About Us
Since 1987 you may have known us as AIA, or American Insurance Administrators, or as one of our three core divisions: AIA Property & Casualty (P&C), Benefits Resource Group (BRG), or as Benefits Broker Solutions (BBS). You may have heard something about us becoming part of Alera Group in 2017. But we are all one company, and now we are aligning our name, our brand, our new look, and our new website to reflect that strong one-company story.
Work With Us
We are passionate about collaboration and growth. Enjoy working in a highly collaborative culture? Looking for an exciting environment that is constantly growing and improving? If you care about providing outstanding client service while serving local communities, then we may be looking for you.
Meet Our Team
Michele Klump, CIC
Account Manager, Large Commercial Accounts
Michele joined the team in March of 2014 as a Large Commercial Account Executive and brought with her 28 years of insurance agency experience. She has been a licensed insurance agent since 1987 and received her CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designation in 2002. Her responsibilities include being the main point of contact for clients regarding any questions, processing changes in coverage to their current program, marketing of new and renewal business, processing of insurance proposals, developing exposure basis history and loss history analysis, review of policies and endorsements for accuracy, claims support and establishing relationships with the insurance carriers.
Chris Kopelcheck
Business Development Associate
Chris serves as a Business Development Associate. He helps clients identify needs and identifies resources to address those needs across the spectrum of Employee Benefits and Property & Casualty Insurance.
Following ten years as a golf professional focused on teaching, Chris is passionate about helping others to improve and to achieve their goals. He brings the same enthusiasm to the business as he has shared with his hundreds of students over the years. With a strategic mindset and strong communication skills, Chris is fast becoming a critical member of the team.
Chris' commitment to continuous learning and collaboration is what attracted him to join Alera Group. His long-term relationships with several Alera Group partners made it clear from the start that Chris was a great fit. As he progresses in his career, Chris aims to contribute significantly to Alera Group's success and solidify his reputation as a forward-thinking insurance professional.
- Favorite sports team? Boston Bruins
- Favorite movie quote? “Rule number 76: no excuses, play like a champion” - Vince Vaughn, Wedding Crashers
- Best advice you’ve ever received? “If you are too big for the small stuff you are too small for the big stuff.”
Kevin Krause
Chief Strategy Officer, Employee Benefits
Kevin is a thought leader whose extensive health care experience delivers superior value to clients. In addition to his almost 20-year tenure in the Harrisburg office, Kevin spent over 20 years in executive-level positions at national health care delivery organizations in both the private and public sectors. Because of his direct experience with the healthcare delivery systems, Kevin has been instrumental in developing Alera Group’s unique consulting and operational approach to the GameChanger portfolio.
Kevin received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The American University in Washington, DC and a Master of Health Services Administration from the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. Kevin holds a Pennsylvania Insurance Producer License for Life, Accident, and Health, is certified by the Care Innovations Validation Institute on population health, and is a Health Rosetta-certified advisor.
Ben Lerew
Account Manager, Broker Solutions & Employee Benefits
Ben serves as an Account Manager in the Broker Solutions division. He is responsible for quoting, enrollment, submissions, and delivering superior service to our broker clients. Ben is known to be a creative, collaborative, and a flexible team-player
Ben’s 16 years of previous military administrative service brings tremendous value to the team and to our broker clients. His organization, focused attention, and resourcefulness assures that our clients’ expectations will be surpassed.
Outside of work, Ben enjoys spending time with his wife and two young daughters. He also invests in giving back to the community through charitable cycling events such as Ride to Recovery and the Hershey Chocolate Tour for Penn State cancer research. In addition, Ben stills serves our country in the Pennsylvania National Guard.
Ben holds a Resident Producer License in Health, Life, Accident and Fixed Annuities.
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Property and Casualty
2025 Property and Casualty Market Outlook
Join our property and casualty experts for an exclusive look at the trends and challenges shaping the insurance landscape in 2025.
January 15, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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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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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
State of the Market for Employee Benefits in 2025
What are the needs and priorities of those in the workforce and the employment market? What are rival businesses offering to attract and retain the best the market has to offer? And what shifts are taking place in the market that employers should anticipate and prepare for? Alera Group’s 2025 Employee Benefits Market Outlook, scheduled for release on January 16, provides answers to those essential questions.
December 19, 2024
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Property 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
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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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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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