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.
John Tunney
Branch President
John has over 25 years of CFO experience building emerging growth and middle market companies in both the public market and the private sector as well as for profit and not for profit. John and his team provide HR & Benefits Technology consulting to companies in the Mid-Atlantic region. Using his past experience in the area of HR administration and information technology, he will support the review and recommendations of preferred vendors and solutions for HR compliance, payroll and benefits admin from a CFO perspective.
John’s experience extends to manufacturing, distribution, online marketing and software development companies. John has also overseen year-end audits of defined contribution plans, pension plans, financial statements and tax returns (including state and federal).
He holds a B.A. from Washington & Lee University, an MBA from Loyola University of Maryland and is a CPA with high distinction.
Lindsay Walker
Vice President
Lindsay joined the firm as an intern in 1999 and currently serves her clients as a Vice President. Lindsay has extensive training in the areas of fully insured medical plans, captives, Group Life, Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Vision and Dental plans across all industries. Lindsay has significant experience with the marketing, sale and implementation of group benefit plans.
Lindsay volunteers her time as a junior board member for Living Classrooms and has been a mentor for the Crossroads School. She was also a Living Classrooms Rising Star in 2016.
Lindsay is originally from Baltimore and attended Roland Park Country School. She graduated from Towson University with her Bachelor of Arts in History. Lindsay also holds her Life & Health License.
Chris Wiley
Senior Financial Consultant
Chris joined the firm in 2008 and is now Senior Financial Consultant. As an analyst, Chris uses a proprietary suite of analytic tools to recommend financial solutions. Chris prepares financial/clinical reporting and also works with consultants to examine results of complex financial modeling and analytics. In his current role, he provides detailed analysis to clients concerning their benefit costs, proposed benefit plan designs and deduction modeling scenarios. He designs concise reports illustrating the financial impact of multiple strategies. Chris is an integral part of the strategic team in assisting clients with their budgetary needs in preparing cost per head reports, historical claim analysis, catastrophic claimant breakdowns, and deduction modeling.
Chris holds a Bachelor’s degree from Towson University as well as a Life and Health license.
Cole Wixted
Senior Account Manager
Cole joined the firm in 2022 and is now a Senior Account Manager, primarily focusing on small- to mid-size clients. Prior to joining Alera Group, Cole held various leadership and healthcare administration roles, giving him a unique understanding of the healthcare industry. This industry experience is invaluable in supporting clients’ group administrators and advocating for their employees. In his current role, Cole analyzes employee benefit plan arrangements and provides detailed comparisons to help clients make informed decisions about their benefits packages. He is dedicated to building strong client relationships and managing daily communications, ensuring client retention. Cole also facilitates and conducts open enrollment meetings, utilizing employee communications materials and coordinating with carriers. He takes pride in serving as an extension of clients’ HR teams, helping employees understand, navigate and utilize their offered benefits. Cole is a valuable resource for both clients and their employees. He holds Life & Health licenses in the states of Maryland and Delaware.
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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