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
Kari Tamillo
Director of Insurance Underwriting
Kari Tamillo has worked at GCG Financial since 1996 in varying capacities where currently finds herself as the Director of Insurance Underwriting. With over 21 years of experience, Kari is exceptionally well versed in the realm of insurance, overseeing and managing the individual, DI and LTC insuring process. Over her time with GCG Financial, Kari’s role has evolved extensively. This change allows Kari to hone her expertise through interactions with agents, carriers, and outside brokerage firms. The versatility of her daily role gives her a unique perspective as she serves the clients of GCG. Currently, Kari is studying for her CLU designation, which will bring even more versatility and change to her role. Above all, Kari continues to pursue growth, personally and professionally, in this industry.
In her free time, Kari enjoys going for long walks and relaxing with a good book. Additionally, she cherishes family time and loves getting together with her 3 grown children, along with her husband, Tony and their dog Paisley.
Brian Uhlig, CPBS
Senior Partner | Employee Benefits
Brian is an Employee Benefits Consultant who, as one of the first 30 accredited advisors of The Health Rosetta, enjoys disrupting the healthcare status quo and is passionate about helping his clients create and achieve their ideal employee benefits program. Brian and his team focus on large, multi-site employers who are interested in being leaders in providing plans that improve employee health, engagement, and firm value.
Brian has a BBA in Accounting from the University of Iowa. In addition to his 20 years at the firm, his 25 years of experience include an early career in banking, leading a large office for an international consulting firm.
Brian is also a Certified Pharmacy Benefits Specialist, CPBS™ and is a Certified Outcomes Report Analysis Pro (CORA Pro) through the Validation Institute and has created a community with his clients all focused on creating better outcomes and benefits plans that work for their employees and not the healthcare system.
In 2023, Brian was named the Advisor of the Year by the Validation Institute.
Brian is married with four teenagers and stays active by playing tennis, biking, golfing and skiing.
Education: B.B.A., Accounting, University of Iowa
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
Weekly Market Update
Stocks pushed higher last week as investors cheered the White House’s constructive comments on trade, upbeat Q1 corporate reports, and an encouraging jobs report.
May 5, 2025
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Employee Benefits
IRS Releases 2026 HSA Contribution Limits and HDHP Deductible and Out-of-Pocket Limits
In Rev. Proc. 2025-19, the IRS released the inflation adjusted amounts for 2026 relevant to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). The table below summarizes those adjustments and other applicable limits.
May 5, 2025
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Property and Casualty
Severe Weather Is Getting Worse. Is Your Business Interruption Insurance Keeping Up?
The increasing frequency and severity of weather- and climate-related events such as catastrophic storms, floods and wildfires make business continuity planning more important than ever. Part of your plan should include reviewing your organization's Business Interruption Insurance coverage.
May 5, 2025
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Employee Benefits
A Challenge for Mental Health Awareness Month: Make It Enjoyable
Achieving and maintaining wellbeing takes work, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyable and even fun. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and with that comes Alera Group’s annual Mental Health Awareness Toolkit, this year featuring something we believe employers and their entire organizations will really enjoy: the 31-Day Challenge for Positive Wellbeing.
April 29, 2025
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