Ally Musike
Account Manager, Commercial Lines
Ally Musike
Ally has served in the insurance industry since 2016. She currently operates as a licensed Large Lines Commercial Account Executive where she works with John Eltringham to assist clients with their insurance needs. Ally aids in placing new business, processing renewals, and issuing endorsements, audits, and certificates. According to Ally, the most rewarding part of insurance is getting to know clients and their businesses and fostering strong relationships.
Ally has also earned professional insurance designations such as her Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate in Risk Management (ARM), and Accredited Adviser in Insurance (AAI). She earned her master’s degree in Legal Studies with a concentration in Contract Law from Purdue University Global. Currently, she is pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Grand Canyon University.
Outside of work, Ally loves to spend time with family and her dog, Chloe. She loves to be outdoors boating or practicing archery. Ally also always has her nose in a good book!
Amber Shatto
Vice President, Employee Benefits
Amber Shatto
Amber is Vice President of Employee Benefits at AIA, Alera Group in the Mechanicsburg office. Her role encompasses oversight of strategic health and welfare plan management for our clients to ensure best-in-class service, partnership, and results. Her focus is on client relationships to establish trusted collaboration in navigating the complexity of the health care system.
Amber has been in the insurance industry since 2005 and held various roles including Financial Representative for MetLife, Senior Client Manager in regional and national accounts with Highmark Blue Shield, and Senior Sales Executive for key accounts with Aetna.
In her spare time, Amber enjoys spending time with her two children, Felicity and Markus, and her rescue pup, Trixie. She is an avid participant in Inferno Hot Pilates, a heated high-intensity interval training workout at her local hot yoga studio, Drip 105. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Shalom House, which provides emergency shelter and transformational life services for homeless women and children in Harrisburg, Pa.
Amber holds a B.A. in Communications from Shippensburg University as well as active Life, Accident, and Health Insurance Licenses.
Andrew Minick
Account Manager, Commercial Lines
Andrew Minick
Andrew is a Commercial Lines Account Manager in AIA, Alera Group’s Property & Casualty division. He joined our agency in May 2021 and is looking forward to providing outstanding customer service to the clients he will be servicing. Prior to joining the agency, Andrew worked for Donegal Insurance Group as a Commercial Lines Underwriter. He has 7 years of insurance experience and currently holds the Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) and Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS) designations. He graduated in 2012 from Liberty University and earned his B.S. degree in Graphic Design along with a Business minor.
Outside of work, Andrew enjoys spending quality time with his young family and is an avid Pittsburgh sports fan. He plays basketball, runs, and loves to be outdoors.
Andrew Zercher
Medicare & Individual Consultant
Andrew Zercher
Andrew Zercher is a Medicare and Individual Benefits Consultant who is passionate about providing the best services to his clients.
Andrew understands the complexities involved with choosing the right plan and navigates with each individual to provide the best possible solution for their insurance needs.
Prior to coming to Alera, Andrew worked as a branch manager for Wells Fargo for 2 years, and with the company close to 8 years total.
Andrew Zercher holds a Pennsylvania Insurance Producer License in Life, Accident and Health along with a Bachelor’s in business administration from Messiah College.
Outside of work, Andrew enjoys spending time with his wife and stepdaughter. You will often find him working on a woodworking project or perfecting a recipe to share with family and friends.
Angel Crum
Appointment and Billing Coordinator
Angel Crum
Angel serves as an Appointment and Billing Specialist assisting Mandy Yerkey and Diane Bendyl with appointments and commissions among other duties. She previously spent the last 27 years working as a medical assistant and became a manager in 2012.
Angel has been married to her husband Austin for 12 years and has two adult children Katie and Kamron. She enjoys spending time with my family and friends and loves warm weather.
Ashley Stegman
Account Manager, Advanced Strategies
Ashley Stegman
Ashley serves as an Account Coordinator in AIA, Alera Group’s Employee Benefits division working uniquely on advanced healthcare strategies and wellness solutions for clients. She supports a number of advanced health strategies including our suite of GameChanger programs. She is integral to the implementation and ongoing engagement of these unique solutions and strategies. Ashley’s responsibilities include supporting clients through the implementation and launch of vendor solutions, developing engagement strategies, and supporting and managing the ongoing relationships between vendors and clients. Ashley joined the AIA, Alera Group team in 2019.
Ashley holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Point Park University. She is known for her organizational skills as well as her focus and attention to detail and looks forward to working closely with clients on their unique initiatives.
Baron Keefer
Chief Operating Officer, Property & Casualty
Baron Keefer
Baron is the Chief Operating Officer for the Property and Casualty division at AIA, Alera Group. In addition to managing the operations, he is also a Senior Producer responsible for managing and growing a significant book of commercial clients. Baron specializes in construction, but he also handles clients in numerous other industry segments. He has expertise in traditional insurance products, as well as large deductibles, retros, self-insurance, and captives. Baron utilizes a consultative type of approach to analyzing his clients’ exposures to risk and determines the best solution to address them.
Baron has been with AIA, Alera Group for over 20 years and previously served as a Regional Claims Manager in the insurance industry for several years. This experience has aided his ability to serve clients with a strong claims background and understanding of the coverage afforded under the insurance contract.
Baron is a licensed Property and Casualty agent and he also holds the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation, the Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designation as well as a Master’s In Business Administration (MBA) with a focus in Management from Loyola University.
Ben Lerew
Account Manager, Broker Solutions & Employee Benefits
Ben Lerew
Ben serves as an Account Manager in AIA, Alera Group’s Broker Solutions division. He is responsible for quoting, enrollment, submissions, and delivering superior service to our broker clients. Ben is known to be a creative, collaborative, and a flexible team-player
Ben’s 16 years of previous military administrative service brings tremendous value to the AIA, Alera Group team and to our broker clients. His organization, focused attention, and resourcefulness assures that our clients’ expectations will be surpassed.
Outside of work, Ben enjoys spending time with his wife and two young daughters. He also invests in giving back to the community through charitable cycling events such as Ride to Recovery and the Hershey Chocolate Tour for Penn State cancer research. In addition, Ben stills serves our country in the Pennsylvania National Guard.
Ben holds a Resident Producer License in Health, Life, Accident and Fixed Annuities.
Beth Boger
Human Resources Manager, Small Business Unit
Beth Boger
Beth Boger is the Human Resource Manager for the Small Business Unit at AIA, Alera Group, and holds an MS in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Baltimore. She began her career in the nonprofit sector as a Program Coordinator for a local Mental Health Association and then a hospice agency. She ultimately became an HR department of one for a nonprofit that serves children and adults with special needs, managing everything from onboarding, payroll, and benefits administration, stay and exit interviews, unemployment and workers comp issues, and employee engagement and discipline. She is passionate about improving the employee experience and encouraging employers and employees to remain connected and communicative throughout the employment life cycle. Her role at the SBU is to be a guide and trainer for small businesses that do not have a designated HR person.
Beth’s favorite role is as a wife and mother to two sons, two bonus daughters, and three dogs. When she isn’t spending time with them, you may find her on a stage or in a recording studio. She performs and records under her former name, Beth McDonald.
Beth Cook
Account Manager
Beth Cook
Beth arrived at AIA, Alera Group with the acquisition of Trilogy Group Benefits. She is an Account Manager working primarily with the small group market to facilitate annual renewals and also provide assistance with COBRA services. Beth has an extensive administrative background with a focus on human resources and customer service. She strives to deliver excellent customer service in a timely manner to ensure client satisfaction.
In her spare time, Beth is an enthusiastic fan of the Green Bay Packers and enjoys spending time with family, friends and her Pitbull rescue, Cooper.
