About Us

    Our History

    Since 1975, GCG Financial, LLC, has been a trusted partner for our clients.  Our mission has been to enhance the financial security of the businesses and families we serve through exceptional employee benefits, risk management, and wealth management solutions.

    In 2017, GCG Financial and 23 other like- minded, entrepreneurial firms came together to form Alera Group.  Since then, Alera Group has grown to become the 11th largest independent insurance and financial services firm in the nation with over 4,000 employees, 180 firms, and thousands of clients across the country.

    In 2022, we officially began embracing the Alera Group brand.  What remains consistent is holding our clients at the core of our business;  we focus on bringing personalized solutions, expanding our capabilities, and deepening our resources nationally.

    Our Team  

    Trusted.  Smart.  Passionate.

    Our team has a sincere commitment to the long- term success of our clients.  With an emphasis on collaboration and teamwork, we create unique solutions that fit the distinct needs of each client.  We are passionate about doing what is right for every client, driven by the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, integrity, character, fairness, trust, and confidence.

    Our Presence

    Our clients benefit from the expertise and resources of a large national firm, while still maintaining the advantages of local service and relationships.  We leverage powerful relationships, industry experience, and resources with the goal of supporting our clients’ business strategies and elevating the experience of working with us.

    Above all, our firm believes in empowering people – our clients, our team, and the individuals in the communities where we live and work.

    Our Locations

    We are headquartered in Deerfield, IL, with offices throughout Illinois and Colorado, along with more than 150 Alera Group locations across the country.  Wherever you are, we can meet your needs.

    Meet Our Team

    David Levitz, CLU®, ChFC®, RHU

    Managing Partner
    Photo of David Levitz

    P: (847) 457-3003

     

    David Levitz serves as a Managing Partner for the firm. In his role, David is focused on corporate growth and new business development. David’s background as a senior leader at has positioned him perfectly to understand the various facets of employee benefits, risk management and wealth accumulation.

    David’s broad expertise will allow him to help organizations navigate the complexity and uncertainty that exists in today’s environment. His area of focus centers around the design, marketing, negotiation, and financial analysis of employee benefit programs. Additionally, David has managed care experience in ASO, self-funded contracts and alternatively funded group insurance programs.

    David is active in numerous charities and civic organizations. He is a Million Dollar Round Table ("MDRT") Foundation Knight. The Foundation works to increase volunteerism and provides funds to worthy charities worldwide. David has earned a Life Membership in the MDRT and is a past qualifier of MDRT’s Court of the Table and Top of the Table awards. David is also a past President of the Deerfield, Bannockburn and Riverwoods Chambers of Commerce and currently is on the Executive Committee of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Healthcare Council.

    David is currently a member of several professional organizations, including NAIFA (National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors) and NAHU (National Association of Health Underwriters). He is a past President of the North Branch CALU (Chicago Association of Life Underwriters).

    David is married with two grown children and devotes quality time to family life. When time permits, David is an avid golfer, skier, and sports enthusiast.

    Education: University of Denver

    Credentials: Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), and Registered Health Underwriter (RHU®)

    LinkedIn

    Richard S. Levitz, CLU®, CHFC®, CFP®

    Managing Director, Midwest Region
    Photo of Richard S. Levitz

    P: (847) 457-3004

     

    In his role as Managing Director, Rick provides leadership to 26 locations covering roughly 600 employees. In addition to regional management, his responsibilities include setting strategic initiatives, relationship management with key producers and staff, providing input on client acquisition and retention, and overseeing the overall growth of the region. He also oversees the integration of affiliate firms and works to make connections across Alera Group. Rick’s areas of focus include life insurance, estate planning, business succession, and executive compensation strategies. In addition, Rick continues to work directly with clients focusing on complex planning needs for high-net-worth individuals.

    He enjoys golfing, running, paddle tennis, and skiing. He has been married for roughly 30 years and is a proud father of three adult children. He is passionate about supporting organizations that help teens with financial assistance for higher education.

