About Us
The Ingroup Associates team was established in 1990 to provide improved flexibility with customized employee benefits and HR technology solutions for our customers. In 2016, Ingroup merged with 23 like-minded, high-performing independent firms across the United States to form Alera Group, the nation’s 14th largest independent insurance agency and the 7th largest privately held benefits firm. This provides us access to resources, technical expertise and best practices of a larger national firm, while maintaining the personal local service employers need. We’ve put together an innovative team of experts to create customized, results-driven strategies for your business. Employers are increasingly faced with rising benefit costs, administrative burdens and compliance liabilities. We have designed our firm to address the specific needs and goals of mid-market companies, and our unparalleled processes leverage market and employer data to make purposeful decisions — leading to better outcomes for our clients. We think a name is part of the building blocks of who you are, and at Ingroup Associates we’re excited to show you what makes us different. Our favorite synonyms for Ingroup are passionate, enthusiastic, and loyal. These are traits that make up our team, and something that sets us apart.
Meet Our Team
Erica Hain
Branch President, Employee Benefits - Central PA & Lehigh Valley
Erica Hain is a seasoned employee benefits leader with over 30 years of experience in the insurance and employee benefits industry. Throughout her career, she has led high-performing teams and driven strategic growth in a variety of organizational settings. Most recently, Erica served as the Practice Leader, Employee Benefits at Capstone Group. Her leadership journey also includes pivotal roles at Johnson, Kendall & Johnson, Geisinger Health Plan, Keystone Insurers Group, and Emerson Reid & Company.
Beyond her professional achievements, Erica has been deeply engaged in industry leadership through the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (NABIP). She served as Vice President of Region 2 on the NABIP Board of Trustees and has held numerous leadership positions across the local, state, and national levels. Her long-standing commitment to the industry has earned her multiple accolades, including the NAHU Presidential Service Award and the Region of Excellence Award.
Erica is recognized not only for her deep industry knowledge and strategic insight but also for her passion for mentorship, advocacy, and building collaborative partnerships that deliver lasting impact.
Erica is graduate of Lycoming College, Williamsport PA. She resides in Orwigsburg, PA with her husband and two dogs.
Todd Collins
Branch President, Property & Casualty, Central PA & Lehigh Valley
Todd Collins joined HMK Insurance in 2013 and is a licensed Property & Casualty agent. Prior to his tenure with HMK, Todd was the Business Development Manager in the Department of Community and Economic Development for the City of Allentown where he played a key role in managing the implementation of the City’s economic development strategies. Todd is highly regarded for his business acumen and leadership skills.
In 2019, Todd was one of 40 individuals invited by Alera’s national leadership to be a trainer of the Collaborative Way – a methodology and system to enhance culture and provide a common language for Alera firms to use in order to encourage collaboration among the unique agencies across the country. To-date, he has facilitated over two-dozen in-person and virtual workshops for Alera offices and colleagues around the country.
At the beginning of 2023, Todd joined the local management team at HMK. In addition to general support and guidance to lead the agency, Collins focuses on general staff development and culture.
Todd’s areas of expertise also include insurance and risk management services for real estate development & management, Craft Beverage Manufacturing & Hospitality, Food Manufacturers, Wholesalers and Processers, as well Public and Non-Profit Organizations.
Collins received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Delaware. He is a volunteer coach and actively serves at his church, Grace Church Bethlehem. He resides in the City of Bethlehem with his wife and four sons.
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Employee Benefits
GLP-1s at Scale: Why Weight-Loss Drug Decisions Are Now a Financial Strategy
A GLP-1 decision framework plus scenarios.
July 21, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
Register Here
Employee Benefits
Open Enrollment That Works: Why Employees Do Not Engage — and How Modern Communications Drive Better Choices
Practical communication strategies to strengthen open enrollment effectiveness and employee decision-making.
August 18, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
The Compliance Pathway Q3
Don't miss this ongoing opportunity to ensure you comply with current regulations and are prepared for what's ahead.
September 2, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
Register Here
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
What the 2026 Benchmarking Data Reveals — and Why It Matters Now
On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET, Alera Group will host Benchmarking That Drives Decisions: Why Averages Mislead — and What Best-in-Class Data Reveals, a live webinar designed for HR, finance and executive leaders involved in benefits planning, budgeting and long-term strategy.
June 11, 2026
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Employee Benefits
Legal Alert: IRS Releases 2027 HSA Contribution Limits and Other Limits
In Rev. Proc. 2026-24, the IRS released the inflation adjusted amounts for 2027 relevant to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs). The table below summarizes those adjustments and other applicable limits.
June 3, 2026
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Legal Alert: PBM Transparency Coming Soon
Two recent movements on the federal level have paved the way for greater pharmacy benefit manager (“PBM”) transparency for group health plans.
May 22, 2026
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Why is umbrella liability getting so expensive?
While most commercial insurance pricing has softened in 2026, umbrella liability has not. In fact, it’s moving in the opposite direction.
May 4, 2026
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