About Us
Our Office History.
For over 60 years, we have provided risk management, and financial products and services to corporations, institutions and individuals throughout the world.
What Makes Us Different
We take a pro-active approach to the management and servicing of your account with:
- tailor-made programs shaped to your needs, not to the needs of a representative peer group
- pre-implementation services such as contract reviews, exposure analysis, and professional wrap-up feasibility studies
- the skill and knowledge to develop innovative new products to address wrap-up issues and exposures as they arise
- large investment in technology to allow rapid transfer of vital information to clients and wrap-up markets
- in-house wrap-up professionals acting as your committed advocates
We have vast resources that enable our team of professionals to deliver innovative solutions to our clients. By utilizing the experience and creativity of top-level insurance experts in conjunction with the firm’s worldwide resources, your Alera Group Las Vegas is able to provide sophisticated products and service unparalleled in the insurance industry.
Our Mission
Every client is important to us. Whether a single individual or multimillion dollar corporation, each is assured of receiving the most competent insurance analysis and placement available.
The insurance industry is continuously evolving. Our resource capabilities provide us with the tools necessary to keep our clients informed regarding regulatory issues and current events that can affect our clients’ bottom line. We utilize the most efficient technological methods available that align with the needs of our clients. Our professionals have real time access to the most current news and business intelligence available. These management tools allow us to maintain the highest level of client service.
Our vision is guided by a commitment to understanding, anticipating and meeting our clients diverse and changing needs.
We consider it both a privilege and a pleasure to represent our clients. Our goal is to maintain relationships that extend well beyond the realm of an insurance broker. Our unwavering dedication to integrity, professionalism and service ensures that Alera Group maintains its position as the pre-eminent insurance broker.
Meet Our Team
Michelle Schoue
Commercial Lines Account Manager
Michelle Schoue serves as the Commercial Lines Account Manager for Alera Group's Las Vegas team. In this role, Michelle markets prospective and renewal business, reviews and updates policy records, prepares and presents proposals, issues certificates of insurance, and assists with claims and invoicing. With a decade of experience in the insurance industry, Michelle approaches her work with a detail-oriented perspective and the goal of building strong client service experiences. Outside of work, Michelle enjoys archery, fishing, playing musical instruments, reading, and writing books.
Frank Skaw
Benefits Consultant
I started in the life insurance industry while in college. The carrier had a College Note Program
where College Seniors could buy life insurance with a Promissory Note and the loan plus the
interest was taken out of the policy’s cash values.
After finding that College Seniors were not entirely focused on buying life insurance I shifted
to the traditional “Kitchen Table” Marketplace. Being 23 and not having any life experiences I
found myself working long and lean hours as it was a straight commission adventure.
However, I stayed the course and made hundreds of cold calls in the evenings while making
group health insurance cold calls during the day. Finally, I got my break when one of my clients
who was 25 said, “You need to show this to my parents”. I got an appointment with his parents
who were in their 50’s, poor health, smokers and needed the coverage. The light went off and
I started focusing on those who had the money and the need rather than my age group.
After proving that I could sell, close, and deliver I was given the opportunity to become a Sales
Manager, which involved hiring and training agents new to the industry. After having success in
this market a General Agent position opened in Spokane, WA, which I accepted.
I moved my family to Spokane, WA opened a 10’ x 12’ office that consisted of an old desk, phone,
IBM Computer, dot matrix printer and a phone book. I started in the Yellow Pages and called all
the insurance agents listed. I recruited approximately 50 producing agents and turned my new
little office to the #1 Agency in a 6 state Region.
Due to competition pressure, I converted the agency from a one carrier agency to a multi carrier
brokerage center and secured an exclusive contract with a major life company. I went from just
having agents in one geographical area to having hundreds in a large multi-state region. And with
that we were on our way.
Again, as life goes on and things evolve it became necessary to add more carriers. At this juncture
I was invited to join a producer group, which gave me access to many more markets and the ability
to recruit more agents. My wife (who was my business partner) passed away in June of 2018 and the
business was put on autopilot.
I have been providing Point of Sales “POS” Services to Agents, Brokers and Financial Planners who
did not want to be involved in life, disability or LTCi sales. Also, provided sales assistance on cases
that had health issues or were business planning and/or estate planning.
I am past president of the National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors (NAIFA) of Spokane,
Financial Services Providers “FSP, Million Dollar Round Table, Court of the Table and a past associate
Member of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Spokane.
I have provided Continuing Education Courses to hundreds of agents in the Pacific Northwest as well
as sponsored and chaired charity events including golf tournaments, auctions, booster clubs, etc.
JoAnn Smith
Account Executive
JoAnn has been licensed in property, casualty, life, and health for over forty years and a commercial account manager since 2004. She is responsible for the day-to-day servicing of her commercial clients, including quoting, issuing certificates, making changes, etc.
JoAnn currently holds the CPIW (Certified Professional Insurance Woman) and CISR (Commercial Insurance Service Representative) designations. She graduated from Marshall University in Huntington, WV, with an Associate in Science Degree.
After graduation from Marshall University, JoAnn immediately began working as a secretary/receptionist for JABO Supply Corporation for three years. She then moved to Beckley, WV, where she started her insurance career. She was hired as a receptionist and was then accepted a promotion to a CSR. She continued with Beckley Insurance Associates for three years before moving to Raleigh Insurance Associates. After twenty-five years with Raleigh, JoAnn moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she has been employed with GLB Insurance, an Alera Group Company, since 2004.
When JoAnn is not in the office, she enjoys the outdoors, friends, and time with her spouse and two dogs.
Lance Sullivan
Benefits Consultant
Lance provides employers with the best in employee benefits, strategizing innovative and collaborative solutions to control long-term health care costs.
After earning a BS in Education from Montana State University, Lance began a career in employee benefits spanning over twenty-nine years, starting in October of 1992 in Billings, Montana, and continuing to Wyoming, South Dakota, Florida, and Nevada.
Lance was originally an Air Force veteran from Montana, as well as a Miami Dolphins fan that loves to hike, read and experience new adventures. He and his wife Cynthia (Cyndee) have three children: A 27-year-old son that lives in California, a 26-year-old daughter in Florida, and a 20-year-old son that goes to college in Indiana.
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
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
Find out moreProperty and Casualty
Improving Transportation Fleet Safety Through Gamification
The COVID-19 pandemic pushed companies to find creative ways to engage employees as isolation hit an all-time high. Many turned to gamification — the application game mechanics such as points, badges and leaderboards to everyday tasks — to reconnect with staff and improve retention, especially around key initiatives like safety. It’s a concept so suitable for the transportation industry, it could have been conceived with truckers and other commercial auto drivers in mind.
April 7, 2025
Find out moreProperty and Casualty
5 Steps to a Lower Workers’ Compensation Mod
Understanding how your Workers' Compensation Insurance premium is calculated can help you manage costs more effectively. One of the primary factors in determining your premium is your experience modification factor — the number that reflects your company’s claims history and directly determines what you pay.
March 13, 2025
Find out moreProperty and Casualty
It’s Here! — Alera Group’s Fifth Annual 'Property and Casualty Market Outlook'
Alera Group's "2025 Property and Casualty Market Outlook" is your guide to making informed decisions regarding your business and personal insurance coverage.
December 12, 2024
Find out more