    Rick is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP) professional, Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC).

    He holds registrations for Series 6, 7, 24, 63 and 65. Rick is a member of the Society of Financial Services Professionals, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, the Financial Planning Association and the Association for Advanced Life Underwriters.

    Rick received his BSBA in Finance from the University of Denver in 1985 and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1988. Upon completion of law school, he spent four years at the law firm of Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago, Illinois.

     

    Advisory Services offered through Alera Investment Advisors, LLC. Securities offered through Triad Advisors, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. Triad Advisors LLC is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Triad Advisors.

    Carla DeMello

    Employee Benefits Practice Leader | Midwest Region
    Photo of Carla DeMello

    P: (847) 457-3007

     

    Carla serves as the Employee Benefits Practice Leader for the Midwest Region. In this role, Carla is responsible for driving strategic direction along with all aspects of client service. She focuses on ensuring Alera Group professionals have the tools, resources and support to meet the needs of an ever-evolving benefits landscape and deliver an exceptional client experience.

    With many years of leadership, operations and benefits experience, Carla helps organizations think about business strategy through a people-first approach. With relevant prior experience in human resource, labor, benefit administration and insurance carrier environments, her background provides a breadth of perspectives when it comes to understanding the interests and intricate operations of each stakeholder.

    Carla is passionate about organizational and leadership development. She believes the team builds capacity and momentum through continual process improvement, keen awareness of metrics, and opportunities to innovate. Similarly, Carla strives to identify and develop rising talent, helping others achieve their career aspirations. She is active in DEI initiatives and is a member of Alera’s Women’s Leadership Committee.

    Carla is currently pursuing her EMBA through Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She holds a BA in Benefits Administration and Compliance from DePaul University.

    Certifications: Managing People to Perform (Predictive Index), Project Management, FMLA and ADA Compliance, Producer License for Health & Life

    Steve Felker

    Property & Casualty Practice Leader | Midwest Region
    Photo of Steve Felker

    P: (847) 457-3213

     

    Steve started the Risk Management practice in Chicago in 2009. Under his leadership, the practice has grown rapidly, acquiring key talent, and deepening its relationships with leading industry carriers to provide broader markets to clients. Steve’s innovative and customized client solutions have helped build strong client relationships for the firm. His colleagues and clients value his technical focus and sound business advice. His expertise is in medium- to large-sized businesses with an additional emphasis on personal insurance for individuals.

    Steve began his career at Lawton-Byrne-Bruner Insurance Agency (LBB), the largest insurance brokerage firm in St. Louis at the time. During his 12-year career there he was elected Senior Vice President and then became an owner of the firm. In 1986, Steve was instrumental in the sale of LBB to Marsh & McLennan, Inc., at which time Steve was named Managing Director (the firm’s highest professional designation). Over the next 24 years, he held numerous positions including head of the St. Louis office for 15 years. During that time the office had 200-250 employees and achieved revenues exceeding $50 million annually. Steve was also responsible for serving many of the largest corporations in St. Louis.

    Steve and his wife live in Lake Forest, Illinois and they have four grown children. Steve is active in several clubs and other organizations in the Chicago area.

    Education: B.A., Bowdoin College, 1974.

    Sources

    Alera Group Spends The Week Giving Back

    In the spirit of our Generous Community Giving program, Alera Group employees participated in a week of events, both in-person and virtually, for our 2023 Community Giving week.

    Chicago Housing Authority Hiring Fair

    Alera Group colleagues spent the day at the Chicago Housing Authority Job Fair reviewing resumes, helping with interview prep, working on communication skills, and offering general insights and advice to people just starting their professional careers. It was time well spent helping others in the community both professionally and personally.

    Feed My Starving Children

    The Alera Group team volunteering with Feed My Starving Children had a positive experience measuring, bagging, weighing, sealing, and packing meals for children over the course of an afternoon. Not only did they feel like they made a difference in the lives of others, but they also enjoyed using the time as a teambuilding exercise to work with colleagues outside of their department.