Bill Straw
Senior Vice President, Employee Benefits
Bill Straw
Bill Straw is a Senior Vice President at AIA, Alera Group where he serves as an executive consultant on large employer clients and participates with the new business development team bringing AIA, Alera Group’s unique GameChanger portfolio to self-funded employers. Bill combines his long-standing business experience with a passion for people. Previously, Bill spent 23 years with Highmark in various actuarial and underwriting roles with a unique focus on client consulting and providing client facing support to the sales team.
As a graduate of Penn State University with a degree in actuarial science, Bill also holds his Fellowship in the Society of Actuaries (FSA) designation, along with a state of Pennsylvania producer license for accident and health, a member of the American Academy of Actuaries, and Health Rosetta Associate Advisor Certification.
Besides enjoying his career, Bill lives in Bethel, PA with his wife and two sons and has served as Chairman of the Bethel Township Planning Commission since 2013.
Bob Pease Jr
Medicare & Individual Consultant
Bob Pease Jr
Bob is a certified Medicare consultant at AIA, Alera Group. With more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, Bob understands the value an agent can be to the client.
As we age, quality healthcare is more important than ever. Making insurance coverage decisions while planning for your retirement or if you continue to work after you become eligible for Medicare can be overwhelming.
Understanding your Medicare options can be confusing if you do it on your own. Bob can help you understand your options, how and when to enroll, and what plans best fit your individual situation.
He takes an educational approach when meeting with you as you are considering your Medicare options. He has found that explaining Medicare and the various options in an engaging and informal setting shows a person that Medicare is not as overwhelming as it may appear. He will analyze your situation and needs and together develop an insurance plan that fits your lifestyle.
In his spare time, he and his wife Sue enjoy fishing, hiking, and golf. They reside in Dillsburg, PA.
Brady Catherine Barrick
Client Support Specialist, Employee Benefits
Brenda Acker
Accounting Manager
Brenda Acker
Brenda is the Accounting Manager for AIA, Alera Group and the HR Manager for our Property & Casualty division. Prior to her joining our team in 2013, she was the VP of Operations and HR Manager in the insurance division of a well-known bank. Her knowledge, professionalism, and keen attention to detail lends to a positive client and employee experience.
Brenda received her Management certification from Messiah College. When she is not working, Brenda enjoys spending time with her family and friends and is an avid golfer.
Caitlin Kirk
Plan Administrator, Employee Benefits
Caitlin Kirk
Caitie Kirk is a Plan Administrator with Benefit Design Specialists/AIA, Alera Group, where she provides support to her team by researching and resolving claim issues related to employee benefits.
She enjoys problem-solving and believes that patience and persistence are two key factors involved in what makes her successful.
Caitie has a strong background in the medical field having worked in various roles with several different specialty providers. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening and spending time with her dog.
Carlos Solis
Associate Implementation Analyst
Carlos Solis
Carlos is an Associate Implementation Analyst at AIA, Alera Group, where he provides administrative support related to the implementation of client benefit technology.
Carlos lives by two phrases that he has applied to everything he does in life.
“In order to succeed, we must be able to take every experience good or bad, and use it as a learning opportunity, as it will help us become better versions of ourselves tomorrow.”
“Success is not measured by what you have accomplished, but rather by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.”
Carlos has a wealth of experience working in the healthcare and insurance sectors, primarily on the provider end. Carlos has more than ten years of expertise in customer service, and he has a deep understanding knowledge of medical and dental claims.
When outside of work, Carlos enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to concerts, and trying new experiences. Also, he is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Chas Rowzer
Director of Broker Services
Chas Rowzer
Chas Rowzer is a Senior Broker Account Manager at AIA, Alera Group, where she is responsible for servicing and assisting our top broker partners who are dedicated to the group market. Chas delivers extraordinary service, RFP strategy analysis, consultation, and manages carrier policy adherence for our broker partners. She is an expert in the self-funded market and a tremendous resource to our broker partners and consultants.
Chas has spent her entire professional career working in various positions in the health care market. For the majority of her career she worked for a local third-party administrator, as an account executive, servicing both small and large employer groups sold by brokers and consultants.
Chas is a licensed Life, Accident and Health agent and is currently pursuing her designation for Certified Employee Benefit Specialist. Chas also has an Associate’s Degree as a paralegal.
Cheri Long
Associate Implementation Analyst
Cheri Long
Cheri is an Associate Implementation Analyst at AIA, Alera Group, where she is responsible for providing administrative support related to the implementation of client benefit technology. She is well-versed in human resources procedures, data entry, and administrative client support.
Cheri has additional experience in the healthcare industry working in third-party patient financial services and as a claims follow-up specialist. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Health Information Technology and a PA Accident & Health, Life & Fixed Annuities license.
Chris Cox
Senior SBU Account Manager, Property & Casualty
Chris Cox
Chris is a Senior Small Business Account Manager at AIA, Alera Group, where she is responsible for assisting the Producers and servicing Small Business Clients in the Property & Casualty division. Chris is reliable and consistent, delivering high-quality service to her customers. She listens, identifies, and responds quickly and effectively to her customers’ needs.
Chris has spent her entire professional career of 40+ years in the property & casualty insurance industry. She first started working for several large insurance carriers such as INA, CIGNA, Aetna, and Travelers in various capacities before coming to AIA, Alera Group in 1998.
Chris is a licensed Property and Casualty Agent in Pennsylvania and has her Certified Insurance Service Representative designation.
Chris Wert
Managing Partner
Chris Wert
Chris is a Producer and Senior Account Executive for AIA, Alera Group as a specialist in Risk Management and Property & Casualty insurance. In this role, he works closely with business owners and non-profit leaders to create and operate sustainable risk management and insurance programs. Working with clients of all sizes and classes, Chris is able to incorporate best practices from multiple industry segments for the benefit of his customers.
Chris joined AIA, Alera Group as a Producer in 2011. Prior to coming to the agency he worked for Penn National Insurance as a Commercial Underwriter. This experience allows Chris to provide unique insight to his customers as to how insurance carriers process, analyze, evaluate, and compete for an organization’s insurance work. By anticipating carrier concerns and working with both carrier and customer to partner with one another for a common goal, he has come up with creative solutions for difficult and complex placements.
Chris earned his B.S. in Marketing from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business and holds the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation as well as an Associate in Risk Management with a Focus on Enterprise Risk Management (ARM-E).
In his free time Chris enjoys spending time with his fiancé Laura, is an avid skier, a devoted Penn State Football and Wrestling Fan, as well as a (very) novice but enthusiastic fly-fisherman.
Chrissy Heisey
Account Manager, Property & Casualty
Chrissy Heisey
Christina is an Account Manager in AIA, Alera Group’s Property & Casualty division who helps assist with the daily operations in the Bond department.
She believes in working hard, dedication, and teamwork to make daily operations flawless and enjoyable.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, the outdoors a good round of golf, and spending time with her husband, daughter, family, and friends.
Danielle Pelletier
Director of Marketing
Danielle Pelletier
Danielle is our Director of Marketing, and actively supports our company’s growth and branding efforts by collaborating across all divisions at AIA, Alera Group. Danielle is creative, organized, serving, and adds a personal touch to all she does. She has served in several business development and marketing roles since 2009 which has added to the tremendous value she brings to our team.
Danielle holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, (major in Marketing and minor in Economics) from Susquehanna University and holds a Pennsylvania Insurance Producer License for Life, Accident and Health. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. You will often find Danielle helping others!
Deb Hoffer
Benefits Administration, HR Technical Supervisor
Deb Hoffer
Deb is the Benefits Administration/HR Technical Supervisor at AIA, Alera Group. She is responsible for servicing and assisting our clients, Alera partner clients, and our broker partner clients with benefit administration technology. Deb oversees the day-to-day functions of the Benefits Administration department. She delivers extraordinary service and is knowledgeable with building and maintaining electronic benefit-enrollment platforms, as well as configuring electronic enrollment files that are sent to carriers.
Deb spent part of her professional career working in the collections industry handling bookkeeping and payroll functions. After Deb finished her degree, she decided to pursue a career in the Human Resources field which lead her to her current position in Benefits Administration.
