About Us
Since 1999, SIG, an employee benefits firm, has been dedicated to partnering with our clients and providing exceptional customer service. The inspirational basis for our operating business principles is: “If you take care of Baltimore, Baltimore will take care of you.” This philosophy has instilled itself in our culture and practice of all employees. SIG has years of industry experience, which has given us an edge over the competition in the vast wealth of knowledge and resources we have gathered. Our employees are passionate about helping and forming long-lasting relationships with others, and when you partner with us, we become a true extension of your company.
In 2017, SIG 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 2023, 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.
Mission
We go the extra mile to help navigate the healthcare system and marketplace for our clients in order to advise them on the creation of comprehensive benefits plans that align with their core values to maximize their investment while controlling their costs. Our team-oriented approach allows us to become an extension of our clients’ HR departments. Through our vast knowledge and resource base, we keep our clients educated and well informed with the ever-changing healthcare regulations and marketplace.
Core Values
In order to create the organizational culture we desire, we embrace and embody the following core values:
- Partnership
- Integrity
- Creativity
- Flexibility
- Passion
- Collaboration
- Excellence
Meet Our Team
People you can count on. People you can trust.
Kristen Martin
Controller
Kristen joined the firm in March 2020 as the Controller. She analyzes financial information and shares with other teams to assist in making important business decisions. Kristen brings with her over 8 years in the insurance industry, most recently with Kelly & Associates Insurance Group. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Financial Economics from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Patrick McEnerney
Senior Partner
A Senior Partner, Pat is a native Washingtonian and graduated Gonzaga College High School in 1979. He attended The University of The South graduating with a BA degree in 1983.
He began his insurance career with Mass Mutual / Capitol Financial Partners in1983 working with small-to-medium sized business owners designing solutions to insurance needs at the personal and corporate level. He was instrumental in establishing an in-house benefit consulting company, Advanced Benefit Strategies Inc. (ABSI), in 1993 with partner Jeff Hamblen. The purpose of the firm was to support the group insurance needs for the clients of Capitol Financial Partners.
Patrick has designed and implemented corporate benefit plans for over 400 corporations in the Washington Metropolitan area. He and the benefits team manage over 70 million dollars of premium annually.Patrick has been on the board of directors of the Greater Washington Area Health Underwriters Association and has been active in several local charities over the years. He is a member of the National Health Underwriters Leading Producers Round Table and the Blue Cross Blue Shield broker counsel. Patrick and his wife Tammy have four children and live in Montgomery County Maryland.
Jessica Mckinney-Land
Senior Communications & Compliance Specialist
Jessica joined the firm in 2018. She works with fully-insured group clients. In her role, Jessica assists clients with preparation of open enrollment materials, benefit brochures, and more. She also manages the 5500 filing process for large group clients and assists with renewal preparation. Jessica brings a wealth of experience to her team, with two decades of working in customer service and healthcare-related fields. Jessica holds a Life and Health license and is also professional artist.
John Moorhead
Account Executive
John joined the firm in 2019 as an Account Executive. He has over 19 years’ experience in the employee benefits sector. John specializes in designing benefit programs that engage employees through education, communication and properly aligned incentives. The goal is to create an environment in which everyone is not only engaged in controlling benefit costs but also focused on being healthy, happy and productive employees. Prior to joining the firm, John worked as a consultant at benefit brokerage firms in the Mid - Atlantic region. He also has past experience working for a national insurance carrier as a large group Sales Representative. John holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Salisbury University as well as Life and Health licenses in Maryland and Virginia.
Community Service
Paying it Forward is a core component at our firm. Our culture thrives on community involvement where we proudly support our clients, employees and the communities in which we live and work.
We empower our employees to “pay it forward” by fostering a sense of purpose and providing opportunities for impact in our community. One way we do this is by supporting causes and initiatives proposed by our team and providing opportunities to serve the
We empower our employees to “pay it forward” by fostering a sense of purpose and providing opportunities for impact in our community. One way we do this is by supporting causes and initiatives proposed by our team and providing opportunities to serve the wider world. We believe having a culture that encourages serving and giving is a significant contributor to life and career fulfillment, which enhances our overall wellbeing. With the help from our Culture Committee, we have the opportunity to serve our community together with multiple planned events each year.
We strive to creating lasting relationships with our clients. We are proud to support our clients and friends of the firm in their mission and their organizations that help create meaningful, lasting change in our community. Interested in us serving your
We strive to creating lasting relationships with our clients. We are proud to support our clients and friends of the firm in their mission and their organizations that help create meaningful, lasting change in our community.
Interested in us serving your non-profit or organization? Reach out and let us know! Email us here
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Employee Benefits
GLP-1s at Scale: Why Weight-Loss Drug Decisions Are Now a Financial Strategy
A GLP-1 decision framework plus scenarios.
July 21, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
Register Here
Employee Benefits
Open Enrollment That Works: Why Employees Do Not Engage — and How Modern Communications Drive Better Choices
Practical communication strategies to strengthen open enrollment effectiveness and employee decision-making.
August 18, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
Register Here
Employee Benefits
The Compliance Pathway Q3
Don't miss this ongoing opportunity to ensure you comply with current regulations and are prepared for what's ahead.
September 2, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
Register Here
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
What the 2026 Benchmarking Data Reveals — and Why It Matters Now
On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET, Alera Group will host Benchmarking That Drives Decisions: Why Averages Mislead — and What Best-in-Class Data Reveals, a live webinar designed for HR, finance and executive leaders involved in benefits planning, budgeting and long-term strategy.
June 11, 2026
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Employee Benefits
Legal Alert: IRS Releases 2027 HSA Contribution Limits and Other Limits
In Rev. Proc. 2026-24, the IRS released the inflation adjusted amounts for 2027 relevant to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs). The table below summarizes those adjustments and other applicable limits.
June 3, 2026
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Legal Alert: PBM Transparency Coming Soon
Two recent movements on the federal level have paved the way for greater pharmacy benefit manager (“PBM”) transparency for group health plans.
May 22, 2026
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Legal Alert: RxDC Reporting Due June 1st
Reminder: RxDC Reporting Due June 1st
February 26, 2026
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