Meet Our Team

Stephen C. Locker, CFP®

Chief Operating Officer, Registered Principal & Founding Partner

Stephen is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founding Partner of Beacon Financial Group (BFG). One of his primary focuses is running the financial planning Division of BFG where he works closely with clients and advisors (representatives or consultants) across the country.As an officer of BFG, he works closely with the talented BFG team and oversees technology, marketing and business development. He was instrumental in created Beacon Benefit Services (BBS) which is the firms insurance and benefits division.Steve has developed training programs to accelerate the growth and development of the law enforcement division of BFG. He has also been a key element in negotiating products and services for membership needs.A graduate of the distinguished Rutgers University, Stephen started his financial career with American Express Financial Services. He applied his knowledge by introducing productive solutions for both clients and advisors which led to record growth at the firm. This experience and his perseverance fueled many successful business and client initiatives and in 1996 he co-founded Beacon Financial Group.

Four year Division I Lacrosse Letterman, American Express’ youngest District Manager, and 2007 Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee, Stephen set the standard as he earned and holds the prestigious title of Certified Financial Planner™.

Gautam Misra

Senior Partner

Gautam is a Senior Partner of Beacon Financial Group and one of the firms founders. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Accounting and Commerce from the University of Delhi, India; a Chartered Accountancy qualification from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in India; and qualified as a CPA® from the University of Illinois in 1989. He is a member of the American Institute of CPA’s and also the NJ Society of CPA®’s.

He has over 37 years of financial experience starting with Price Waterhouse & Co in India, ITC Ltd – an Indian multi-national corporation – for whom he worked in India and then was selected to head their the US operations; and thereafter with American Express Financial Advisors Inc. (now called Ameriprise Inc). With American Express he achieved Advanced Advisor status in his first year, which he maintained throughout his association with them, before shifting his efforts to starting BFG in 1996.

While Gautam practices all aspects of financial planning, he has focused on Retirement and Estate Planning over the years. With Retirement Planning being one of the country’s biggest challenges, Gautam works to a large extent with Retirees and Pre-Retirees – who could be individuals and small businesses – to provide them strategies to help them retire comfortably and stay retired. In order to assist his clients through the myriad of retirement vehicles and rules, and to stay updated with the latest regulations, Gautam has completed the education requirements and is a Master Elite Advisor in Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group. Ed Slott was named the “The Best” source for IRA advice by The Wall Street Journal. He is also the point person with regard to the Retirement and Distribution Planning business at Beacon.

Gautam is passionate about tennis, a sport he has played since his childhood, plays golf and loves travelling, both domestically and overseas. Gautam is married to Gita and has two children, a son named Siddharth and a daughter – Priyanka.

Richard O’Toole

Senior Partner

Richard is a Senior Partner and Co-Founder of Beacon Financial Group with more than 45 years of experience in the financial sector. In October 2000, Richard established Beacon’s 2nd Florida office when he moved to New Smyrna Beach. Prior to becoming a financial consultant with AMEX in 1991, Richard holds various positions with Chase and other world banks as a Vice President in domestic and international corporate banking.A graduate of Florida State University, Richard is married with 2 great sons and 6 wonderful grandchildren. He is actively involved in tennis, windsurfing, kayaking and scuba diving. He travels part of the year visiting clients in 13 states and for the past 11 years has been Vice President & President of his condo association board. Richard is also a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and an instructor at the Marine Discovery Center.Richard holds various investment and insurance licenses and enjoys working with families, small businesses and entrepreneurs requiring College funding and Retirement Planning. He uses asset allocation, diversification and a wide range of investment products to help his clients meet their goals.

Christopher Kamnitsis

Senior Vice President

Chris, a Senior Vice President, has been with Beacon Financial Group since its inception in July of 1996, and has over 19 years of experience as a financial consultant. In 1993, Prior to joining Beacon, he worked on Wall Street for 2 years with Lehman Brothers, Inc. and Oppenheimer & Co. where he advised individual stock and bond portfolios. After working on Wall Street, Chris worked at American Express Financial Advisors where he teamed up with Steve Locker, Randy Landsman, Gautam Misra and Richard O’Toole to form Beacon Financial Group.In addition to helping his clients plan for and achieve their goals, Chris is involved in many projects designed to help individuals and small businesses understand and manage their retirement assets. Areas of focus include 401(k), 457 and 403(b) plans; IRA Rollovers, Stretch IRAs, pre 59 1/2 early distributions, and 72(t). He also works with individual securities such as bonds, preferred stocks and other fixed income tools. As a specialist in retirement distribution and income planning, Chris is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™, and he has been accepted into the nation’s most exclusive group of financial advisors — Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group^SM* where he is a Master Elite advisor. Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group^SM* is a group of financial advisors dedicated to solving the country’s biggest and most complex financial problem — effectively managing the distribution of assets from Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs).Chris is also a highly sought after public speaker, having done hundreds of presentations for small groups to large corporations as well as the New York City Police Department, educating the audience on Retirement and Income Planning.Chris is a graduate of the University of Hartford with a BA in Political Science and Economics and has completed the Certified Financial Planning™ program at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He was born and raised in Hunterdon County where he now resides with his wife and four children.