    Lyman Woods Nature Center

    Alera Group volunteers rolled up their sleeves to beautify the nature preserve by building a new fence and cleaning up the trails for the community to enjoy now that the weather has warmed up. Despite being a physically demanding morning, everyone agreed it was a rewarding experience.

    Send virtual cards to patients at St. Jude

    Our remote teammates were able to participate in Community Giving Week as well! They wrote dozens of encouraging notes to patients undergoing treatment for cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

    The Alera Group volunteers not only gave their time and energy to make a positive impact on our communities, but unanimously agreed that they had a great time while doing it!

    Community Giving 2023

    Alera Group’s 2023 Office 5k Raises Money for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

    On October 12 we laced up our sneakers as part of our Generous Community Giving initiative. This year’s annual 5k included a record number of participants who enjoyed running and walking the outdoor course at our Deerfield, Illinois headquarters as well as a step challenge for remote employees. To keep things interesting, we added a new 5k relay event consisting of teams of four colleagues for some additional friendly competition.

    The proceeds of the money raised this year benefits Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Their mission is to improve lives by accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent, and treat type 1 diabetes (T1D).

    The day was billed a success as the rain clouds held off long enough for us to support an important cause while enjoying the company of our fellow team members.

    Juvenile Diabetes 5k

    An Alera Group Care Package

    Alera Group colleagues came together last month to enjoy a lunch and celebrate our shared successes in 2023. The day had a bigger purpose though, as we rolled up our sleeves to kickoff our first Generous Community Giving event in the new year with nonprofit group, Blessings in a Backpack.

    Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on the weekends for school-aged children across America who might otherwise go hungry. By the end of the afternoon, over 100 Alera Group colleagues had packed 500 bags! Not only was it rewarding to collaborate on a physical task together, but we were thrilled to know that our work would ensure children in our community would not go hungry that weekend.

    An Alera Group Care Package

    EXPERT EDUCATION

    Events and Webinars

    Employee Benefits

    How Voluntary Benefits Inspire Employee Loyalty

    Presenters will show you how to use these benefits to meet the needs of both your business and employees, driving retention and saving money. 

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

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    Webinar graphic - Alera Engage

    Employee Benefits

    HIPAA Privacy and Security Overview

    Join our compliance experts for an overview of HIPAA’s Privacy and Security Rules.

    April 2, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual

    Sign Up
    Stock image with the words Alera Group Webinar

    Employee Benefits

    Finding, Using and Transitioning Out of a PEO

    Your company is small, and limited resources make it difficult to manage a robust benefits program. Time to explore outside support from a professional employer organization (PEO). But where to begin?

    April 18, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual

    Sign Up
    Webinar graphic - Alera Engage

    THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

    Insights

    Wealth Services

    Weekly Market Update

    Stocks fell for the second straight week on inflation concerns despite a report on consumer prices that was initially well received by investors.

    March 18, 2024

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    Retirement Plan Services

    Seven Tips to Help You Prepare for Retirement

    Start building your retirement strategy today with these tips. From setting clear objectives to understanding Social Security benefits and healthcare options, this guide helps you navigate the path towards a fulfilling retirement.

    March 14, 2024

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    Retirement Plan Services

    Helping Young Americans Save for Retirement Act

    Explore the proposed Helping Young Americans Save for Retirement Act, allowing employees as young as 18 to contribute to 401(k) plans. Learn about key restrictions and considerations, including exemptions for part-time workers and nondiscrimination testing. Discover how this bill could shape future retirement policy legislation.

    March 14, 2024

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    Retirement Plan Services

    The Graying of the American Workforce

    Explore how the influx of retirement-age Americans presents an opportunity for organizations. Learn how to tap into the experience of older workers to boost productivity, preserve corporate culture, and enhance job satisfaction. Discover strategies for adapting rewards and benefits to support the evolving needs of senior employees.

    March 14, 2024

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