Our Advisory Board is composed of seasoned professionals with extensive experience in retirement planning, including several retired Federal Employees. Their firsthand insight helps ensure our services align with the real needs of our members.
By understanding your unique concerns, they provide trusted guidance to help you plan for a confident, successful retirement — always with your best interests at heart.
Recent changes in federal workforce policy have added uncertainty to benefits and retirement planning. Our Advisory Board—including retired federal employees—offers invaluable insight to help navigate these complexities and ensure our support evolves with our members’ needs.
We remain committed to providing comprehensive, personalized guidance—from Social Security maximization to retirement income strategies—so that you can plan with confidence, no matter the challenges ahead.
As Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Federal Employee Service Association (FESA), Harlon Pickett is dedicated to supporting the unique needs of federal employees as they navigate their career and retirement journeys. He was driven to join FESA by the organization’s commitment to providing outstanding benefits and services tailored specifically for federal employees—a mission that closely aligns with his professional values and experiences.
From 2008 to 2011, Harlon had the privilege of assisting hundreds of federal employees in understanding their retirement benefits and positioning themselves for the retirement of their dreams. This experience solidified his passion for supporting this community, witnessing firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with federal service. Although Harlon’s primary focus since 2012 has been helping individuals and employers navigate the complexities of the healthcare system, his connection to the federal employee community has remained strong.
As a licensed Insurance Broker, Business Consultant, speaker, podcast host, healthcare advocate and member of esteemed organizations such as America’s Health Insurance Providers (AHIP), the National Association of Benefits & Insurance Professionals (NABIP), the Association for Health Care Advisors (AFHCA), the Free Market Medical Association, and the NextGen Benefits Network, Harlon brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to FESA, helping members make informed decisions about their retirement and healthcare options.
Harlon is proud to lead a team that shares his dedication to serving those who serve our country and is honored to contribute to an organization that stands as a trusted resource for federal employees.
I am Debra Reed-Sharp, and I am honored to be an Advisory Board Member for FESA since 2017. I worked for the USPS since 1986 and understand the limitations of Human Resource services available to Federal Employees. My decision to join the FESA Advisory Board was an easy decision because as a client of FESA I saw firsthand the remarkable job they do for Federal Employees. I started working for the USPS on May 26, 1986, in Pendleton, Oregon, as a Distribution Clerk. Later, I was transferred to Arizona and Iowa, and I ended my career back in Oregon.
Throughout my career with the USPS, I have been fortunate to work in several wonderful locations with many duties and titles, including Postmaster, Sales Associate, City Carrier, Stamp Destruction Chairman, District Retail, Western Area Finance, 204B, Officer in Charge, worked with OIG on several cases and Postmaster Trainer and District trainer. I really enjoyed being on the district teams to go across the state of Iowa to do city route inspections and make any changes to the routes if needed, office transfers, and Postmaster training. I joined the National League of Postmasters (NLPM) in Iowa and was elected Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President, and then had the honor of being elected President . Moving back to Oregon, I was honored to be elected President of the League of Postmasters for six years, and I was also on the Adverse Action for Oregon, Washington, and Alaska and recognized as Postmaster of the Year in 2012. I retired from the USPS in May 2017.
I was a Justice Court Judge in Cascade Locks Oregon for one year, and now have been elected as President for Skamania County Seniors North Bonneville, Washington.
My name is Ron Karrels. I served 33 years with the United States Postal Service (USPS), 26 as Postmaster in several towns and cities in Wisconsin. While serving as Postmaster, I took an active role in the Wisconsin National Association of Postmasters of the United States (NAPUS), serving in various state offices, culminating in my position as President of NAPUS. I also served as NAPUS National Vice President covering Wisconsin and Michigan.
After retiring, I ran for Mayor of my retirement city, New Holstein, WI and held that position for 3 election cycles (6 years), I then sat on the City Council for 3 more election cycles (another 6 Years). During that time, I continued my involvement in NAPUS by serving as National Vice President and then National President of NAPUS Postmasters Retired. Today, my involvement continues in what is now called United Postmasters and Managers of America (UPMA).