Deb is a licensed Life, Accident and Health agent and holds a BS degree in Business Administration with a Certificate in Human Resources.
Debbie Hanks
Senior Implementation Analyst, Benefits Admin & Technology
Debbie Hanks
Debbie is a Senior Implementation Analyst at AIA, Alera Group, where she provides analysis, configuration, and ongoing management for our benefit enrollment portals. In addition, she establishes and maintains our carrier electronic enrollment files. Debbie has a talent for process flow management and is a valuable internal resource for her department, as well as her clients. Debbie believes that success is in the details.
Prior to joining AIA, Alera Group, Debbie worked in the accounting industry, where her enthusiasm for accuracy provided her opportunities in managing A/P, A/R, collections, and payroll.
Debbie is a licensed Life, Accident and Health agent and studied Communications at Harrisburg Area Community College.
Debra Somma, CISR
Account Manager, Large Commercial Accounts
Debra Somma, CISR
Debbie joined HMK in November 2021 as a Large Commercial Lines Account Executive and brought with her 34 years of insurance experience. She has been licensed insurance agent since 1993 and received her CISR designation in 1995. Her responsibilities include marketing new and renewal business, handling insured’s policy changes, assisting with audits, compiling client information for their renewal reviews to the agent, and servicing the day-to day client needs. She enjoys speaking to her insured’s so she can become more acclimated with their business, and be more familiar with their daily operations, as she believes this builds a stronger client / agent relationship. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends and kayaking whenever she has the chance.
Di Bendl
Director of Commissions
Di Bendl
Diane is the Commissions Manager for AIA, Alera Group, where she is responsible for reconciling, auditing, tracking, and paying carrier commissions for our Employee Benefits and Broker Solutions divisions. She has a dedicated commitment and perseverance for finding missing commissions. Diane has found over $175,000 for our Broker partners!
Diane has worked at AIA, Alera Group for over 15 years and currently loves working remotely in Wake Forest, NC.
Diane Barber
Senior Vice President
Diane Barber
Diane brings more than twenty-five years of experience in the health insurance industry. As a Senior Vice President in AIA, Alera Group’s Employee Benefits division, she is responsible for positively impacting the benefit programs offered by Central Pennsylvania companies with 2 – 99 employees. The acquisition of Diane’s insurance agency, Capital Region Benefits, by AIA, Alera Group in 2019 brings COBRA administrative services, health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) administration and a national voluntary or non-contributory vision program to all Alera entities and the clients they serve.
Diane has a long, successful record of guiding employers and their employees through the complex and often changing group health environment. Her strengths include thorough knowledge of the health care industry, specific understanding of the needs of small employers and the ability to communicate effectively within all levels of an organization.
Diane’s prior experience includes Owner of Capital Region Benefits, benefit consultant with a local general agency and senior account manager for a dental insurance carrier. Diane is a graduate of Penn State, served six years in the United States Army, and enjoys running, biking and quilting.
Diane holds a Resident Producer License in Life, Accident and Health and Property and Casualty.
Elizabeth Bushey
Account Manager, Employee Benefits
Elizabeth Bushey
Elizabeth is an Account Manager at AIA, Alera Group in our Employee Benefits division. She assists broker partners and clients through processing renewal changes, proposal delivery, and efficient issue resolution.
She brings several years of experience in customer service and account management to AIA which have equipped her with the skills to generate positive results with her clients and the company. Elizabeth has worked with a variety of industries and enjoys the process of understanding a business’s unique operations and values. She translates what she learns into solutions that create confidence in their programs. In a coordinated effort with her clients, she provides the guidance needed to select the best solutions available to support long-term success.
Evan Katz III
Account Manager, Broker Solutions
Evan Katz III
Evan is a Broker Account Manager at AIA, Alera Group, where he is responsible for servicing and assisting our broker partners who are dedicated to the group market. Evan delivers extraordinary service, RFP strategy analysis, consultation, and manages carrier policy adherence for our broker partners. He is an expert in the Small Group market as well as the Ancillary Vision market and a tremendous resource to our broker partners and consultants.
Evan has joined our team after working in various positions for at a large Medical Carrier. For the majority of his career he worked in Vision Sales and Service, Small Group Medical Sales and Service, Marketing, and Underwriting. He has experience serving both small and large employer groups as well as broker partners.
Evan is a licensed Life, Accident and Health agent and has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Secondary Education. He enjoys time spent with his family and enjoys cricket, skiing and sports car racing.
Fran Sierotowicz
Loss Control Manager, Property & Casualty
Fran Sierotowicz
Fran is the Director of Loss Control/Risk Management Consultant within AIA, Alera Group, where she focuses on helping organizations to effectively evaluate the risk and cost of their insurance programs, in particular the workers’ compensation program. She focuses on the communication of cost-effective compliance and loss-cost reduction programs. Fran works with a variety of stakeholders in organizations – including financial, operational, human resources, training and other executives and employees in delivering results.
Fran’s work involves assisting clients to develop formal safety programs, safety culture improvement, ergonomic evaluations and strategies, health and safety training, safety program auditing, and fleet management services. Collectively, her work helps clients achieve sustainable results in all casualty risk areas.
Fran has spent her entire professional career working in the safety & health and risk management field. The majority of her career has been spent working in the risk management segment of the insurance industry. Her time away from insurance was spent in Hands-on Safety Management Practice for a governmental entity and a manufacturing business.
Fran has a Master’s Degree in Safety Management from West Virginia University; an Associate’s Degree in both Risk Management and Loss Control Management from the Insurance Institute of America; and she is a Certified Fire Protection Specialist from the NFPA. Fran is a State of PA Certified Trainer and an Authorized OSHA Instructor.
Gene Fritz
Senior Account Executive, Property & Casualty
Gene Fritz
Gene is a Senior Account Executive in AIA, Alera Group’s Property & Casualty division. He was a co-founding partner of AIA, Alera group in 1987 and has been instrumental in its success over the years. Today he spends his time primarily serving his clients directly. Gene has an undying commitment to his clients and they trust his deep knowledge and genuineness—in turn, he has built and earned long-time relationships in the community.
Gene has spent 50 years in the insurance industry and is licensed in over 20 states (P&C, Health & Life). He holds a BA in Marketing & Economics from St. Frances University. When he is not working you may find him appreciating a glass of red and a cigar, golfing, or enjoying the company of Darleen, his wife of over 50 years.
Gene Nosovitch
Commercial Insurance Consultant
Glenda Leister
Client Support Specialist, Employee Benefits
Gretchen Day
VP of Health Innovation & Advanced Strategies
Gretchen Day
Gretchen leads our DiscoverHealth® department in the Employee Benefits division of AIA, Alera Group. She provides support to client’s in their cost containment, population health management and well-being initiatives. Gretchen believes that employers hold the key to improving healthcare and the health of their employees and is passionate about bringing forth solutions to enhance the overall health and well-being of employees.
Gretchen holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Delaware and a Master of Public Health degree from Pennsylvania State University with a focus in Health Systems Organization and Policy. Gretchen is certified as a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) and holds a Pennsylvania Insurance Producer License for Life, Accident and Health, as well as, a certification in Critical Outcomes Report Analysis from the Intel / GE Care Innovations Validation Institute. Gretchen joined the AIA team in 2014.
Haley Striewig
Administrative Support, Property & Casualty
Haley Striewig
Haley serves in AIA, Alera Group’s Property & Casualty division, providing much needed administrative support. Creating and managing databases, typing bonds, and helping to prepare policies for clients are just some of her daily tasks. You will often find Haley smiling and asking how she can be of help.
Prior to joining our team, Haley worked with the Striewig Bonding Agency which merged with AIA, Alera Group in 2017. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends, reading, and fostering cats for Castaway Critters.
