Alera Group, Inc.

Tigard, OR

    About Us

    About Us

    Our Firm

    Founded by John Davidson in 1983, our firm offers customized employee benefit solutions and consulting services built around our clients’ goals and objectives. We specialize in creative benefit solutions, strategic planning and easing the benefits burden on HR. We exclusively work on large group (> 100 employees) employee benefits. Our leading goal is to practice with the best principles always in mind. Making a difference in everything we touch is what we live and breathe each day.

    Formerly known as Davidson Benefits Planning, we are a fully-owned division of Alera Group based in Tigard, Oregon. 

    Our Philosophy and Culture

    We value of integrity, hard work, and professionalism. We are committed to innovation and creative employee benefits, risk management and insurance solutions. This is accomplished through our philosophy which is to:

    • Expect far more from ourselves than we do from others
    • Inspire excellence and success
    • Lead with integrity and wisdom
    • Provide fanatical attention to service, consistency and detail

    Our promise is to partner with our clients to offer exceptional customer service, support, solutions and resources in every touchpoint we have with them. We are committed to recommending ideas, programs, products and services that will maximize the value and ensure the success of cost-effective benefit plans for each and every client.

    Well known in the community for our culture, we make concerted efforts to be inclusive, open to everyone’s perspectives and to be optimistic and engage the mind and spirit. Culture development comes from our entire staff.  Our culture committee coordinates a variety of events including community volunteer activities to have fun together and invigorate staff.

    Part of our culture is also to practice The Collaborative Way which emphasizes Speaking Straight, Being There for Each Other, Listening Generously, Acknowledge & Appreciation and Honoring Commitments. We have ongoing training and support for our employees. The training and message has been extremely well received.

    As a result, we have very happy and appreciative employees and outstanding performance for our clients.  Our firm achieved Top 100 Employer to Work for in Oregon for the 16th year in a row.
    Our Team

    Meet Our Team

    People you can count on. People you can trust.

    Sandi Christianson-Duprey

    Benefits Consultant
    Sandi Christianson-Duprey

    Sandi Christianson-Dupreyis a seasoned Benefits Consultant at Davidson with an impressive 22 years of experience in the benefits industry.

     

    Sandi's strength lies in cultivating robust relationships, both within the professional sphere and on a personal level. Renowned for her outgoing nature, she consistently exceeds client expectations, making her an invaluable asset to the team.

     

    Before joining Davidson Benefit Planning, Sandi played a pivotal role in establishing and nurturing a Portland start-up employee benefits agency. Her rapid ascent to Director of Operations and Client Relationship Manager underscored her adeptness at navigating the intricacies of business operations. Sandi has her Life & Health licenses in both Oregon and Washington

     

    Outside of work, Sandi finds solace in exploring the natural beauty of Oregon on her ebike, and her passion for travel extends to warm locales, with the tropics holding a special place in her heart.

    Alex Crosslin

    Reporting Analyst
    Alex Crosslin

    Alex Crosslin is a Reporting Analyst with over 10 years of experience in human resources and benefits.  Alex began her career as an HR Generalist and followed that up with outsourcing HR services to small and mid-size companies. She has extensive experience in employee relations, payroll, HRIS data maintenance, compliance, benefits administration, and recruitment.

     

    Alex has a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Oregon State University and a Master’s in Human Relations/Counseling from Northern Arizona University.

     

    In her free time, Alex stays busy with her two little boys and loves to spend time with family and friends.  She also enjoys yoga, running, martial arts and skiing.

    Kyle Davidson

    Financial Analyst
    Kyle Davidson

    Kyle Davidson is a creative and animated member of the DBP team. Kyle is an Financial Analyst providing financial support and resources for analysis and reporting. His responsibilities include reporting, financial analysis and developing processes for streamlining and simplifying projects to create efficiency. Kyle enjoys bringing innovation and creativity to routine projects to provide reliability and ease of use.

     

    Kyle is a native Oregonian and enjoys the active and outdoor lifestyle. His hobbies include bonsai trees, camping, kayaking, hiking, golfing and attending basketball and football sporting events. In addition, he enjoys spending his time with family and friends. Kyle graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Managerial Economics and maintains his Life and Health Licenses in Oregon.

    John Davidson

    Producer
    Producer

    John Davidson, CSFS began his insurance career in 1980 as a producer of individual life products with Standard Insurance Company. In June of 1983 John started Davidson Benefits Planning and began working with small employer groups and shortly thereafter found an underserved and unique potential in the large group employee benefits segment.  John since has established himself among his peers as an industry thought leader focused on strategic planning, cost management and the benefits of self-funding.

     

    John founded Davidson Benefits Planning as a means to bring his expertise and passion to the Northwest market and over 41 years later continues to serve the interests of many clients with his signature stamp of integrity, honesty, and humility.  As a past President of the Oregon Association of Health Underwriters and multiple Agency of the Year awards, John continues to represent the benefits industry and his clients with leadership, commitment, and innovation.

     

    John is a 1978 Business graduate of Linfield College and is a Certified Self-Funding Specialist (CSFS). He actively serves as a board member on various philanthropies.

    Resources

    EXPERT EDUCATION

    Events and Webinars

    Employee Benefits

    When Captive Insurance Makes Sense

    In this session, our experts will talk about how captives work, the advantages and disadvantages and what you need to know to determine whether they make sense for your organization.

