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.

The Strauss-Dunahay Insurance company has been serving Michigan for over 40 years with their home, auto and commercial insurance needs. Their top priority is helping customers find the best coverage in order to protect what matters most in life. As an independent agency, they work with a wide variety of top carriers to help you find the best coverage to suit your exact situation. They work hard find the perfect policy to give you peace of mind without breaking the bank.

Ryan Burmeister comes from a long line of financial advisors. He prides himself on working with a fiduciary mindset and continues to be in the pursuit of knowledge so he may best serve his clients. It is his longstanding goal to help clients realize their financial potential and retirement dreams. With many years’ experience and incredible mentors he has established a reputation for always putting his clients first. Outside of his professional career, Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons as well has their Husky, Willow.  He is an avid golfer and an amateur triathlete and marathon runner. With the same determination and mindset needed to complete Iron man triathlons, Ryan brings a deep passion and desire to each client interaction.  He is always in the pursuit of improvement when it comes to every aspect of his personal and professional life.  

Andrew Hinshaw is a licensed insurance agent who works hard to help provide resources and solutions to answer the very important question later in life: Are we going to be alright financially?  He has a college degree in Engineering, and he transfers his great problem-solving skills to helping his clients with their financial goals. 

He ran a nationwide roadside assistance company for 15 years, then transitioned to sales and services for another 10 years before he made the decision to join the Federal Benefits Group. 

He is married to his wife Annette and they have a son Ramsey. 

Melissa Dawson joined our 5 star team sharing her passion for always having a heart to serve.  Melissa was born and raised near one of the three insurance capitals of the world, Des Moines, IA.  She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with B.A. in Public Administration.  She has 28 years of experience in the insurance and financial realm, 24 of these years in Denver, CO.  Her integrity and values are what drive her to solve big financial decisions for her clients, including everything Insurance, College Aid Planning, and Wills & Trusts. 

Melissa’s heart is full with being a mom to her two teenage young men.  She oversees their homeschooling efforts as independent learners.   Together they enjoy climbing 14ers, golfing, soccer, scouting, and vacationing to adventurous places.    

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.