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.
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.
Investment advisory services offered through Alera Investment Advisors, LLC. Securities offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth.
Meet Our Team
John Przybylski
AuditRate Consultant | Property & Casualty
With over 15 years of consulting experience within the Insurance industry, John is a subject matter expert in Workers’ Compensation and General Liability premium overcharges. As an AuditRate Consultant at the firm, he serves as the main point of contact for AuditRate, a proprietary solution designed to help employers discover and recover workers’ compensation and general liability overcharges. John is primarily responsible for leading full life cycle audits on workers’ compensation and general liability audits, as well as promoting AuditRate as an effective tool for producers to use during prospecting. As a part of the AuditRate team, John has an in-depth knowledge of the factors that drive premiums, which allows him to aid clients in challenging overpaid premium. John has achieved and maintained a record of uncovering overcharges on 40% of all contingency engagements.
Prior to working at the firm, John held various audit and consulting positions for companies such as Nationwide/ Harleysville Insurance Co., Zurich NA, and HUB International.
Outside of work, John resides in Huntley, IL and currently sits on the Huntley Youth Football League Board of Directors.
Shelly Rabin
Senior Benefits Consultant | Employee Benefits
Shelly Rabin is a Senior Benefits Consultant at the firm with over 30 years of experience writing and servicing small group benefits, individual medical plans, and Medicare supplement plans. Among other things, her responsibilities include serving as the first point of contact for small group account specialists with complex issues, working with her team to troubleshoot challenges and identify solutions, and managing a book of small group accounts.
Shelly received her Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a specialty in interpersonal communication from The University of Wisconsin- Madison.
Joan Settineri Kopinski, GBDS
Senior Vice President, Benefits Consulting | Employee Benefits
Joan is a Senior Vice President of Benefits Consulting who brings organization and execution to the strategies that Brian Uhlig develops for his clients. Joan is responsible for the strategic planning and execution of Health and Welfare programs including vendor management, plan administration, merger/acquisition management, and employee communications. Joan’s years of experience in Human Resources before becoming a benefits consultant provides her with a unique ability to understand and address each client's needs. She has a passion for employee education and ensuring that the programs that are implemented are understood and properly communicated.
Joan enjoys spending time with her daughter and 3 young boys. She is active in her community and is heavily involved with her sons' extracurricular activities: band, cross country, track, travel hockey, theatre and Boy Scouts.
Kim Slavik, AINS, CISR
Director of Select Accounts, Risk Management | Property & Casualty
Kim is a Director of Select Accounts in the Risk Management division with over 17 years of experience in the insurance industry at both large and small insurance agencies. She supervises the Select Accounts Team as they guide both prospects and clients in managing their business insurance needs. Kim is passionate about helping businesses find cost effective insurance options without sacrificing the quality of their insurance coverage.
Education: B.A. Applied Behavioral Science, Psychology
Credentials: Associate in General Insurance (AINS), Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR)
Resources
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Employee Benefits
Dynamic Data: Strategies for Success
Join us for this session, as our experts will share how to utilize your organization’s data to create advanced and innovative strategies for success.
July 17, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Wealth Services
State of the Markets
Join us as we unveil the factors that drive the nation's financial pulse and how they may impact your personal finances.
July 23, 2025 at 12:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
Preparing for Open Enrollment: How to Engage and Educate Your Employees on Their Total Benefits Package
In this session, our experts will share guidance on setting yourself up for success during Open Enrollment.
August 21, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
Legal Alert: Employee Benefits Provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
On July 3, 2025, Congress passed a reconciliation bill (the “Reconciliation Act”) previously named the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, but subsequently redesignated “An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14.”
July 8, 2025
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Wealth Services
Monthly Market and Economic Update - June 2025
Read about the latest insights on the market and economy from our Director of Investments, Bob Janson.
July 7, 2025
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Wealth Services
Weekly Market Update
Trade developments and continued momentum pushed all three major averages to modest gains again for a shortened holiday trading week.
July 7, 2025
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Weekly Market Update
Stocks staged a broad-based rally last week on investors’ hopes for a lasting Middle East ceasefire, hitting fresh record highs along the way.
June 30, 2025
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