About Us
Our team of private equity experts is recognized for its strategic insight and transaction fluency, serving as a trusted partner to firms navigating the complexities of M&A.
Who We Serve
Private equity firms, family offices, independent sponsors, and strategic buyers nationwide rely on our team to protect their investments and streamline deal execution. Our experience spans thousands of transactions, with a track record of delivering fast, high-quality outcomes from LOI to exit.
Our Approach
Every deal is different. Our approach is not. We consistently focus on:
• Protecting the private equity fund
• Safeguarding the transaction
• Building and executing post-close brokerage strategies
• Providing ongoing M&A advisory
What We Deliver
We offer tailored insurance programs across critical areas of business risk, including:
• Business Insurance
• Human Capital Protection
• Executive Risk & Liability
• Transactional Liability (Reps & Warranties)
• Key Person Life Insurance
Our dedicated teams in transaction diligence, and brokerage, and client relationship management collaborate to deliver responsive service and cost-effective solutions.
Whether you’re structuring a new acquisition or optimizing an existing portfolio, we ensure every program is timely, strategic, and aligned with your investment goals.
Meet Our Team
Chris Hoefert
Vice President - M&A Diligence
Chris specializes in risk analysis and due diligence for private equity-sponsored transactions. Chris plays a key role in evaluating insurance programs and effectuating the proper risk management strategies for our private equity group clients and their portfolio companies.
Before joining Alera Group, Chris spent four years at Hauser, where he served as Vice President, M&A-Corporate Risk and led over 250 diligence projects. Prior to Hauser, he spent 14 years with Assured Partners and Hays Companies, where he serviced mid-market commercial insurance programs and managed the property & casualty portions of a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) and other specialty insurance programs.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a Master of Business Administration from Missouri Baptist University. Outside of work, Chris enjoys spending time with his wife and two small children. He loves being outside and enjoys hunting, fishing, and hiking.
Jackson Myer
Director - Private Equity
Jackson specializes in all aspects of mergers & acquisitions, including employee benefits, property & casualty, and transactional liability. He works closely with private equity and family office clients to ensure seamless coordination between Alera Group’s transaction diligence and portfolio brokerage teams. Jackson focuses on driving value through high-quality service and strategic advisory, helping M&A clients navigate all aspects of their transactions and ongoing portfolio needs.
Before joining Alera Group, Jackson spent five years with various SaaS start-ups, where he honed his client-first approach and analytical expertise. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance with a minor in Spanish from the University of Missouri. Jackson enjoys spending time with his family and friends and enjoys playing golf & hockey (Let’s Go Blues).
LinkedInJohn Higdon
Risk Consultant
John has served property and casualty clients for 20 years, focusing on cyber insurance, management liability, and complex casualty risks. Known for his market experience, thoughtful approach, and dedication to protecting clients from emerging and evolving risks, John takes pride in delivering tailored solutions that protect clients while aligning with long-term goals.
John holds a degree in finance from Missouri State University and has earned the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation, underscoring his deep coverage knowledge and commitment to professional excellence. Outside of the office, John enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and competing in racquetball, squash, and golf. He is also an engaged member of Rotary International.
LinkedInJim Martin
Employee Benefits Practice Leader
Jim brings a deep understanding of employee benefits with a specialized focus on private equity - delivering customized, forward-thinking benefit strategies that align with client goals and elevate employee satisfaction. Known for his collaborative style and deep market insight, Jim plays an integral role in supporting Alera Group’s clients through complex transactions and long-term planning.
Before joining Alera Group, he was Director of Sales for the Middle Market at Aetna. He previously served as an Account Executive at Lockton Companies and a Consultant at Aon Corporation, developing innovative benefits solutions for clients of all sizes.
Jim earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Truman State University. Outside of work, Jim is an avid fan of skiing, cycling, and golf. A proud St. Louis native, he’s a dedicated supporter of the St. Louis Blues and St. Louis City SC.
LinkedInEXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Employee Benefits
Q3 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.
September 9, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
Navigating Medicare: Educational Virtual Seminar
Navigate Medicare options to ensure you feel confident in your post-65 healthcare coverage.
September 10, 2025 at 12:00 pm CT | Virtual
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New Era, New Options: Understanding the Employee Benefit Impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and Direct Primary Care
With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the employee benefits landscape is shifting. This webinar brings together legislative insight and real-world application to help employers and advisors make informed decisions in a changing regulatory environment.
September 25, 2025 at 02:00 pm CT | Virtual
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Property and Casualty
Alera Group’s 2025 Property and Casualty Market Update
Alera Group’s 2025 Property and Casualty Market Update, designed as a bridge between Alera Group’s annual Market Outlooks — provides insight into pricing, coverage availability, market capacity and underwriting trends for the balance of 2025.
August 1, 2025
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Employee Benefits
Legal Alert: IRS Issues Affordability Percentage Adjustment for 2026
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released Rev. Proc. 2025-25, which contains the inflation adjusted amounts for 2026 used to determine whether employer-sponsored coverage is “affordable” for purposes of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) employer shared responsibility provisions and premium tax credit program.
July 23, 2025
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Employee Benefits
Legal Alert: Enforcement of the HIPAA Reproductive Health Care Privacy Rule Vacated Nationwide
On June 18, 2025, a federal district court in Texas vacated a significant portion of the HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy (“Final Rule”), which was implemented on April 24, 2024, on a nationwide basis. The Final Rule, which was implemented in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (effectively overturning Roe v. Wade), was intended to protect the ability of individuals to receive reproductive health care when the care is provided lawfully under the circumstances without risk of an individual’s identity or health information being disclosed for purposes of state criminal, civil or administrative investigations (or for imposing liability related to lawfully providing or obtaining reproductive healthcare).
July 21, 2025
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Legal Alert: Employee Benefits Provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
On July 3, 2025, Congress passed a reconciliation bill (the “Reconciliation Act”) previously named the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, but subsequently redesignated “An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.”
July 8, 2025
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