About Us
Alera Group - Arizona, formerly Benefit Commerce Group, helps organizations strengthen and support their businesses through employee benefits, retirement plan services, and property & casualty solutions. As part of Alera Group, we combine local market knowledge, long-standing client relationships, and the expanded resources, collaboration, and specialty expertise of a national firm.
Our teams based in Scottsdale, Chandler, and Flagstaff, AZ, are known for strong client partnerships, customized solutions, and a service approach built on national scope and local service. Our mantra is simple: We say what we’ll do, and we do what we say. In each of our business lines, we focus on partnership with our clients, customized solutions to meet their needs, and delivering access to the resources and expertise they need with the responsiveness of a local team.
Our History
Benefit Commerce Group was co-founded in 2009 by our current Managing Partner & Principal, Scott Wood. Originally focused solely on employee benefits consulting and brokerage, the firm built its reputation on helping employers lower healthcare costs through data-driven, sustainable strategies without reducing employee benefits. Along the way, the organization earned recognition as a four-time Inc. 5000 honoree and was ranked #2 among Phoenix-area employee benefits consulting firms by the Phoenix Business Journal in 2025 and 2026.
In 2019, BCG joined Alera Group to support continued growth and expand its capabilities. Since then, the Arizona team has grown beyond employee benefits to include Property & Casualty and Retirement Plan Services, while also expanding its geographic footprint across Arizona and beyond.
Our Team
With professionals across Scottsdale, Chandler, and Flagstaff, our team serves employers throughout Arizona and beyond. Because our capabilities span multiple specialties, we have organized our team by area of expertise so you can quickly connect with the right people. Explore the links below to learn more about our:
Across each of these areas, our professionals are united by a relationship-driven approach and a commitment to delivering thoughtful, customized solutions. We are proud to serve as trusted partners to employers throughout Arizona and beyond.
Our Expertise
Today, Alera Group - Arizona continues to serve employers with the same trusted relationships, practical insight, and accountability that have defined the organization from the beginning.
Across our three areas of expertise, we help clients navigate complex challenges with confidence:
- Employee Benefits: Advice, advocacy, and results to help employers design benefit strategies that support employees, manage rising costs, and strengthen their organizations.
- Property & Casualty: Commercial insurance, executive lines, and risk management solutions that help businesses protect their people, operations, and long-term stability.
- Retirement Plan Services: Retirement plan guidance focused on maximizing outcomes, strengthening fiduciary support, and increasing plan effectiveness for employers and employees alike.
We are passionate about what we do, and we hold ourselves accountable to delivering meaningful, measurable results.
Our Culture
We have intentionally built a culture that is respectful, supportive, and passionate — one where team members feel appreciated, empowered, and committed to the work they do.
That culture is a big part of who we are. It is why Alera Group - Arizona is a place where people enjoy their work, value their colleagues, and take pride in the company’s growth and success. It also helps fuel the high level of consulting, service, and support we provide to our clients every day.
Read more about the ways we go above and beyond for our employees in our Culture Flyer.
Alera Group Cares - Giving Back Is In Our DNA

Community involvement is an important part of who we are at Alera Group - Arizona. Through the Alera Group Cares Committee, our employees help plan and lead service opportunities that support meaningful causes across our community.
This year, the committee includes 10 active members, and each member leads or co-leads at least one event. From planning and communication to participation and sharing event recaps with the broader team, the committee plays an important role in bringing our community efforts to life.
The group meets monthly from January through August and then shifts to email coordination later in the year. Each January, the committee plans the year’s activities based on employee feedback, past successes, and new ideas.
We strive to offer a variety of ways for employees to participate, whether by giving time, money, or needed goods. This year, we are proud to support nonprofit organizations including Maggie’s Place, Goodwill, United Food Bank, and The Centers for Habilitation.
Our Rankings & Awards
We are proud to be recognized for the culture we’ve built and the results we help support for both our employees and clients.
Best Places to Work
Ranked No. 10 in the 2025 Phoenix Best Places to Work awards in the Small Company category.
A 9-time honoree, reflecting our long-standing commitment to a people-first culture rooted in trust, flexibility, wellbeing, and professional growth.
Healthiest Employers
Ranked No. 2 in our category in the 2026 Phoenix Healthiest Employers awards.
Recognized in the Top 2 for six consecutive years, including three straight years at No. 1.
In 2026, 16 clients were named finalists and 10 placed in the Top 10 in their categories.
Team Awards
Meet Our Team
Meet our Arizona Leadership Team. With professionals across Scottsdale, Chandler, and Flagstaff, our team serves employers throughout Arizona and beyond. Because our capabilities span multiple specialties, we have organized our broader team by area of expertise to make it easy to connect with the right people. In the About Us section, you’ll find links to explore our Employee Benefits, Retirement Plan Services, and Property & Casualty teams.