Stephen Kamnitsis

Stephen joined Beacon Financial Group in 2003 and worked hard to quickly earn all of the licenses he needed to get started. No stranger to finance and the stock market, Steve advised proprietary and personal assets as a trader for over two years and before that, was an IT Project Manager at Bear Stearns.After realizing he could use his trading and technology background to help others make sense of their finances, Steve joined forces with his brother Chris, a Senior Planner at the firm. The team is involved in a number of projects designed to help individuals and small businesses understand and take advantage of their employee benefits and pension plans including the New York City Police Department. He currently services many NYPD clients throughout the 5 boroughs and Long Island. In the last few years Steve has taken classes to specialize in Retirement Income Planning and together with Chris has developed a significant client base in Hunterdon County.Steve graduated from Lehigh University with a B.S. in Business and Economics and a Major in Marketing. He enjoys watching the Yankees and the Eagles, fishing and traveling. He currently resides in Leonardo, NJ with his wife Jennifer and can frequently be found poolside on summer weekends

Patricia A. Hade

Certified Financial Planner™

Pat joined Beacon in 2010 with over 25 years experience in the financial services industry. She is a Certified Financial Planner™ and holds Series 7 and Series 65 security licenses, as well as life and health insurance licenses.Pat is also a tax preparer and therefore her practice specializes in Tax and Retirement Planning. She is a member of the National Association of Tax Practitioners. Pat’s practice has grown over the years to provide services including Financial Planning, Tax Planning, Education Planning, and insurance services to clients around the country in fifteen different states. She offers personalized attention to each and every client in order to help them achieve their goals. Some of the families that she works with now include second and third generation clients.She and her husband, Charlie, have resided in Hunterdon County for over 30 years, currently residing in Pittstown. Pat and Charlie have four daughters and in her spare time she enjoys reading, traveling and spending time at the beach with her nine grandchildren. She is also a die-hard Yankee fan.

Martin Mercurio

Martin’s journey that landed him at Beacon Financial as a Financial Representative is anything but stereotypical. We believe that Martin is not only a tremendous asset to Beacon, but his customer’s alike. Born and raised in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Martin spent the first 20 years of his distinguished career providing services in the telecommunications industry with Verizon Communications Inc. He performed a sundry of roles including area management, team building, and a variety of technical responsibilities that serviced a wide area of Verizon’s Central New Jersey region.From the beginning, Martin’s positive attitude resulted in both satisfied customer’s and team members. Martin oversaw the implementation of extremely complex telecom services all while managing a team to perform well above Verizon’s stringent standards, making him one of Verizon’s most valuable team members. Martin, never satisfied with the status quo, sought more of himself and decided to leave Verizon late in 2008 to join a very reputable insurance company. With a sharp learning curve, Martin excelled and soon became top of class amongst all new advisors. In his new role, Martin provided the same commitment he carried with him to his Verizon customers and worked with former team members to help them through the complicated web of financial planning, as well as providing inspiration to those who never dared to change careers in a extremely difficult economy.In January of 2010, Martin had the unique opportunity to join Beacon Financial as a Senior Representative, and he has never looked back. Martin’s commitment to his customers is never ending, and his pledge is to make sure that they are always in a much better place financially. With a grassroots mentality, there is little doubt that Martin will serve to meet these lofty expectations. Martin, founder of the Lehigh Valley Business Professionals Association also sits on the board as Vice President. Martin is also a board member and actively involved with the Angel 34 Foundation, a non-profit foundation which helps children with cancer nationwide. Martin has three beautiful daughters and lives in Easton, Pa. In his spare time he enjoys coaching his daughter’s sports teams and playing golf. He looks forward to hearing from you!

Tommy Butler

In May of 2011, after 24 years with Verizon Communications, Thomas joined the Beacon Financial Group as a Financial Representative when he decided it was time to bring his work ethic and high standards to a new venture.While at Verizon, Thomas worked his way up the corporate ladder. He began as a Field Technician, maintaining the infrastructure to give Verizon customers the quality of service they deserved. Thomas was then selected to join the management team. As a Manager, Thomas received awards for outstanding performance and exceeding Verizon’s high standards. He also had the opportunity to complete many special assignments. He had the honor and privilege to work with White House Communications for Presidents William Clinton and George W. Bush. In addition, he was a member of the Verizon Storm Recovery and Restoration Team that traveled across the country after severe weather and national disasters (including the World Trade Center after 9/11), repairing the damage to Verizon’s extensive network. While with Verizon, Thomas graduated Cum Laude with a Master of Science degree in Telecommunications, using his knowledge and experience to mentor newly promoted managers.Thomas is also very active in his community as a firefighter, a coach for various sports and a Charter Member and Past Grand Knight of the local Knights of Columbus. He believes we each have something to offer one another and we should assist each other when we can. Through his positive attitude, enthusiasm, integrity, strong work ethic, and high standards, Thomas is an asset to both Beacon and his clients. He has pledged to do all he can to ensure that his clients are financially enhanced because of utilizing his services together with Beacon Financial Group. He looks forward to serving you!

