About Us
Our Firm
Founded in 1992 by K. Brian McLaughlin, Granite Group is a full-service employee benefits and risk management consulting firm. Our mission is to exceed our clients’ and their employees’ expectations as they relate to our commitment to outstanding service, innovation, ethics, and expertise. We are a customer focused company that brings personal and exceptional service to our valued clients on a consistent basis through our dedicated approach.
Our People
Built around the premise of teamwork, Granite Group employees’ broad and varied skillsets can better serve our clients unique needs. Our experienced staff will deliver tailored benefits solutions based on a structured consulting process. Our team will assess your benefits needs, survey the marketplace, set goals, provide thorough risk assessment and competitive pricing, and introduce the tools and technology to deliver the best benefit options for you and your employees. In 2023, our Manchester, NH office welcomed former Landmark Benefits employees from the Windham, NH location.
Our Presence
Developed over 30 years, GGB remains focused on our client community, and supports their business and social needs across New England. Our employees live and serve in the neighborhoods they grew up in, providing our clients with a valuable resource that understands the local needs of the community. As an Alera Group firm, our clients also benefit from the expertise and resources of a large national firm, while still maintaining the advantages of local service and relationships.
Associations
Meet Our Team
K. Brian McLaughlin
Managing Partner
(603) 296-0700 ext. 5267
In 1988, Brian received a BS degree in Economics and Finance from Southern New Hampshire University. After working for John Hancock Financial Services, Mass Mutual and Benefit Strategies, Inc., he founded Granite Group Benefits in 1992. He has been involved in the employee benefit industry for more than 25 years. He is a licensed producer and employee benefits broker in the State of New Hampshire and many other states.
LinkedInJames Scammon
Executive Vice President
(603) 296-0700 ext. 5268
Jim has been in group benefits since 1986 and has a broad range of experience. He came to Granite Group Benefits from CIGNA HealthCare of New Hampshire where he was Sales Manager for all lines of group coverage for six years. Prior to CIGNA, Jim spent four years as a benefits consultant for Towers Perrin in New York City, working with large employers such as AT&T, NYNEX, and MacMillan/McGraw-Hill. He began his career as an Account Executive for The Travelers in New York. Jim has a Bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and earned his MBA at the Stern School of New York University.
Trygve Halverson
Vice President
(603) 296-0700 ext. 5263
Trygve joined Granite Group Benefits as Vice President in 2011 with a 20-year background in the insurance industry. In his current role, Trygve is responsible for growth and retention of new business along with the development and management of our client’s communication and education programs.
He works with businesses to deliver not just a fiscally responsible benefit offering, but an ongoing communication and education plan that ensures those benefits are effectively delivered, received understood and valued by the employees and their families.
Trygve resides in Bedford, NH with his wife of 33 years and their two boys, has a sincere passion for motorcycles, and exercises that passion for motorcycle adventures through his club, the HMS Vikings.
LinkedInBrenna Hansen
Director of IT & Communications
(603) 296-0700 ext. 5266
The GGB team welcomed Brenna in 2003 as the IT/Communications Manager. She came to Granite Group after working at a local insurance agency for eight years as a Marketing and IT professional. Brenna has been working in the insurance industry for over 25 years and is a licensed Life, Accident & Health Producer in the State of New Hampshire. She is also a NAHU Certified PPACA Professional and a Project Management Professional (PMP).
At Granite Group, Brenna manages systems and communications, oversees the Employee Benefit Lounge (EBL℠) platform, and optimizes electronic documentation and communication policies and procedures. She works closely with clients to tailor Granite Group's solutions to meet their technological needs. With her significant experience as a graphic designer, Brenna enjoys delivering professional, custom branded solutions to clients. At Alera, she leads the Communications Impact Group which brings together thought leaders from across the nation to develop advanced strategies, ideas and solutions.
Brenna was educated in the arts at Northeastern University and graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from Southern New Hampshire University. She is an active member of the Project Management Institute (PMI) as well as a Notary Public. She has volunteered with Girl Scouts of the Green & White Mountains, The Greater Manchester Chapter of the American Red Cross and The Caregivers, Inc. of Manchester.
