Meet Our Team
Carrie Reed
Sr. Underwriting Analyst, Employee Benefits
Carrie has broad experience in healthcare, underwriting, and marketing to go with her more than 20 years in the employee benefits industry. Her primary focus for the past 12 years has been large experience-rated and self-insured books of business.
Before joining Alera Group in 2016, Carrie worked in patient services for a large nonprofit medical provider organization and worked on small group and individual benefit plans for a small brokerage firm. She then moved to a firm that offered opportunities to serve mid-size and larger group business, gaining experience both with underwriting and marketing.
Carrie has continued to pursue greater professional knowledge over the course of her career, taking on roles and projects that broaden her skills in addition to maintaining her Washington licensing for life and disability insurance. She prides herself on her attention to detail and her commitment to providing highquality deliverables to clients—which is why they like, respect, and recommend her.
Allyson Thomas, SHRM-SCP®
Executive HR Services Partner
Allyson has a strategic mindset and broad experience that touches on all facets of human resources, primarily in the technology and healthcare industries. She serves as HR director and lead for multiple Alera Group clients, ensuring smooth and efficient operations while optimizing employee experience, engagement, and team-building.
Leadership and individual coaching is a passion for Allyson; she is certified in both DISC and MBTI assessments, which she uses for training with a variety of audiences. She also earned the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP®) designation.
A graduate of the University of Washington and Western Governors University, Allyson previously served in HR leadership roles for AIM Aerospace, Sound Physicians, and Morpho (now Idemia). She lives in University Place, Washington, and enjoys hiking, running half-marathons, working out, music, painting, dancing, and travel, along with many other hobbies. Her volunteer work includes serving on the board for New Phoebe House, which helps mothers stop cycles of addiction, homelessness, and family violence.
Brittany Thomas
Client Support Specialist Lead
Brittany oversees our Client Support Specialist team—providing guidance, fostering a collaborative, efficient work environment, and building strong relationships with both clients and team members. She works closely with HR leads to ensure the accurate, timely completion of administrative functions for benefits administration, training programs, recruiting, onboarding/offboarding, open enrollment, and employee relations.
A graduate of the University of Idaho, where she earned a degree in business and human resources, Brittany has nearly 20 years of experience in HR, benefits, and retirement plans. She also achieved the SHRM People Manager Qualification.
Brittany lives outside of Tacoma, Washington; her hobbies include spending time with her family, watching her two girls play sports, traveling, and getting outside. She has volunteered for over 12 years with the United Way of Pierce County (including five years as a campaign lead) and also supports Mother Earth Farms.
Kristin Verone
Analyst, Employee Benefits
Kristin has served in a variety of roles over her 25+ years with the Washington office, including Office Manager, Database Administrator, and Small Group Account Manager. Today, as an Employee Benefits Analyst, one of her key duties is managing the renewal process for group insurance products—coordinating proposals and performing other vital tasks to ensure clients and Wilson Albers have all the necessary information to negotiate.
Kristin lives in Puyallup, Washington, and loves spending time with friends, family, and her dog Abe. Other hobbies include cooking, taking Abe to the dog park, watching college football, and cheering on Purdue’s basketball team (“Boiler up!” she says).
A graduate of Central Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in administrative office management, Kristin also volunteers for programs and events such as United Way’s Day of Caring and Shop with a Cop.
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Employee Benefits
AI Advantage in Benefits: Practical Use Cases That Support HR and Employees
A practical view of how AI can support benefits teams while improving the employee experience.
November 17, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
Register Here
Employee Benefits
The Compliance Pathway Q4
Don't miss this ongoing opportunity to ensure you comply with current regulations and are prepared for what's ahead.
December 2, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
Register Here
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
Legal Alert: IRS Issues ACA Affordability Percentage Adjustment for 2027
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released Rev. Proc. 2026-26.
July 24, 2026
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Property and Casualty
Commercial Real Estate Insurance Market Shows Signs of Relief, With Conditions
There are emerging signs that the commercial property insurance market is beginning to soften. However, the benefits of this shift are not being felt uniformly across all real estate portfolios.
July 16, 2026
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Employee Benefits
Legal Alert: Clients With Massachusetts Private PFML Plans Renewing After July 1, 2026
Alert for any employer with at least one employee in Massachusetts, even if the employee is remote.
June 30, 2026
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Legal Alert: PCORI Fees Due By July 31, 2026
This alert is of interest to all employers that sponsor self-insured group health plans, including Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs). Note that the PCORI fee does not apply to most health FSAs.
June 29, 2026
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