In a town with a robust business district and booming downtown scene, it’s a unique opportunity to learn a little about the enterprises that add so much to our community. One such business is Strategic Group Benefits. Since joining the family business in June 2002, longtime Fairfield resident, Jeff Alper has led the growth of his employee benefits agency while always maintaining a close tie to the town he calls home. Jeff’s focus on connection has rippled into the relationships he’s created between his team, whom he credits as the backbone of his business — and the personal attention he’s known for among his clients.
Q: Can you give us a little overview of your company.
Strategic Group Benefits was established in November 2000 in Fairfield, CT by my parents Allan and Helaine Alper. What began as a family business, providing employee benefits to a few dozen clients has now flourished into a thriving employee benefits agency representing over 200 clients nationally with their employee benefits offering.
Q: Who is your typical client and what is your business’s specialty?
Our focus is working with small to mid-size companies nationally, canvassing all industries, with 5 to 300 full-time employees. We represent all regional and national insurance carriers offering group employee benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life and disability.
Q: What makes your approach stand out from other competitors?
Our daily mission is to service our clients with a “white glove, boutique” approach. We are dedicated to assisting our clients with all of their day-to-day employee benefit needs. We encourage clients to utilize their dedicated Senior Account Manager to assist with inquires such as enrollments, terminations, billing, ID cards, Cobra and so much more. Providing our clients, employees and dependents with high-level support has been the foundation since our inception. In addition to our dedicated team, the value-added services we implement to help our clients with HR, benefit compliance and administration sets us apart from the competition.
Q: What is your connection to Fairfield and the community?
My business and residence are both located in Fairfield. My wife and I have lived in Fairfield since 2013. Our daughters attend school and participate in some of the many activities Fairfield has to offer. We love eating downtown, in Black Rock and Greenfield Center restaurants. As a Fairfield business owner, it’s important to me to promote and support other businesses in town. I love to run throughout Fairfield’s different neighborhoods. There is nothing better than running by the beach area on a quiet morning, as the sun is rising. My agency and team supports local events and organizations such as the Fairfield Police 5K Sunset Run and we donate food to Operation Hope throughout the year. We also look to help students attending Fairfield University and Sacred Heart with valuable internships.
Q: Any important advice or easy tips for small businesses looking to provide employee benefit solutions?
A: First, determine what sets you apart from your competition. Offering benefits can ensure you are viewed as an employer providing a competitive benefits package to help attract and retain talent. Learn what is important to your employees and their needs around benefits. Be sure to clearly communicate to your employees the details of your benefits offering which will help them understand and appreciate what you’re providing to them and their dependents. Remember to review and modify your benefits annually to accommodate the changes of your employees and business.
Q: What aspect of your career is the most rewarding?
I love what I do and there are several aspects about my work I find rewarding. The relationships that have been built with our clients is most notable and immensely fulfilling. Being able to help a client with their employee benefit “pain points” and watching the relationship grow over many years together is truly gratifying. The clients that we earned in the early 2000s are still clients today which is the true measure of our unique approach, dedication and hard work by all team members.
Sidebar:
Jeff cite’s the knowledge and expertise of his team as the foundation of Strategic Group Benefit’s success.
Meet the Team!
Jeffrey Alper - As SGB’s Principal owner, Jeff is responsible for leading the agency and growing client relationships.
Millie Gordon, Laura Sweeney and Jaimy Fellin are the agency’s Senior Account Managers. This talented group assists clients, employees and dependents with their day-to-day inquiries, challenges and requests.
Chris Kenefick and Jaimy Fellin; Senior Benefit Consultants, collaborate to manage the annual renewals and marketing to in-force clients and employees.
Ashley Vaz, Operations & Compliance Manager, oversees all internal operations, external carrier partners and processes within the agency.
