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
Marcus B. Newman, RHU, CBC
Vice President, Employee Benefits
Since 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
Rosemary O'Brien, CPCU, ARM
Senior Risk Management Consultant | Property & Casualty
Rosemary 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 Benefits
Jill 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
Kyle Orr
Senior Benefits Consultant | Employee Benefits
Since Kyle joined the firm in 2013, he has worked with a variety of clients, ranging from manufacturing corporations to law firms. He believes that all industries can offer thorough yet affordable employee benefits packages when working with a broker whose goal is to meet the needs of their clients.
Kyle has specialized in serving the mid-market segment and works with clients across the country. He has developed considerable expertise in working with multi-locations companies and those growing through acquisition, specifically organizations working with PEOs (Professional Employer Organization). Kyle has 18 years of experience working in the PEO world and has strategic partnerships to help ensure his clients are receiving the best service and price available.
A graduate of the University of Illinois and originally from Buffalo Hart, IL, Kyle has lived in Denver, CO since 2010.
He enjoys basketball, hiking, staying fit, and spending time with his dog Norman. Kyle is also an active member of the development committee for Denver Kids. Denver Kids is a local non-profit assisting at risk youth in the Denver Public School system and providing them with a path to graduation and advanced degrees.
Education: B.A., Ornamental Horticulture, University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.
Resources
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
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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Employee Benefits
Dynamic Data: Strategies for Success
Join us for this session, as our experts will share how to utilize your organization’s data to create advanced and innovative strategies for success.
July 17, 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.
July 23, 2025 at 12:00 pm CT | Virtual
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Wealth Services
Reset and Refocus: Realigning Priorities for the Rest of the Year
A lot can change in six months. As you look ahead to the second half of the year, now’s the time to reassess what’s most important—financially and personally—and make intentional adjustments that keep you aligned with your bigger picture.
June 17, 2025
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Wealth Services
Weekly Market Update
Stocks fell last week as an up-and-down mix of trade progress and anxiety, economic news, and geopolitical tensions netted out.
June 16, 2025
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Weekly Market Update
Stocks rallied last week as investors responded to upbeat economic data and easing trade tensions.
June 9, 2025
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Monthly Market and Economic Update - May 2025
Read about the latest insights on the market and economy from our Director of Investments, Bob Janson.
June 6, 2025
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