Hayley Shaffer
Director of Insurance and Risk Solutions
Hayley Shaffer
Hayley joined AIA, Alera Group in 2013 and serves as a Director of Insurance and Risk Solutions. She works closely with clients to deliver consultative services on both existing and new opportunities. Hayley provides daily support and extraordinary coordination of her clients’ ancillary and worksite benefits program including census analysis, opportunity assessments and cost recommendations. She has also developed close relationships with vendor partners on her clients’ behalf to ensure seamless implementation.
Hayley’s passion for detail and organized results, combined with her commitment to managing cases from the initial stage to completion, has made her a valuable team member at AIA, Alera Group. Hayley holds a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degrees from Duquesne University and holds a Pennsylvania Insurance Producer License for Life and Fixed Annuities, Accident and Health. She has over 10 years of experience in the insurance field and is a certified Group Disability Benefits Specialist.
Heather Murphy
Account Manager, Broker Solutions & Employee Benefits
Heather Murphy
Heather serves as an Account Manager in the Employee Benefits division of AIA, Alera Group. She works directly with employers in coordinating new group submissions, annual renewals, monthly billing, and enrollments. Heather’s high level of customer service ensures all employee inquiries are appropriately managed in a timely manner. In addition, Heather manages administrative services for COBRA, Health Reimbursement Arrangements and VBA’s small group program.
Prior to joining AIA, Alera Group, Heather was an account manager with Capital Region Benefits, which was recently acquired by AIA, Alera Group.
Heather is a licensed Life, Accident and Health agent. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children and is a volunteer with a local veteran’s auxiliary.
Heather Savage
Benefits Coordinator, Benefits Administration
Heather Savage
Heather Savage joined AIA, Alera Group as a Benefits Coordinator in 2021. She strongly believes that employees are the glue that holds any company together, and that it is essential to provide for the health and wellness of those employees.
Heather brings several years of hands-on experience with employee benefits from previous administrative work in the healthcare industry. In addition, she has served as a Benefits Specialist and an Account Coordinator.
Heather holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University. In her spare time, she enjoys games and puzzles and spending time with family.
Heather Young
Senior COBRA Plan Administrator
Heidi DalPezzo
Account Manager, Employee Benefits
Heidi DalPezzo
Heidi is an Account Manager for AIA, Alera Group’s Employee Benefits division. She works closely with consultants, account coordinators, clients, and carrier representatives to help provide the best possible outcomes for clients. Heidi believes employers should have a dedicated service team to help them easily understand their benefits and explain them clearly to their employees.
Heidi holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling and Human Resource Management from Mansfield University as well as a Resident Producer License in Health, Life, Accident and Fixed Annuities.
Jack Eshelman
Benefits Account Coordinator
Jaclyn Thomas
Broker Account Coordinator
Jaclyn Thomas
Jaclyn Thomas is a Broker Coordinator who works with the Wholesale Department.
Jaclyn strives to make her Broker Managers lives easier in their daily tasks. She takes great pride and enjoyment in helping her co-workers and others.
Jaclyn enjoys learning new things and staying up to date on new policies and ways to accomplish tasks easier and more efficiently.
Jaclyn has an extensive background in Medicare and Medicare Collections and has worked in Customer Service for most of her adult life.
Jaclyn holds a Paralegal Degree in Legal Studies and hopes to finish her bachelor’s degree soon.
In Jaclyn’s spare time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, learning about new things, studying different topics of interest, and being a pet mom!
Jeff Fawver
Senior Benefits Consultant, Small Business Unit
Jeff Fawver
Jeff Fawver is a Senior Benefits Consultant working within the Small Business Unit at AIA, Alera Group, and has learned how to leverage the self-funded/level-funded market to benefit small to mid-sized companies (once only available to large groups). His certification as a Health Rosetta© Advisor and over 15 years of industry experience has helped him lower company’s premiums as much as 50%, while also lowering out-of-pocket costs for their valued employees. He is very passionate about being part of the solution to the current healthcare crisis, and commits himself to being a student of his trade.
Jeff holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies from Liberty University. (2006)
Outside of work Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife & 3 children. God & family are the most important prongs of his life. When not spending time with family or working, he can be found catfishing, BBQing, smoking meats and cheeses, gardening, and working out. He’s a sports enthusiast with the Kansas City Chiefs being his most die-hard following (well before their win streak). Fun fact: In college, Jeff was guarded by the same defender who guarded Lebron James.
Jenn Myers
Associate Implementation Analyst, Benefits Administration
Jenn Myers
aiaJenn is an Associate Implementation Analyst at AIA, Alera Group, where she provides administrative support related to the implementation of client benefit technologies. She is attentive to the needs of others and strives to keep a high standard of accuracy. Jenn holds a Pennsylvania Insurance Producer License in Life and Fixed Annuities, Accident and Health.
Prior to joining Alera Group, she worked in the dental field as an office manager for over 15 years, helping patients with claims and benefits, along with other administrative duties.
A few of Jenn’s favorite activities outside of work are spending time with family and friends, traveling, and gardening. Over the years, she and her husband have worked with various animal rescue groups fostering and rehabilitating many dogs.
Jenni Simmons
Claims Recovery Specialist
Jess Kier
Account Administration Manager, Small Business Unit
Jess Kier
Jessica serves as the Account Administration Manager for the Small Business Unit, where she is responsible for servicing our small group clients and the overall client experience. She is the face and voice to the SBU operation, is quick to troubleshoot any technical issue, and is determined to ensure things are done right. Many of the positive client testimony recorded are received through their direct experience working with Jess. She has held various positions in the insurance and employee benefits field for nearly 20 years, is a licensed Life & Health agent in PA, and holds the aPHR certification in Human Resources.
Jess graduated from Lebanon Valley College in 2003 with a degree in Historical Communications. She currently lives in Wellsville, PA with her husband and 2 boys, and loves to read, cook and garden in her spare time.
Jesse Grubb
Associate Implementation Analyst, Benefits Administration
Jesse Grubb
Jesse is an Associate Implementation Analyst for our Benefits Administration team at AIA, Alera Group. Recognized for his attention to detail and efficiency, Jesse assists his team with client reports and system updates. He previously worked for Dauphin County assisting older adults to obtain supportive services.
Jesse obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Shippensburg University. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and watching movies with his family.
Jim Smith
Senior Account Executive, Personal Lines
Jim Smith
Jim is AIA, Alera Group’s Personal Lines Senior Account Executive, overseeing a team of four people. He has over 30 years of experience of serving individual clients with their personal insurance needs. AIA, Alera Group has a pool of over 30 insurance companies, allowing Jim to design a personal portfolio tailored to each client’s individual insurance needs. Whether it is auto, home, life, valuable items or a personal umbrella policy, Jim’s ability to provide answers and solutions in today’s ever-changing market makes him a sought-out advisor.
Jo Cifarelli
Health Care and Benefits Consultant
Jo Cifarelli
Jo is a Consultant in AIA, Alera Group’s Employee Benefits division. She specializes in health benefit design and strategy for mid-market and large employer groups. Jo believes employee engagement and education in employee health benefits is key to helping employers contain costs.
With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Jo is well-equipped to evaluate, develop, and implement strategies designed to engage employees and control health care costs. She is a known advocate for her clients.
She attended Harrisburg Area Community College and holds a Resident Producer License in Accident and Health, Life and Fixed Annuities.
John Eltringham
Senior Account Executive, Property & Casualty
John Tunney
VP, HR & Benefits Technology Consulting
John Tunney
John is the VP of HR & Benefits Technology Consulting. He 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 heads the CFO advisory services arm that is helping many companies evaluate the right technology solutions for ACA reporting, payroll, benefits administration, and HRIS.
