Mason & Associates is an independent, fee-only financial planning firm located in Newport News, Virginia. We provide ongoing comprehensive financial planning and tax planning advice to clients locally and throughout the United States. Our financial advisors specialize in providing financial planning advice to federal employees who are covered by the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) and Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). The financial planning team helps federal employees maximize federal benefits and provides guidance in all areas of financial planning such as retirement planning, tax planning, and estate planning. Not a federal employee? No problem! We serve a variety of clients who have no ties to the federal government other than the taxes they pay. Our financial planning process and client experience allows us to serve families who are already retired or actively working. John leads Mason & Associates as President and Senior Financial Planner, bringing over 15 years of specialized expertise in federal employee financial planning. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ since 2012, John has built a reputation for delivering comprehensive, client-centered guidance across tax, retirement, and estate planning. John earned his Bachelor of Science in Business from Virginia Tech’s Pamplin School of Business, where he also completed his CFP® education requirement. He is an Investment Advisor Representative and maintains a Virginia Life and Health Consultant License. John is a member of the following professional organizations: •National Association of Personal Financial Advisors •XY Planning Network •Financial Planning Association As co-host of the Federal Employee Financial Planning Podcast, John has become a recognized voice in the federal benefits space. He is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences and educational events for federal employees, and his insights have been featured in leading publications. Outside the office, John and his wife, Sara, both Virginia Tech graduates, enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and exploring the outdoors in their camper. They’re proud parents to a young son who’s best friends with their golden retriever, Penny.

Tommy is a graduate of Virginia Tech’s Pamplin School of Business, where he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business as a Finance major and completed the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) education requirement. While pursuing his Bachelor’s degree, Tommy observed that taxation was integral in financial planning and decided to pursue a Master’s Degree in Accounting at Virginia Tech with a focus in taxation. Tommy is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He also holds the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), as well as the Series 65 and the Virginia Life and Health Consultant Licenses. Tommy joined Mason & Associates in 2019 as a Senior Financial Planner, and earned a partnership position in 2020. Prior to joining Mason & Associates, Tommy was a Senior Financial Planner at a respected financial planning firm in Richmond, VA, and also has experience with a “Big 4” public accounting firm. Tommy’s primary responsibilities consist of working directly with Mason & Associates clients in all aspects of their financial plan, with a particular emphasis on the subjects of tax, retirement, and estate planning. Tommy a co-host of the Federal Employee Financial Planning Podcast. Tommy’s memberships and designations include: CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Life and Health Insurance Consultant License in Virginia Chairman and Past President of the Central Virginia Financial Planning Association (FPA) chapter Recognized by the Virginia Society of CPA’s as a Top 5 under 35 in 2018 Recognized by Investment News as 40 under 40 in 2018 Received 2017 Standing Ovation Award in Personal Financial Planning from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Elizabeth Feagans is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, joining the firm and the Nuttycombe Wealth Management Group in 2022. She focuses on wealth planning and relationship building, offering expertise in areas including family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, retirement income, and tax minimization. Her approach incorporates personalized plans tailored to clients' unique goals and priorities. Before transitioning to financial advising, Elizabeth spent eight years practicing law as an attorney. This background, combined with her financial services industry licensing and training, has equipped her to serve her clients effectively in managing and planning their wealth. Her client focus includes supporting personal retirement planning, small business strategies, managing new wealth, and addressing the financial needs of women. Elizabeth earned a Bachelor's Degree from Christopher Newport University and a Juris Doctorate Degree from Charlotte School of Law. Originally from Newport News, Virginia, she now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Andrew, and their sons, Bronx and Hudson, as well as engaging in activities such as baseball, football, hiking, skiing, swimming, interior decorating, music, traveling, and watching movies.

Leo O'Connell is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving clients through a team based in Newport News, Richmond, and Tulsa. He focuses on helping clients develop comprehensive wealth plans that align with their personal financial goals. His areas of expertise include college education planning, corporate executive services, executive and equity compensation, personal retirement planning, special needs planning strategies, women and wealth, sports and entertainment, individual and corporate investment strategies, and retirement income. With a Bachelor's Degree from the College of William & Mary, Leo holds professional designations as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Throughout his 30-year career at Merrill Lynch, he has valued building long-term relationships with clients and their families, emphasizing collaboration and personalized planning. Leo is also involved in community organizations such as CHKD, Hampton Roads Children's Charities, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and Warwick Little League. Outside of his professional work, Leo enjoys a variety of activities including baseball, fishing, gardening, hiking, reading, scuba diving, skiing, surfing, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Michelle Grant is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She works with individuals, families, and business owners to provide investment guidance and personalized financial planning. Michelle's expertise includes helping clients make confident financial decisions during periods of growth, transition, and uncertainty. Her approach combines disciplined investment strategy with planning across retirement, taxes, and long-term wealth building. She focuses on simplifying complexity, managing risk, and aligning financial decisions with clients' real-life goals. Michelle holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and has completed her education with a High School Diploma/GED from Liberty University and ECPI College of Technology. She communicates in both Tagalog (Filipino) and English.

Lisa Adamonis Pile is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. With over a decade of experience, she focuses on collaborating with clients to define what matters most to them as they prepare for various stages of life and navigate the financial implications of their planning. Lisa's approach centers on personalized wealth management strategies that address key life priorities such as family, finances, health, home, leisure, work, and giving. Her areas of expertise include college education planning, divorce transition planning, employee benefits planning, family wealth management strategies, services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, services for defined benefit plans, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, and women and wealth. She holds several professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA), and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA). Lisa also completed an Accredited Certificate Program from CDC School of Professional Nursing. Lisa participates in community organizations such as Habitat For Humanity and the Virginia Food Bank and is involved with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. She speaks both English and French. Outside of her professional work, her personal interests include football, horseback riding, and yoga.