Anthony Fanara

VP Law Enforcement Division

Anthony Fanara served as a New York City Police Officer from 1985-2004. He is a Police Combat Cross recipient and was a Union Delegate for the Patrolman Benevolent Association from 1994 until his retirement. Anthony began his career with Beacon Financial Group in 2002 working as Beacons liaison to law enforcement. In 2007 he received his FINRA securities licenses.With his law enforcement background and his second career in gear, Anthony was instrumental in establishing the Law Enforcement Members Services division for the firm.Anthony has forged relationships with law enforcement organizations throughout various states.As Co-Founder and Vice President of Beacon Benefit Services his daily activities revolve around establishing and the execution of new business strategies for the firm as well as overseeing the management of state FOP and NYPD sales teams.

The rapid growth and endorsements received by Beacon throughout the years has largely been due to Anthony’s vision. Understanding the surmountable needs of fellow law enforcement officers, he has envisioned and implemented business processes that can satisfy the financial planning, retirement and benefits needs of his peers.

April DeVito

Director of Corporate Operations, Senior Account Manager

April is the Director of Corporate Operations for Beacon Financial Group (BFG). She also holds the position of Senior Account Manager of several states for Beacon Benefit Services (BBS), the wholly owned insurance and benefits division for BFG. She joined BFG in 1997 where she was placed in charge of operations and she has since become the Director of that role with her passion and integrity driven style.In 2008, she expanded her role within the organization and was instrumental in the growth of the law enforcement division of BFG. She works closely with Senior management to provide solutions for police, fire and first responders in her states. April currently resides in Central Jersey and is passionate about her charitable causes in her free time.

Douglas Molstad

CFP/Compliance Officer

Doug has been in the financial services industry since 1981 and providing personal financial planning services since 1991. He is a Certified Financial Planner™, which is a professional designation awarded for advanced education in the financial industry.Doug graduated from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine where he majored in Economics. He also earned a Masters in Business Administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Doug is instrumental in client case analysis, using his financial acumen and research to help formulate sound financial plans. He is also the Compliance Officer for the firm. He lives in Madison, NJ with his wife Janet, daughter Kristen and their dog, Sunny.

Robert Chwasky

Robert has 10 years of experience in advisory and sales positions for financial service firms including Morgan Stanley, Charles Schwab and New York Life. He has worked with many clients to help them achieve their financial goals through investment and insurance solutions. His areas of focus have been assistance in mutual fund selection and asset allocation. Robert joined Beacon to take advantage of the many products and services an independent firm can offer clients.Robert earned a B.A. in History from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, and a JD from Benjamin Cardozo Law School in New York, NY. He lives in Whippany, NJ, and he enjoys hiking and attending sports events in his free time.

Gail Abrams

Senior VP Investment Specialist

Gail is the founder of her own law firm and Senior Vice President, Investment Specialist at Beacon Financial Group. She has been in practice since 1994. Ms. Abrams primary concentration is in the areas of Sophisticated Estate Planning such as; Wills, Living Trusts, Irrevocable Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and Living Wills. She also specializes in Investment Strategies for financial portfolios, Retirement Distribution Planning, Multi-Generational/Stretch IRAs, wealth transfers and asset protection. Ms. Abrams specializes in tax saving opportunities to provide for family wealth and asset protection.Ms. Abrams was awarded a Juris Doctor degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Bridgeport. Ms. Abrams is admitted to the bar in the states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.Ms. Abrams was an adjunct professor of law at Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She was also a formidable candidate for a Pennsylvania State Representative seat having designed a campaign platform stressing the importance of family values and community togetherness. Her philosophy in the campaign and as an Estate-Planning attorney and a financial professional is to “Build a Solid Foundation for Tomorrow’s Future.”Gail Abrams is a widely known speaker and seminar leader in the field of Estate Planning, Asset Protection, and Financial Strategies. Ms. Abrams currently holds Estate Planning and Financial Educational workshops throughout the Tri-state area. She uses her abilities to help reduce complex legal and financial principles to understandable concepts. Ms. Abrams specializes in developing and strategically designing innovative estate planning and tax savings techniques. Over the last ten plus years, Ms. Abrams has worked with clients and their families to develop optimum Estate Planning and Financial Strategies that she feels best suit their particular needs.