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Dottie Allen, Principal and FounderEvery great business decision starts with a question, and for The RiverCross Group, it was this: Can small and mid-sized companies design benefits that truly protect their people while supporting long-term growth?
Dottie Allen, Principal and Founder, is at the helm. With over 30 years in the insurance industry and more than 20 years specializing in employee benefits, Allen co-founded The RiverCross Group (originally RiverCross Partners) and continues to lead with a vision that transcends policies and paperwork.
Dottie imagined a consulting firm as a true ally to business owners, one that aligns insurance strategy with company goals, simplifies complexities, and delivers benefits that make employees feel valued, not just covered.
The firm specializes in employee benefits, Key Person insurance, and retirement planning, especially for organizations with decentralized or field-based workforces, such as those in the construction industry, which grapple with long hours, talent scarcity, and tight cost controls. The RiverCross crafts benefits programs that reduce administrative burden, boost retention, and solve real-world challenges.
We don’t just manage benefits; we rewrite the rules, so business owners regain control, employees feel seen, and insurance becomes a tool, not a burden
The team advocates for self-funded plan options, leverages HR technology to streamline processes, and implements proactive strategies that prepare businesses for growth, acquisitions, or talent retention. Partnering with reputable providers, The RiverCross delivers more than insurance; it drives clarity, communication, and trust-based, long-term relationships. Aligning solutions with immediate needs and future goals ensures clients have the support, tools, and confidence to navigate an ever-changing business and workforce landscape.
Fixing the Insurance Puzzle
With the ever-changing landscape of regulations, such as those introduced by the Affordable Care Act, companies face numerous challenges in providing adequate employee benefits. The agency recently shifted its focus to self-funded plans, allowing employers to regain control over their healthcare spending. This approach enables businesses to explore alternative options and manage costs effectively, rather than relying solely on traditional insurance providers.
“We don’t just manage benefits; we rewrite the rules, so business owners regain control, employees feel seen, and insurance becomes a tool, not a burden,” says Dottie Allen, Principal and Founder of The RiverCross Group.
By educating business owners about these self-funded health plans, the agency empowers them to make informed decisions that can lead to significant savings, sometimes reducing costs by 25 to 30 percent while improving benefits.
Communication is another area that sets the company apart. Recognizing that many employees work remotely or in the field, the company uses text messaging and email to ensure everyone receives important information about benefits and open enrollment. For example, The RiverCross Group helped a 50-person company transition from paper enrollment to a digital system, reducing the administrative burden on HR and making it easier for employees to access its benefits. The company also creates employee guides and offers on-site enrollment support so employees can get their questions answered directly.
The Human Side of Insurance
The RiverCross Group goes beyond insurance, providing deep consultation to understand each client’s workforce, goals, and pain points. This insight allows the firm to design self-funded plans and HR tech solutions that cut administrative overhead, freeing business owners to focus on growth.
Regular pre-renewal checks ensure benefit plans remain effective and adaptable, particularly during mergers or acquisitions. With a highly personalized approach, the company assesses workforce demographics and employer priorities to create cost-effective, competitive benefits programs that help smaller businesses attract and retain talent.
Combining decades of expertise with a client-first mindset, The RiverCross Group delivers tailored solutions in employee benefits, self-funded plans, key person insurance, retirement planning, and HR tools. It simplifies complexities while driving long-term value for employers and employees.