Using his past experience in the area of HR administration and information technology, John supports the review and recommendations of preferred vendors and solutions for HR compliance, payroll, and benefits admin from a CFO perspective. Having also overseen year-end audits of defined contribution plans, pension plans, financial statements, and tax returns (including state and federal), adds to his value for our clients. His experience extends to manufacturing, distribution, online marketing, and software development companies.
John holds a B.A. from Washington & Lee University, a MBA from Loyola University of Maryland, earned a CPA, and is an Elijah Sells recipient.
Julie Cave
Managing Partner, SVP, Employee Benefits, Mid-Atlantic Region
Julie Cave
As Managing Partner, Julie leads our Mechanicsburg-based Alera Group office while also providing oversight for Employee Benefits (EB) across all Mid-Atlantic regional offices. With 15+ years of industry experience, Julie brings unique expertise in HR technology, compliance, PPACA consulting, and small and large group benefits. She excels in fostering strong relationships with regional carriers and vendor partners, ensuring optimal outcomes for Alera Group clients.
As a strategic leader, Julie guides the direction and support of EB services, guaranteeing exceptional solutions for Alera Group Mid-Atlantic clients. Her extensive knowledge and understanding of industry intricacies enable her to navigate compliance requirements and tailor offerings to meet diverse needs. Julie’s ability to foster partnerships enhances the value delivered to clients, ensuring top-notch service in all aspects of Employee Benefits.
Julie Wolf
Director of Well-being
Julie Wolf
Julie is a part of the DiscoverHealth team in the Employee Benefits division of AIA, Alera Group. She has over ten years’ of experience maintaining partnerships and promoting health and wellness services to help clients reduce cost and improve engagement. Julie has a diverse background including government health communications, clinical consulting in the healthcare space, and nutrition solutions. In her current role, she supports clients with their population health strategies and well-being initiatives.
Julie holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Saint Joseph’s University and a master’s degree in Health Promotion Management with a Corporate Wellness focus from American University. Julie is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and has certifications in nutrition education and plant-based nutrition. Outside of work, Julie can be found perusing the aisles at the downtown central market!
Kawoni Richardson
Associate Implementation Analyst
Kawoni Richardson
Kawoni is an Administrative Assistant for our Benefits Administrative team at AIA, Alera Group where she manages client reports and system updates. She is highly skilled, detail-oriented, and an efficient multi-tasker. Kawoni comes from a strong background in data entry, document control systems, and upholding federal government regulations.
Kawoni obtained her Bachelor’s degree at York College of Pennsylvania and looks forward to a long career in the insurance industry.
Kevin Krause
Chief Strategy Officer, Employee Benefits
Kevin Krause
Kevin is a thought leader whose extensive health care experience delivers superior value to clients. In addition to his almost 20-year tenure at AIA, Alera Group, Kevin spent over 20 years in executive-level positions at national health care delivery organizations in both the private and public sectors. Because of his direct experience with the healthcare delivery systems, Kevin has been instrumental in developing Alera Group’s unique consulting and operational approach to the GameChanger portfolio.
Kevin received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The American University in Washington, DC and a Master of Health Services Administration from the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. Kevin holds a Pennsylvania Insurance Producer License for Life, Accident, and Health, is certified by the Care Innovations Validation Institute on population health, and is a Health Rosetta-certified advisor.
Kim Canfield
Benefits Communications Specialist
Kim Canfield
Kim Canfield is a Benefits Communications Specialist who supports our clients with employee education regarding their benefit packages. Kim assists with open enrollment meetings and in creating employee benefit communications materials. She also helps members with their benefit related questions through the AIA Benefit Hotline.
Kim is a former elementary school teacher and holds a Master’s Degree as a Reading Specialist from McDaniel College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from The University of Texas at Austin. She is a licensed producer in PA and MD in lines of Accident and Health, and also Life and Fixed Annuities. She enjoys traveling, physical fitness activities, and spending time with her friends and family.
Kimberly Tyhurst
Senior Account Manager, Property & Casualty
Kimberly Tyhurst
Kim serves as a Senior Account Manager in AIA, Alera Group’s Property & Casualty division. Prior to joining our team in 2019, she managed commercial accounts at a Central PA insurance agency for 6 years. Her past experience includes positions such as Technical Operations Center Supervisor, Telephone Premium Auditor, Premium Audit Analysts, and a Commercial Lines Rater, which further enhances the knowledge she brings to clients.
Kim is known for providing courteous and accurate service to insureds, prospects, underwriters, and insurance carriers. She maintains a current P&C Insurance License, INS 21, 22 & 23 as well as her CISR Designation.
Kristen Pedrick
Senior Account Manager, Property & Casualty
Kristen Pedrick
Kristen is a Senior Account Executive in AIA, Alera Group’s Property & Casualty division. She is directly responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the bond department and works closely with our Account Executives. Kristen handles the domestic and international contract and commercial surety needs between clients and surety companies throughout the United States.
Prior to joining AIA, Alera Group, Kristen worked with the Striewig Bonding Agency which merged with AIA in 2017. She is a dedicated, trusted, and confidential business service provider and is known to go above and beyond for our client needs.
Liam Warren
Account Manager, Employee Benefits
Lori Cook
Plan Administrator, Employee Benefits
Mandy Ivey
Senior Account Manager, Property & Casualty
Mandy Ivey
Mandy is a Middle Market Senior Account Manager in AIA, Alera Group’s Property & Casualty division. She joined our agency in 2018 and provides exceptional service to our Commercial & Construction clients. Mandy is licensed in Property and Casualty Insurance and has twelve years of insurance experience. She has attained her CPIA (Certified Professional Insurance Agent) and CISR (Certified Insurance Service Representative) insurance designations.
Mandy grew up all over the United States and United Kingdom as a military dependent. In her spare time, she can be found spending time with her two teenage children and her pets.
Mandy Yerkey
Senior Operations Account Manager
Mandy Yerkey
Mandy is Senior Operations Account Manager for AIA, Alera Group’s Broker Solutions division. She is responsible for educating our Broker Solution team and our broker partners on carrier processes and guidelines to ensure that all technical and administrative platforms appropriately reflect accurate information. Mandy ensures the on-going training of the division, as well as manages value-added vendor partnerships and communication resources. She is critical to the success of our broker partners and is known to be a trusted and reliable resource.
Prior to joining the AIA, Alera group in 2010, Mandy worked at a local insurance consulting firm where she was responsible for the administrative services area. She supported the insurance carrier relationships and provided high-quality customer service. Mandy is a licensed Life, Accident and Health agent and also has a Paralegal Certificate.
Maria Gray
Personal Lines Senior Account Manager
Maria Gray
Maria is a Personal Lines Senior Account Manager at AIA, Alera Group. She enjoys helping individual clients identify their personal insurance needs and helps ensure they have the right level of coverage for the best cost. Maria also manages renewals for her clients as well as updating policy coverages and policy information. She provides outstanding customer service and is dedicated to providing clients with the utmost attention.
Maria is a licensed Property & Casualty Agent with over 30 years of insurance experience and joined AIA, Alera Group in 1998. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from The Pennsylvania State University. Maria enjoys reading and traveling in her spare time.
Matthew Maurer
Senior Account Executive, Property & Casualty
Matthew Maurer
Matt is a Senior Account Executive in AIA, Alera Group’s Property & Casualty division. He works with business owners and executives to support their organizations by analyzing risks inherent to their operations and making recommendations on how to address those findings.
Matt has worked with a variety of industries and enjoys the process of understanding a business’s unique operations and values. He translates what he learns from his clients into solutions that create confidence in their insurance programs. Matt believes the advice he provides is critical to a business’s viability, saving them from significant financial loss when something unplanned happens. In a coordinated effort with his clients, he provides the guidance needed to select the best solutions available to support long-term success.
Matt has his Certified Insurance Counselor designation, received the Insurance Alliance Network’s Producer of the Year Award in 2015, and The PMA Insurance Company’s Horizon Award Winner in 2009. Matt holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from West Chester University. When he’s not working, Matt enjoys playing golf and spending time with his wife, Catherine, and his Children – Ethan, Chase and Leah.
