Meet Our Team

Lacie Harmon has been helping employees plan for successful retirements since 2004. She has a deep and extensive knowledge of federal benefits and retirement, and is a contributor to Expert's View in "FedWeek". She teaches classes regularly for federal agencies and unions, including the FAA, GAO, APWU and NALC.

She loves math and is happiest in front of a calculator, helping employees face retirement decisions head-on, and putting them in the financial drivers' seats of their lives and retirements.

William Merecki is a Benefit Specialist and founder of The Federal Benefits Group, providing federal employees information regarding their unique benefits. In Bill’s eight years working exclusively with federal and postal employees, there was often little support from OPM and Shared Services. Recognizing a need and knowing clients can save time and money when navigating the federal retirement process, Bill has been honored to assist federal employees with understanding their benefits and developing a strategy that allows them to retire with ease.

He has an Accounting degree from Central Michigan University and uses his proficiency with numbers and years of retirement planning experience to serve federal employees in the Midwest region to achieve the retirement of their dreams.

He spends quality time traveling with his wife, Shawna, and son, Jameson, as well as cooking on his BBQ smoker, playing poker or Euchre, and watching and playing sports.

A Federal Benefits Consultant with The Federal Benefits Group, Angelo Berretta brings expertise in insurance, retirement income, and estate and elder planning. He is passionate about providing financial education and has led seminars in the tri-state area on various retirement-related topics.

A member of several financial planning organizations as well as local community groups, Angelo provides relevant retirement planning solutions and remains committed to serving federal employees in achieving their financial goals.

Since 1982, Angelo has been a resident of Mercer County, NJ and currently lives with his family in Hopewell Township.

Dana Hampton received a degree from Baker College in Business Management and Administration. She has over 10 years’ experience working in Human Resources, specializing in Group Benefits. Throughout her career she has worked with both Union and Non-Union employees. She is a licensed Insurance agent specializing in life, disability, and financial services and products. Dana is also a Michigan Notary Public, bonded and insured.

She has 3 kids, a dog and hamster. In her spare time, Dana is helping her children with schoolwork, attending their sports games, and working on her garden.

Shawna Merecki graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism in 2006. She is married to William Merecki, founder of the Federal Benefits Group and mother to their only child, Jameson. After college, Shawna spent time working in Graphic Design, her true passion and expertise, and then spent several years at a local Credit Union handling financial transactions. Once Jameson was born, she initially dedicated her life to being a stay-at-home mother. When the FBG was founded in 2018, she helped created the original brand for the company and now manages the company’s administration team as well as graphics and marketing.

In her spare time, Shawna enjoys playing Lego with her son and husband, going outdoors and creating fiber art which she promotes on social media.

Chuck Thornton CLU, ChFC has been in the financial services business for more than 30 years. He works with individuals of al ages helping them solve their financial needs. Chuck's sole purpose is to provide his clients with the best solutions available in the financial industry with a focus on relationships and service.

Chuck has stayed on top of his field and developed professional skills by attending industry training and certification programs. These include competing and training the curriculum and passing rigorous exams for: Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial

Consultant (ChFC). Chuck has also earned his bachelor and master's degrees in business administration.