    November 21, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual

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    Webinar Graphic

    Employee Benefits

    Q4 Compliance Update

    Alera Group's quarterly employee benefits compliance roundup will help you stay current on the latest national regulatory developments impacting employers.

    December 3, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual

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    Webinar - Legal Graphic

    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 Report 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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    Webinar graphic - Alera Engage
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    They provide top level support and knowledgeable answers

    After a rough renewal with a previous broker, we knew it was time for a change. In walked Davidson Benefits Planning and they offered a lot more than most. Sometimes it’s hard to make the decision to change, to take on the risk and it’s hard to trust that the change will be good thing. Davidson quickly proved themselves to be a great change! The benefit consultants are not only knowledgeable in benefit administration, but they are thoroughly versed in human resource matters. They understand that benefits and human resources often go hand in hand. Davidson provides top notch customer service and support. They consistently respond to my needs within minutes and provide what I deem to be excellent service and support. Not only do they provide top level support and knowledgeable answers to my questions, but they also go to bat in negotiating fair and equitable renewals with our carriers. They bring fresh new ideas to the table. We are so glad that we teamed up with Davidson. In addition, over the last three years they have shown me that they are a generous caring company within the community and their entire team (starting with Mr. Davidson) genuinely express their appreciation for their clients.
    IssPro
    IssPro
    They are always working for our best interests
    They are smart, articulate, driven and focused. They are committed to us, always available and prompt in their assistance. We can trust they are always working for our best interests.
    Resers
    Reser’s Fine Foods
    Team of knowledgeable, professional, hard-working people

    We have had the privilege of having the skilled DBP team working as our benefits broker for several years. John Davidson and the DBP team are fabulous! Without exception, the staff at DBP are a team of knowledgeable, professional, hard-working people that set high standards for performance and hold themselves to even higher standards of integrity. They have professionally guided us through the renewal process, recommended and assisted in making plan design changes, and negotiated hard for the best possible pricing for premiums. Throughout the year, they are available to provide support and assistance with any issues that may arise. They provide a high level of customer service that makes us feel that we are highly valued by them. The DBP team worked hard initially to earn our business — and work even harder to keep it year after year.
    Vtech Inc.
    Vtech Inc.
    An extension of our HR team

    The DBP team is an extremely talented group of professionals. Columbia Distributing greatly values their partnership and considers them an extension of our HR team. They understand the drivers of our business and have proven to be consummate business partners.
    Columbia Distributing
    Columbia Distributing
    Always available, proactive and knowledgeable

    We have happily worked with DBP since 2000. They have proven to be an invaluable partner in helping us administer our benefit plan. They are always available, proactive and knowledgeable. We feel fortunate to have such a great team on our side. They are wonderful people that we love working with and would recommend them to anyone.
    McMenamins
    McMenamins
    Knowledgeable, responsive, trustworthy, resourceful, and provide a personal touch that is rare in this digital age

    I am extremely satisfied with the service and support I get from the team at Davidson Benefits Planning. They are an essential partner in the effort to manage the costs and complexities of our health and welfare programs. Their efforts to work on our behalf are as good as any I have experienced in my long career. They are knowledgeable, responsive, trustworthy, resourceful, and provide a personal touch that is rare in this digital age. They have my admiration and I fully recommend them without reservation.
    Columbia Cascade Company
    Columbia Cascade Company
    DBP listens to our needs, then provides a customized and informative plan for success

    We have enjoyed working with the phenomenal team at Davidson Benefits Planning. Over the years, we have found DBP listens to our needs, then provides a customized and informative plan for success. In addition, we have enjoyed top tier customer service from all team members at DBP. This is a company that promises to go the extra mile, and then actually follows through!
    Hawthorn Senior Living
    Hawthorn Senior Living
    They are great to work with and all-around enjoyable teammates in the benefits space

    The team at Davidson Benefits Planning are wonderful! We continue to choose Davidson Benefits for several reasons. Not only are they knowledgeable in the world of benefits and compliance, but they really are an extension of our Human Resources team – updating us and making sure we are in the loop on the latest benefit news/legislation. They also maintain a high standard when it comes to vendors, they vet and research each TPA, vendor and product before even suggesting them and can easily give us info on vendors they suggest and why. They are also very personable, have excellent customer service and response time. They are great to work with and all-around enjoyable teammates in the benefits space.
    Walsh Construction Co.
    Walsh Construction Co.
    They truly have set the standard for amazing service

    The DBP team are not only excellent to work with, but they truly have set the standard for amazing service. DBP go above and beyond to make themselves available to us at any time to answer questions and educate our team, ensure that we are compliant and ensure that we are getting the best rates and service possible, all while being professional, timely, helpful and kind.

    We value the relationship with our team at DBP and given the exceptional service that we continue to receive, would highly recommend working with the amazing team at DBP.
    Coos Curry Electric
    Coos Curry Electric

    THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

    Insights

    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

    Find out more

    Employee Benefits

    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

    Find out more

    Employee Benefits

    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

    Find out more

    Employee Benefits

    Courts Ablaze with Tobacco Surcharge Class Action Lawsuits

    Tobacco surcharges, or an increase in premiums for employees who use tobacco products, are attractive to employers looking to keep their employee population healthy and lower their healthcare costs. But they can go too far, and many employers might not be aware of the limitations.

    November 15, 2024

    Find out more
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