Michael Bryan
Health Care and Benefits Consultant
Michael Bryan
Michael Bryan is a Health Care and Benefits Consultant at AIA, Alera Group and mainly works with businesses in the small group and mid-market segments. Michael believes that the education and engagement of the employees will help them, and their employers manage costs.
Michael is passionate about providing excellent and timely service with support for each of his clients and their employees. He is also available for the employee dependents. His passion for customer service comes from his many years working in the retail industry.
Michael is a licensed Accident and Health, Life and Fixed Annuities agent. When not at work he enjoys spending time outside with his wife and three adult sons.
Michele Klump, CIC
Account Manager, Large Commercial Accounts
Michele Klump, CIC
Michele joined HMK in March of 2014 as a Large Commercial Account Executive and brought with her 28 years of insurance agency experience. She has been a licensed insurance agent since 1987 and received her CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designation in 2002. Her responsibilities include being the main point of contact for clients regarding any questions, processing changes in coverage to their current program, marketing of new and renewal business, processing of insurance proposals, developing exposure basis history and loss history analysis, review of policies and endorsements for accuracy, claims support and establishing relationships with the insurance carriers.
Michelle Barnett
Implementation Analyst, Benefits Administration
Michelle Barnett
Michelle Barnett joined AIA, Alera Group as a Senior Benefits Coordinator in 2021.
Prior to joining our Benefits & Technology division, Michelle worked in County Government obtaining experience in Fiscal management and Human Resources; to include employee onboarding and benefits administration.
Michelle has participated in various trainings available by The Society of County Human Resources Professionals of Pennsylvania (SCHRPP) and County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP)
Michelle holds an Associates in the Science of Accounting from Southern New Hampshire University. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family.
Michelle Weishaar
Senior Account Manager, Property & Casualty
Michelle Weishaar
Michelle provides Senior Account Management service and support to our Middle Market clients. She joined our agency in August 2021 and her primary goal is to provide exceptional customer service to her clients.
She is a seasoned Account Manager with over 25 years of experience in multiple diverse roles prior to joining our Agency. She has held her CISR (Certified Customer Service Representative) designation for over 20 years and looks forward to obtaining her CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) in the future.
In her spare time, she can be found camping and enjoying the outdoors with her family.
Monica Simonsen
Personal Lines Account Manager
Monica Simonsen
Monica is a Personal Lines Account Manager with AIA, Alera Group’s Property & Casualty division. She has over a decade of experience working with both captive and independent agencies. She brings a well-rounded approach to uncovering her clients’ needs and is passionate about making insurance “user-friendly”. Monica takes pride in being her clients’ coverage expert. She is licensed in Property and Casualty insurance and is working towards her CISR designation.
Nancy Calcara
Personal Lines Senior Account Manager
Nancy Calcara
Nancy is a Personal Lines Senior Account Manager at AIA, Alera Group with over 25 years in the insurance industry. She is an experienced insurance advisor for individuals focusing on asset protection for home, auto, watercraft, recreation vehicles, and umbrella policies.
Nancy is dedicated to providing superior service to both current and new clients. AIA, Alera Group’s ability to access multiple markets allows her to provide the best possible coverage for a competitive premium.
Throughout her insurance career, Nancy has held positions in commercial lines, liability claims, and personal lines offering a well-rounded approach for our customers. She holds a BS degree in Business Administration from Elizabethtown College and is a licensed producer in property and casualty insurance as well as accident and health, life, and annuities.
Nancy Glicksman
Medicare and Individual Benefits Consultant
Nancy Glicksman
Nancy joined Alera Group in January 2023. Her main focus is on growing and supporting Medicare and Individual clients. Prior to joining Alera, Nancy was founder and owner of Blue Peak Insurance, an independent insurance agency offering a complete line of health, life, disability and long-term care products to individuals, families and small groups in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.
She has her master’s degree in clinical social work, which helps her to advocate, support and educate her clients.
Outside of the office, she and her husband, John, enjoy exercising, traveling, and spending time with their three sons and their families.
Nicole Smith
Operations Associate, Broker Solutions & Medicare
Nicole Smith
Nicole is an Operations Account Associate for AIA, Alera Group’s Benefits division. She assists the Broker Solutions team with enrollments, changes, and inquiries. She also provides administrative support and coordination to our Employee Benefits and Medicare Solutions team. Nicole’s ambitious personality and work ethic allows her to consistently give the best quality of service to her teammates and our broker partners.
Nicole previously served a local insurance carrier as a Clinical Care Assistant and then an Enrollment Specialist for Medicare Managed Care. Her experience with customer service, accounting, resolving medical management issues, eligibility verification, and facilitating accurate claims processing has made her an excellent fit for our clients and team.
Nicole is a licensed Life, Accident and Health agent. Her experience is also enhanced by being a registered EFDA (Expanded Function Dental Assistant) and is Radiology Certified.
Patrick Welsh
Senior Account Executive, Property & Casualty
Patti Robinson
Senior Account & Application Support Manager, P&C
Patti Robinson
Patti is the Senior Account Manager in the Property and Casualty Division of AIA, Alera Group. She has been with AIA, Alera Group since it’s inauguration in 1987. She has held various positions and had multiple responsibilities including an Account Manager, where she specialized in the health care industry and continues to provide outstanding customer service to her clients. Patti is also the Property and Casualty Application Support Manager where she is responsible for the implementation, training, and utilization of the agency management system and the additional technology support services for Property & Casualty team members.
Prior to AIA, Alera Group, Patti began her insurance career as an underwriter with a large national carrier in both the Property & Casualty and Bond divisions.
Patti is also active in NetVU, the Network of Vertafore Users, where she participates as a member of the National Chapter Committee, the Sagitta National Education Committee, and is an officer in the local user’s group. Additionally, Patti holds her AU (Associate Underwriter) and NcSA (NetVU Certified Sagitta Administrator) designations. She is also pursuing her Certified Insurance Counselor designation.
Paul Werner
Senior Account Executive, Property & Casualty
Paul Werner
Paul is a Senior Account Executive for AIA, Alera Group’s Property & Casualty division, specializing in mid-market and large accounts. With thirty years of experience in the insurance industry, he has built strong, long-lasting relationships with hundreds of clients. Paul takes pride in understanding the business of each client and enjoys his role as an experienced advisor to some of Central Pennsylvania’s top companies and their executives. Providing risk management solutions that are the best-fitting and specific for each of his client’s needs has helped him become a sought-out insurance advisor.
Paul lives in Lower Paxton Township with his wife Lauri. They have 3 children, Leah, Alec, and Grant. He enjoys spending time with his family, as well as attending sporting events and playing golf.
Rachelle Maddaloni
Director of Technology Solutions
Rachelle Maddaloni
Rachelle joined AIA, Alera Group in 2003 and serves as the Director of Technology Solutions in the Benefits Administration department. She works closely with clients and vendors to identify technology solutions that address their specific business requirements while insuring compliance with federal and state regulations. Rachelle’s responsibilities include identifying fits and gaps in technology platforms versus client requirements; evaluating complex business rules to incorporate new technologies to successfully meet the client’s expectations and goals. Rachelle’s extensive experience in the administration of group insurance programs gives her the ability to incorporate administrative requirements into a technology solution.
Rachelle’s passion for technology solutions, combined with her commitment to resolving client administrative pain points, has made her a valuable team member at AIA, Alera Group. She has over 20 year of experience in the group insurance field, holds a PA Accident and Health, Life and Fixed Annuities license, and is a member of SHRM and Human Resource Professionals of Central PA.
