameron Lewis
Risk Management Consultant | Property & Casualty
Cameron is a second-generation insurance professional with a background in wealth management, specializing in the education and advisement of the benefits and value found in today’s high-net worth insurance market.
Prior to joining Alera Group, Cameron worked at HUB International, running the day-to-day operations of the new client interaction team and creating specialized packages for insureds with each premier insurance carrier.
Cameron listens and learns about clients’ personal protection goals, uncovering any risks that may have been overlooked in the past. Working in conjunction with their asset management team, Cameron can personalize a client’s insurance package to appropriately protect all assets in their portfolio and provide peace of mind for the long-haul.
Catherine Loney
Vice President, Benefits Consulting | Employee Benefits
Catherine joined the firm in April 2002, and is a Vice President, Benefits Consulting. Prior to this, she was a Principal of Kraemer & Loney, Inc. Catherine entered the insurance industry in 1985 as an administrative associate for Kraemer Associates. This served as the training environment in learning the integral parts of each product in the industry, which serves as her foundation. Catherine returned to Kraemer Chantler Associates in 1995 after a brief absence, during which she focused on individual financial planning and mutual fund investments. She found her interest rested in working with employers and employees in an ever-changing environment of healthcare products – such as group medical, dental, disability, life, long term disability, wellness programs, employee assistance programs and savings vehicles for future medical expenses.
Catherine specializes in municipality and school employee benefit programs, which encompasses partially self-funded programs administered by a third-party claim administrator, administrative services only contracts administered by a carrier and fully insured programs either on an individual or pooled basis. Her emphasis is to not only analyze the benefit programs, but also to educate the administrative personnel and employees through forums designed to plan for future initiatives, ease the negotiation process and keep all participants well ahead of the benefits industry curve.
Catherine is continually recognized for her outstanding achievements. In retaining over 95% of her block year over year, she holds the distinction of being a top advisor in the firm. She has received the firm's most prestigious awards, including Pinnacle Club and Circle of Excellence, and is celebrated for her notable successes, relationships, and extensive industry expertise.
Catherine attended Waldorf College and the University of Iowa, focusing on psychology and recreation therapy. Her interest in this field allowed her to integrate her music and athletic participation with special populations. This area continues to be of interest to Catherine on a volunteer basis.
Ben May, CIC, CBC
Senior Benefits Consultant | Employee Benefits
Ben 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
Resources
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
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.
April 23, 2025 at 12:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
Q2 2025 Quarterly Compliance Webinar
Alera Group's quarterly employee benefits compliance roundup will help you stay current on the latest national regulatory developments impacting employers.
May 6, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
2025 Healthcare and Employee Benefits Benchmarking Report: How Does Your Benefits Program Stack Up?
In this session, our experts will dive into the results of our annual, market-leading benchmarking survey.
June 26, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
Deadline for San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance is approaching
The annual San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance (SF HCSO) reporting by employers that have employees who work in the City of or County of San Francisco is due by May 2, 2025. Employers should be aware of the upcoming deadline even if they are not located in San Francisco.
The SF HCSO requires large and medium-sized employers to provide covered employees with benefits equal to or greater than the expenditure rate. Covered employees are those who have been employed for more than 90 days and who regularly work at least eight hours per week within the City of and County of San Francisco.
April 14, 2025
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Property and Casualty
International Roadcheck Is May 13-15. Is Your Commercial Transportation Fleet Ready?
For 72 hours next month, commercial motor vehicles and drivers throughout North America will be subject to what the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) calls a “high-visibility, high-volume” inspection and regulatory compliance enforcement initiative.
The annual event, known as the International Roadcheck, will take place at weigh and inspection stations, temporary sites and locations selected by mobile patrols from May 13-15 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
April 14, 2025
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Wealth Services
Weekly Market Update
Stocks ended the week with a strong gain as traders continued to focus on tariff talks while appearing to overlook upbeat news on inflation.
April 14, 2025
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Wealth Services
Weekly Market Update
Stocks fell broadly last week as domestic and foreign markets reacted to the White House’s tariffs.
April 7, 2025
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