LinkedInOur Community
We believe in being contributing members of the communities we serve. GGB employees, through business-sponsored and personal endeavors, volunteer their time mentoring, fundraising, and supporting multiple organizations in our local community to include:
Veterans Count, American Red Cross of Greater Manchester, Boys & Girls Club of Manchester, CareGivers, Cystic Fibrosis – Northern NE Chapter, Girl Scouts of the Green & White Mountains, Granite United Way, Greater Lakes Region Making Strides, Henniker Food Pantry, Manchester Area Human Resources Association, Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County, New England Parkinson's Ride, and UpReach Therapeutic Equestrian Center.
Our culture rewards teamwork. Whether we are working for you, or helping in our communities, we do it together.
Eugene Van Loan Leadership Award
2021 Easter Seals NH Celebration Breakfast Granite Group Benefits congratulates Managing Partner Brian McLaughlin, this year’s Eugene Van Loan Leadership Award recipient at Easterseals.
We are so proud of your service and all of the great work you continue to do in the community.
“We Take Care of the People Who Took Care of Us”
The Meals on Wheels cause runs deep in the Scammon family. He recalled that when talking to his parents after first joining the board, he learned his grandmother had been a driver for Meals on Wheels.
“This cause is so important-we are literally helping people in need be able to live safely at home. These are the teachers, police officers, fire fighters, coaches-all people who played a key role in the community.”
The Meals on Wheels CRAZE! Event is coming up!
Saturday, October 30th, 5:00-7:00pm, Trombly Gardens, Milford, NH. This is our new outdoor fall event which is fun for all ages!
There will be a corn maze, costume contest, bonfire, hot dogs/ s’mores roast, pumpkin cornhole, and more! Cool CRAZE t-shirts available for $10.
Visit https://www.hcmow.org/craze to purchase your tickets and t-shirts!
GGB supports the Meals on Wheels Jam Fest!
Saturday, September 25th, 11:30 AM- 9:00 PM, Sherman’s Pit Stop, Wilton, NH.
All of the musicians’ tip proceeds will benefit Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County!
Visit: https://www.hcmow.org/jam-fest for more info and a concert schedule.
Cheering by Chairing for our Community
Our very own Kim Socha is helping to chair the 8th Annual Farnum Spirit of Hope event taking place May 12th.
Friends and supporters gather annually at the Spirit of Hope Event, presented by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, to celebrate the victories of recovery made possible through Farnum Services.
The event raises awareness about substance use treatment services and invites members of the community to join in changing the conversation around addiction from stigma to support, from problems to solutions.
Champions Among Us!
Senator Lou D’Allesandro, a longtime supporter of senior services in NH, stopped by the Carpenter Center in Manchester to assist with the distribution of “Grab ‘n’ Go” meals from Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County.
Jim Scammon, current board chair of MOWHC, met with the Senator to thank him for his participation and many years of support.
GGB is Making Strides
Granite Group Benefits' Jeanette Chasse and her team Carole Strong at the 27th Annual Greater Lakes Region Making Strides walk yesterday at Opechee Park in Laconia!
GGB Steps UP!
Great time last night supporting SJCS Meals on Wheels and their Step UP! 5k.
We Support Veteran’s Count
The 5th Annual “Make 12 Hours Count” Radio Thon is this Wednesday, March 20th.
Tune in to News Radio 96.7 and WGIR AM 610 – Don’t forget about the online auction happening NOW — text VETSAUCTION to 51555 to bid on the items (the auction is open to everyone)!
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" 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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Employee Benefits
The Value of Voluntary Benefits
In this session, our experts will showcase the value of voluntary benefits, from financial savings to improved retention to addressing the specific needs of their employees.
March 20, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
Balancing Cost and Care: Could Captive Insurance Be the Solution?
In this session, our experts will discuss how Captive Insurance works and what you need to consider for your own group’s needs.
April 17, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
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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Employee Benefits
Avoiding an Employee Lawsuit Over a Tobacco Surcharge Claim
Tobacco surcharges on health insurance premiums for employees who use tobacco products are attractive options for employers looking to keep their workforce healthy while lowering their organization’s healthcare costs. But surcharges can go too far, and many employers may be unaware of the limitations. Alera Group's new whitepaper on tobacco surcharges is designed to assist employers in complying with federal regulations.
November 19, 2024
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Q4 Considerations: New HIPAA Privacy Considerations
Earlier this year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Final Rule titled HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy.
November 15, 2024
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Spotlight on 2025 Benefit Limits
The IRS has released the 2025 benefit plan limits. The following chart shows some of the key limits for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 tax years.
November 15, 2024
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