Rhianna Fanning
Commercial Lines Account Manager
Rhianna Fanning
Rhianna provides Account Management Services to our Commercial Lines Department. She started her career as a receptionist at a local insurance agency and quickly transitioned into a Personal Lines Account Manager role. She held various positions over the next 4 years in Personal Lines, and provided support to the Commercial Lines team. Rhianna has successfully completed her QCLS (Qualified Commercial Lines Specialist) designation which will assist her is transitioning into her role as Commercial Lines Account Manager with AIA, Alera Group.
In her spare time, you can find Rhianna soaking up the sun at the beach with her family or at a Washington Nationals game with her husband.
Rob Striewig
Senior Vice President, Property & Casualty
Rob Striewig
Rob is a Senior Vice President in AIA, Alera Group’s Property & Casualty division. He specializes in managing and negotiating the domestic and international contract/commercial surety programs between clients and surety companies throughout the United States. Rob is known as a trusted, professional, and confidential business partner. He is able to provide ongoing strategic advice, working closely with clients and their other advisors.
Rob served as President of the Striewig Bonding Agency for over 30 years prior to joining AIA, Alera Group as one of the principals in 2017. He currently serves as a director on several boards within the industry and also has been involved on several national advisory boards. Rob is a past president of the MBX (Mid-Atlantic Builder’s Exchange) and is currently chairman of the Central PA chapter of CFMA’s (Construction Financial Management Associate) annual scholarship event.
Robin Snyder
Senior SBU Account Manager, Property & Casualty
Robin Snyder
Robin is a Senior Small Business Unit Account Manager at AIA, Alera Group, where she is responsible for servicing and assisting producers and clients in the Property and Casualty division. Robin delivers excellent service and assistance to clients who need their coverages issued, reviewed, or amended. She strives to provide prompt, efficient, effective service and solve her customer’s problems or needs.
Robin has spent her entire career working in the property and casualty insurance field. She spent the first 25 years of her career at Aetna/Travelers Insurance in various underwriting positions before coming to AIA, Alera Group in 2003.
Robin is licensed in the state of PA for Property and Casualty and holds her Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation.
Ryan Grogan
Plan Administrator, Employee Benefits
Ryan Grogan
Ryan joined the BDS, An Alera Group Company team in January of 2023. He graduated from Saint Joseph’s University with a degree in Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Marketing. Prior to joining BDS, An Alera Group Company, Ryan worked in the golf industry, where he helped manage Dauphin Highlands Golf Course for 4 years. As a plan administrator, Ryan will process MERP, HSA, FSA, and debit card claims, as well as assist customers with any issues they run into.
Ryan Myslinski
Health Care and Benefits Consultant
Ryan Myslinski
Ryan is a Health Care and Benefits Consultant at AIA, Alera Group, where he is responsible for managing the overall employee benefit plan strategy and financial performance for large group clients. Ryan supports his clients with exceptional service, striving to meet their group benefit goals through the evaluation and implementation of benefit plan designs, contribution strategies, funding arrangements, cost containment initiatives, wellness strategies, and plan administration resources.
Ryan has over nine years of experience evaluating and managing the financial performance of employee benefit plans. His expertise includes claims analysis, underwriting evaluation, and budget development.
Ryan is a licensed Life, Accident and Health agent and holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Shippensburg University.
Sarah Banducci
Claims Manager, Property & Casualty
Sarah Banducci
Sarah is a Claims Manager at AIA, Alera Group in the Property & Casualty division. She provides daily support to clients by working closely with producers, account managers, and carriers to ensure the timely and proper handling of property and casualty claims. Prior to joining AIA, Alera Group, Sarah worked for many years as a multiline property and casualty claims adjuster giving her a valuable depth of industry knowledge. In addition to these skills, her superior customer service and strong attention to detail have made her a great resource and advocate for our clients.
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Penn State University. She enjoys giving back to her community and is active in the United Way and Central PA Food Bank.
Scott Crout
Actuarial Analyst
Scott Dardick
Medicare Benefits Consultant
Scott Dardick
Scott is a Medicare Benefits Consultant for AIA, Alera Group and has served in this capacity since 2014. Scott is an accomplished professional with over twenty -five years of experience in various sales, marketing, and leadership positions. He has over a decade of experience in insurance, and has been recognized as a sales leader for Medicare products with such companies as Humana, Health America, Geisinger, Capital Blue Cross, Aetna, and Highmark. Scott loves connecting with people and is known to build trusted, long-term client relationships.
He studied Aeronautical Engineering at Embry-Riddle University and attended the University of Maryland for his Business Administration studies and completed a term in the public arena as a Commissioner in East Pennsboro Township.
Shelley Machamer
Account Director, Employee Benefits
Shelley Machamer
Shelley is the Account Director for the Employee Benefits division at AIA, Alera Group, overseeing the Account Management team. She works in tandem with Employee Benefits consultants to provide high-quality service to our clients. In addition to the management of the day-to-day client needs, Shelley serves as the direct link between the Employee Benefits consulting team and our clients’ HR Department. She also works closely with clients on product implementation, vendor management, and assures HR and benefit plan regulatory compliance.
Shelley holds a Pennsylvania Insurance Producer License in Life, Accident and Health along with a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Sierra Kepner
Assistant Account Director, Employee Benefits
Sierra Kepner
Sierra serves as an Assistant Account Director for AIA, Alera Group’s Employee Benefit’s division. In this dual role, she is known to deliver outstanding customer service to our broker partners and clients through processing of new sales paperwork, renewal changes, proposal delivery, and issue resolution. Sierra also provides support to small-group clients and group administrators while assisting the Consultant on the strategic renewal process for these valuable clients.
Sierra believes in a collaborative approach to delivering the highest quality service to all those she interacts with on a daily basis. Her prior experience as a supervisor in the family medical field and a client support specialist in the insurance industry making her an exceptional resource for her clients. Sierra’s experience is further enhanced by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Messiah College and holding a Resident Producer License in Health, Life, Accident and Fixed Annuities.
Sophia Mittan
Account Manager, Employee Benefits
Sophia Mittan
Sophia is an Account Manager for AIA, Alera Group’s Employee Benefits division. Working closely with the account management team, she assists with client renewals, proposals, and day-to-day support in this position. Sophia is recognized for her excellent organizational skills, keen attention to detail, and proficient task accomplishment. She aspires to complete each project accurately and efficiently to ensure her clients receive the best possible outcome and overall experience.
Sophia truly enjoys her work and receives immense satisfaction from helping others resolve and complete what can sometimes be a complicated process. When not devoted to her work, Sophia can be found creating unique pieces of art or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.
Stacey Young
Senior Plan Administrator, Employee Benefits
Stacy Fry
Director of Communications
Stacy Fry
Stacy is the Director of Communications at AIA, Alera Group. With over a decade of healthcare expertise. Stacy’s focus is working with mid to large-sized employers to think differently about the way they approach their benefits strategy and employee expertise. In her role with AIA, Alera Group, she works closely with our marketing department to ensure clients and prospective clients have a top-notch experience with our firm.
Stacy is an active member in the Central PA Community. Stacy currently serves as the President of the Central PA Association of Health Underwriters, is a member of Rotary Club of Harrisburg, and serves on the Human Resources Committee for the United Cerebral Palsy of Central PA Board. She attended Harrisburg Area Community College and holds a Resident Producer License in Health, Life, Accident and Fixed Annuities.
Steve Dardick
Medicare Benefits Consultant
Steve Dardick
Steve is AIA, Alera Group’s Medicare Benefits Consultant and has served in this capacity since 2014. He has been successfully educating and enrolling candidates in Individual Health Products for nineteen years, representing carriers such as AFLAC, Colonial Life, Humana, Aetna, Highmark, Capital Blue Cross, Health America and Geisinger. Steve is passionate about equipping and guiding his customers through the process of selecting the best Medicare plan for their needs. His depth of industry knowledge, not being tied to one carrier, and putting others first has helped him become a sought-ought Medicare advisor.
