John assists his clients by providing them with service and advice around the design, risk management, communication, and enrollment of their health and welfare and qualified retirement plans and keeping them compliant with the federal and state laws and regulations that govern the operations of such plans.

John founded and operated Benico as an independent firm until the end of 2016 when he joined with 23 other insurance / employee benefit consulting firms’ principals to form Alera Group.

A graduate of Trinity International University in Bannockburn, Illinois, John began his career in 1977 as an agent for AXA Equitable, after working for Great-West Healthcare as a group insurance sales representative for two years.

John Garven holds the Chartered Healthcare Consultant™ (ChHC™), Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®), and Registered Health Underwriter® (RHU®) designations conferred by The American College, the nation’s leading educational institution serving the insurance and financial services industries. He also holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation awarded by The Center for Fiduciary Studies.

John is a renowned industry speaker, with his reputation built on his ability to clearly communicate often-complex subject matter in an informed and engaging manner. He has spoken at meetings sponsored by the Chicago Bar Association, the Heartland Institute, SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Illinois ASBO (Association of School Business Officials), and the League of Women Voters. John is also a frequent speaker at national, regional, and local meetings of the National Association of Health Underwriters.

John resides in Gilbert, Arizona with his wife, Pam. They have two adult children and seven grandchildren whom they are crazy about.