Scott Wood
Managing Director, West and Northwest Regions
Scott Wood is a solution-oriented executive with more than 40 years of experience in the insurance industry. As Managing Director of Alera Group’s West and Northwest Regions, Scott partners with firm leaders and consulting teams to deliver integrated solutions that help employers manage risk, control costs, and build sustainable benefit strategies. Scott is overseeing the integration of Alera Group’s Northwest region into West.
A former CEO of multiple large organizations, he brings firsthand experience addressing financial, operational, and human capital challenges. In 2009, Scott founded Benefit Commerce Group with a mission to improve the quality, transparency and sustainability of employer-sponsored health plans. In 2019, BCG joined Alera Group and Scott has continued to champion a collaborative, people-centered culture focused on delivering exceptional outcomes for clients and colleagues.
LinkedInChris Hogan
Executive Vice President & Principal
Chris is a solution-oriented insurance professional with 30 years of experience working with employers on benefit plans and alternative funding analysis. He develops long-term strategies to save money for employers and employees, simplifies implementation and increases wellness program participation. Throughout his career, Chris has been instrumental in product development, financial analysis, marketing management and sales training.
He is a speaker at business and industry events and is a member of Greater Phoenix Leadership (GPL), the region's premier organization of CEOs and business leaders dedicated to improving the greater Phoenix area and the State of Arizona.
LinkedInStephanie Bukata
Chief of Staff
With over 17 years of experience in client account management and insurance relations, Stephanie uses her expertise to create and implement training programs for Alera Group - Arizona’s Client Services personnel to continue their professional development.
She has performed all aspects of benefit program service and has established excellent relationships with insurance companies, other program vendors and our clients. Promoted to Chief of Staff in September 2021, she provides operational support to Alera Group - Arizona's Managing Partner and day-to-day leadership on strategic initiatives and large organizational projects.
She previously was Director, Training and Education, in which she created and implemented training programs for Alera Group - Arizona's Client Services personnel to continue their professional development. Stephanie also worked closely with many Alera Group HR leaders to help implement their learning management system companywide.
LinkedInSeth Vandegrift
Vice President, Strategy & Growth
Seth has over eight years of analytics experience and a strong knowledge of employee benefits, plan structure and modeling. He has been involved in financial analysis for clients and prospects, client reporting, and coordination with our in-house actuarial team. His primary job responsibilities are to support our consulting team in driving innovative benefit strategies that improve employee benefits and reduce costs.
LinkedInResources
2026 Arizona Employee Benefits Benchmarking & HR Symposium
Alera Group - Arizona provides a comprehensive employee benefits benchmarking resource for Arizona employers, helping organizations compare their plans, identify strengths and gaps, and uncover opportunities to improve value while managing costs. Since 2014, this tool has helped employers make more informed decisions and strengthen their benefits strategies through actionable market data and insights. Participating employers also receive an individual custom report at no cost. Learn more here.
Company News
Read the latest press releases, announcements, and company updates from Alera Group - Arizona. From milestones and events to important local news, this section reflects the growth and momentum of our Arizona team. Read more.
Success Stories
Our success stories showcase how we help clients solve challenges, improve outcomes, and create meaningful results. Explore examples of strategic partnership, measurable impact, and client-focused solutions in action.
- Client Service Success Stories
- Employee Benefits Success Stories
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Employee Benefits
The Compliance Pathway Q2
Alera Group's quarterly employee benefits compliance roundup will help you stay current on the latest national regulatory developments impacting employers.
May 14, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
Register Here
Employee Benefits
Benchmarking That Drives Decisions: Why Averages Mislead — and What Best-in-Class Data Reveals
A clear, data-driven view of the 2026 employee benefits landscape grounded in benchmarking results.
June 16, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
Register Here
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
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Property and Casualty
AI Isn’t Liable for the Mistake. You Are.
Artificial intelligence is powerful. It’s also wrong more often than people want to admit.
If you use AI to support or deliver professional services, any mistake it makes is still your responsibility. Not the software’s. Not the vendor’s. Yours.
April 1, 2026
Find out moreProperty and Casualty
Identity hijacking is surging. Here’s what leaders need to know.
Cyber incidents across our client base have been sharper, faster and more costly this year. Even organizations with strong controls are being hit in ways that look very different from past attacks.
March 13, 2026
Find out moreEmployee Benefits
Legal Alert: RxDC Reporting Due June 1st
Reminder: RxDC Reporting Due June 1st
February 26, 2026
Find out moreProperty and Casualty
AI-Powered Cyber Attacks, Why Yesterday’s Defenses Aren’t Enough.
The widespread availability of AI technology, combined with the ease of manipulating video calls, makes phone and Zoom calls susceptible to exploitation by threat actors.
February 2, 2026
Find out more