I have been serving on the FESA Advisory Board for the past 9 years. I decided to become involved with the Federal Employees Service Association (FESA) because of their commitment to helping Federal and Postal Service employees understand their earned benefits and if they are positioned for a worry-free retirement. As a retired Postmaster, I know USPS does not provide the proper level of HR services to its employees. That being the case, employees are left on their own to try and figure out and understand their benefits. FESA recognized this gap and decided to fill this void by helping Federal and Postal employees understand their benefits and prepare for a worry-free retirement by providing a FREE Personal Benefits Analysis.
What truly inspired me to get involved with FESA is the integrity of the company and their commitment of “Service First.” In my opinion, the credibility of FESA is beyond reproach.
You have a lot of choices to choose from in the marketplace, but as a Retired Postmaster, I assure you, that the right choice is the Federal Employee Service Association (FESA).
I am Benny B. Daigle, and I’m honored to be an Advisory Board Member for FESA. There is a great need to inform Federal Employees of their benefits, and I believe I can be an asset to them. I began working for USPS in February 1973 as an MPLSM clerk in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Then, I was promoted to Supervisor of Mails in Mail Processing. After that, I became Superintendent of Postal Operations in Plaquemine and Port Allen, LA. In 1992, I was promoted to Postmaster in Prairieville, LA, and retired from there in 2012. I worked on many details for the district, including Acting Manager of Post Office Operations and Postmaster Trainer. I served as State President, Vice President, Editor, State Convention Chairman, and State Postmaster Representative for NAPUS.
I served as the 2016 National Postmaster Convention Chairman in New Orleans, LA. I also served on the 2001 National Convention Committee and I was Chairman of the Southern Officers Conference three times in Louisiana. I was honored to be named Postmaster of the Year in 2002. In 2017, when the Postmaster Associations merged to become United Postmasters and Managers of America (UPMA), I still remained actively involved. I was the first recipient of the Louisiana UPMA Member of the Year Award in 2017. Currently, I volunteer my time as State Adverse Action Chairman and State Convention Chairman.
I am always here to help Federal Employees. Call or email me if I can assist you with anything.
My name is Jason Oliver, and I am proud to have joined the Advisory Board of FESA. My decision to join the Advisory Board was easy, as I believe FESA is an organization dedicated to helping others with the same passion and commitment that has defined my career. With over two decades in the financial services industry, I have worked extensively with teachers, state and county employees, and federal employees. I recognize that federal employees, just like teachers, are under appreciated and underserved groups.
We live in a world where information is easy to come by thanks to the internet. The problem with this ease of access is that there isn’t a plan, structure or support in learning about benefits and retirement. I believe everyone, including federal employees, deserves dedicated support and recognition. I have focused on providing tailored financial guidance to my community. I specialize in benefit reviews, life insurance, and annuities, and I strive to deliver comprehensive financial solutions.
Just as I address the unique needs of my clients, FESA does the same for federal employees. We both aim to foster a secure and prosperous future for our clients while upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency.
Daniel “Dan” Heins retired from the United States Postal Service (USPS) on March 1, 2025, after nearly 44 years of dedicated service. His postal career began in 1981 as a clerk in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Two years later, he became a city carrier, a role he held until his promotion to Supervisor in October 1986. In 1989, Dan returned to his original station as Station Manager before advancing to Postmaster of Austin, Minnesota in 1993. In 2013, he was appointed Postmaster of Stewartville, Minnesota. Throughout his career, Dan also served in several acting managerial roles, contributing broadly to USPS operations.
Beyond his formal USPS roles, Dan was a passionate leader within the United Postmasters and Managers of America (UPMA). He was elected the organization’s first National President, serving from 2018 to 2021. Following that term, he was appointed Executive Director, a position he held from 2021 until early 2025. During this time, he resided in Alexandria, Virginia, home to the UPMA National Office.
Dan and his wife, Karen, married in 1978 and are the proud parents of four children and grandparents to nine. In 2021, they relocated to Rochester, Minnesota, where they currently reside. Three of their children live nearby in Minnesota, while their oldest daughter and her family live just east of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.
In retirement, Dan enjoys spending time with family, reading, and quilting. He also serves as the Treasurer of Resurrection and Life Lutheran Church in Rochester, where he and Karen are active members.
Now, Dan is excited to contribute to the growth and future of the FESA organization. He is committed to supporting its mission of service-first financial planning—empowering clients, whether from federal or private sectors, to confidently navigate retirement and long-term financial strategies.
To contact the FESA Advisory Board, please call our office at (512) 687-6202 or email us at advisoryboard@gofesa.com.
