Meet Our Team

    Rhonda Brown

    Director of Account Management, Employee Benefits
    Rhonda Brown

    Director of  Account Management, Employee Benefits

    Tonya Burson

    Finance & Accounting Director
    Tonya Burson

    Finance & Accounting Director

    Bill Brown

    Managing Director, South Central
    Photo of Bill Brown

    Bill Brown serves as Managing Director, South Central Region, covering Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Missouri, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kansas and Kentucky. His responsibilities include oversight of employee benefits, property and casualty insurance, wealth services and retirement services across the region. Working closely with Alera Group’s senior leaders, practice leaders and fellow regional leaders, Bill is focused on enhancing growth activities, creating new opportunities for colleagues to improve client relationships and produce meaningful outcomes.

    One of the founding partners of Alera Group, Bill has over 20 years of industry experience. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in economics.

    Heather Eshaghpour

    Regional Vice President, Employee Benefits Practice Leader
    Heather Eshaghpour

    Heather is the Regional Employee Benefits Practice Leader.   In her role, Heather collaborates with firms across the region leading initiatives on our client experience, our people, growth, and operational efficiencies.  Heather sits on our national employee benefits leadership team working with other practice leaders to drive innovation and growth within the employee benefits practice.

    Heather has over 25 years of experience in employee benefits having worked previously for both small and national consulting firms in client-facing and leadership roles.    Heather lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, son, and two Labrador retrievers.   She is an avid Nashville Predators Hockey fan.

    EXPERT EDUCATION

    Events and Webinars

    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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    Webinar graphic - Alera Engage

    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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    State of the Markets

    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

    Sign Up
    State of the Markets

    Quote from HR Director, Houston, Texas

    We have received nothing other than outstanding guidance, commitment, patience, and service… the entire experience has far exceeded my expectations.
    HR Director, Houston, Texas

    Quote from VP of Human Resources, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

    You guys are so great to us — always want to help as quickly as possible. Thanks for all you do to assist us. I love working with Alera Group: Texas.
    VP of Human Resources, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

    Quote from HR Director, Houston, Texas

    I became a client and, by doing so, took our rm to a higher level of service.
    HR Director, Houston, Texas

    Quote from HR Director, Houston, Texas

    I just spoke with [an employee] and he was extremely complimentary of your assistance. You are the BEST. Our employees aren’t used to this, so it is a real pleasure for them to reach someone who actually cares and takes an interest in them.
    HR Director, Houston, Texas

    Quote from Sr. Human Resources Manager, Irving, Texas

    Thank you for your outstanding customer service.
    Sr. Human Resources Manager, Irving, Texas

    THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

    Insights

    Wealth Services

    Weekly Market Update

    Stocks posted solid gains over a short and busy holiday week as investors parsed fresh economic data, comments on potential future trade policy, and a few Q3 reports from technology companies.

    December 2, 2024

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    Wealth Services

    6 Tips for Philanthropic Giving

    Explore how thoughtful philanthropic giving can align with your values, create a lasting legacy, and provide potential tax benefits. Learn strategies to maximize your impact, choose the right assets, and integrate giving into your financial plan.

    November 25, 2024

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    Wealth Services

    Weekly Market Update

    Stocks advanced last week, powering ahead with pre-holiday optimism despite geopolitical tensions and two disappointing Q3 corporate updates.

    November 25, 2024

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    Employee Benefits

    Don’t Forget About Your Gag Clause Attestations

    When the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) was enacted on December 27, 2020, it included a provision that prohibits group health plans and health insurance carriers from entering into certain agreements that, either directly or indirectly, restrict the release of certain information related to provider networks and de-identified encounter data, among other things. Such restrictions are commonly referred to as “gag clauses.” The CAA also requires plans and carriers to attest annually that their agreements do not include such impermissible gag clauses.

    November 20, 2024

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