Prior to the insurance industry, Mr. Dardick had a long career with TRW, Inc. which culminated in his position as General Manager of the Turbine Component plant in Harrisburg, PA. Before his employment with TRW, Inc., Mr. Dardick served as an Officer in the United States Air Force. He holds a BS degree in Industrial Management from Lehigh University and an Executive MBA from Carnegie Mellon University.
Sue Kopcho
Senior Commercial Lines Account Manager
Sue Kopcho
Sue serves as a Senior Commercial Lines Account Manager in AIA, Alera Group’s Property & Casualty division. She works with clients and producers providing support to their daily insurance needs and considers her clients as “friends” rather than customers. Her areas of expertise include Healthcare and Municipality accounts.
Sue’s insurance career began in 1978 working in the claims department for a Workers’ Compensation company in Western PA. She relocated to Central PA in 1982 and switched to the agency side of the business. Since then, she has worked for some of the most prestigious agencies in the Greater Harrisburg area and holds the Certified Insurance Service Representative designation.
In addition to being an account manager, Sue is an active member of the Insurance Professionals of Greater Harrisburg and a diehard Pittsburgh Penguins fan. She currently resides in Mechanicsburg, PA with her husband Mark and enjoys spending time with her two grandchildren.
Tara Schlyfestone
Business Development Manager, Small Business Unit
Tara Schlyfestone
Tara is the Business Development Manager for the Small Business Unit with AIA, Alera Group. In this newly created role, she will use her sales, recruiting, and business development experience to help create an engagement process for SBU prospects and clients to help ensure all services offered by AIA, Alera Group are covered.
She received her B.S. in Human Resource Management from Central Penn College and holds her producer license in Commercial Property and Casualty Insurance.
Volunteering and giving back to her community are very important to Tara. She currently sits on the board of SLK Foundation which is an organization helping children with rare diseases. Tara lives with her daughter Trinity and her dog Cooper. In her free time, she enjoys reading, walking, learning to golf (she has been in the learning stage for quite a while) and watching her daughter ride horses competitively.
Taylor Baldwin
Marketing Manager, Small Business Unit
Taylor Baldwin
Taylor Baldwin is a Marketing Manager who collaborates with the AIA, Alera Group team, and agency partners to present products and offerings to potential clients – specifically small businesses. Taylor knows how difficult owning a small business can be and works hard to share and create the best educational resources. Through webinars and educational series, he strives to make it easy for busy small business owners to learn what insurance and human resources challenges they need to troubleshoot – and directs them to the right Alera Group Small Business Unit team member to solve those problems.
Taylor holds a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Music Business from Lebanon Valley College. Outside of work, he loves spending time with his family and friends and being outside with his dog Finn. His passion for music has always been with him, and he enjoys teaching local high school marching bands as well as performing with the Philadelphia Eagles drumline.
Taylor Rogers
Medicare Account Manager
Teresa Warfield
Account Associate, Broker Solutions & Employee Benefits
Teresa Warfield
Teresa is a Broker Account Manager for AIA, Alera Group’s Broker Solutions division. She is responsible for delivering outstanding customer service to our broker partners through the processing of submissions, renewals, quotations, and service issue resolutions.
Teresa’s robust background and numerous years of experience working within the healthcare insurance industry brings a valuable level of strength to her role. Highlights of her career path include developing marketing strategies and plans for brokers, contracting brokers for various carriers across the US, and developing internal training programs for the professional development of employees.
Teresa holds her PA license in Accident, Health and Life and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from York College. At home, she is a full-time Mom and volunteers for the Girl Scouts service unit in Hershey.
Tim Flood
Senior Account Executive, Property & Casualty
Tim Flood
Tim is a Senior Account Executive for AIA, Alera Group’s Property & Casualty division. He has a passion for working with business owners and truly believes in building strong relationships and long-term partnerships with his clients. Tim has helped Central PA business owners for over 10 years. He takes pride in making sure his clients are protected properly and also their business succession needs are taken care of.
Tim has his Marketing and Management degree from Shippensburg University and also holds a Life Underwriter Council Fellow designation. Outside of work Tim enjoys time with his wife, two young children, and church. His hobbies include time at the lake, traveling, going out to eat, trying new breweries, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Toby Breon
Senior Account Executive, Property & Casualty
Toby Breon
Toby is a Senior Account Executive for AIA, Alera Group’s Property & Casualty division and has served in the industry since 1988. He specializes in long-term health care (nursing homes, personal care homes, assisted living, and CCRCs), government entities, municipalities, non-profit organizations, and service sector businesses. Toby provides extra value to his clients through expert analysis of risks and exposures that financially impact organizations along with well-developed strategies that will minimize the impact of unexpected losses. He is passionate about the success of his clients and they see him as a valuable business partner.
Toby obtained the professional designation as a Certified Insurance Counselor from the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors in 2001. His expertise includes products such as directors and officer’s liability, professional liability, employment practices liability, cyber liability, general liability, property, auto, crime, and worker’s compensation.
Toby Putt
Executive Health Care and Benefits Consultant
Toby Putt
Toby joined AIA, Alera Group in 2004 and serves as a Senior Consultant in our Employee Benefits division. He provides strategic health and welfare plan management and consulting for some of our larger employer clients. Toby’s responsibilities include developing customized, strategic healthcare plans and provides ongoing analysis and review to successfully meet the client’s expectations and goals. Toby is known for his focus on maintaining a high-level of personalized customer service.
Toby holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management & Insurance and Finance from Temple University as well as a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Saint Joseph’s University.
Outside of work Toby enjoys golfing and spending time with his family. You will often find him cheering on his daughters at their soccer and basketball games. One of their favorite places to visit is Anna Maria Island, Florida.
Travis Mawhinney
Associate Consultant, Employee Benefits
Travis Mawhinney
Travis is an Associate Health Care and Benefits Consultant at AIA, Alera Group in our Employee Benefits division. He provides strategic planning for employee benefit plans and financial performances of his clients. Additionally, he works with his clients to develop contribution strategies, cost containment solutions, wellness initiatives, funding arrangement assessment, analyze plan designs, and provide excellent and personable customer service.
Prior to AIA, Alera Group, Travis supported UPS as an industrial engineer and developed many resourceful and analytical skills to help with his current pursuit of becoming an actuary. Travis is currently working toward being an Associate in the Society of Actuaries (ASA) in years to come. Travis also holds a Pennsylvania Insurance Producer License for Life, Accident and Health.
Travis holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Shippensburg University and is originally from the Washington D.C. Metro Area. Outside of work, you can find Travis enjoying both watching and playing soccer, snowboarding during the winter, or traveling at all times of the year.
Tyler Gray
VP of Benefit Analytics
Tyler Gray
Tyler joined AIA, Alera Group in 2014 and serves as a Senior Benefits Analyst. Having spent the beginning portion of his professional career working for a highly-respected actuarial consulting firm, Tyler is able to bring a rare variety of analytical skill sets that are utilized throughout our Employee Benefits division.
He is responsible for the coordination of the financial modeling and reporting throughout our proprietary portfolio of data analytics. The responsibilities include utilization of our actuarial database to validate cost projections, budget forecasting and reconciliation, and detailed analysis of all medical and pharmaceutical claims utilization associated with client deliverables.
Tyler holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Actuarial Science from Albany University and holds a Pennsylvania Insurance Producer License for Life, Accident and Health. Tyler has also achieved four examination credits toward the distinguished honor of an Associate in The Society of Actuaries (ASA).
Tyler Hollinger
Plan Administrator, Employee Benefits
Wendy Warren
Account Coordinator, Employee Benefits
Wendy Warren
Wendy, a native of Binghamton, NY, has lived in the Harrisburg, PA area for over 20 years. Her background consists of patient care, medical billing, customer service and human resources. She loves helping others and isn’t afraid to go the extra mile. Wendy has two college age children, Victoria and Nigel.