Our Team
Federal Benefits Experts
Every FSS employee has proudly earned the Federal Retirement Consultant℠ Designation. This marked distinction from FINRA guarantees public trust in our team’s expertise with federal benefits and ethical practices.
Eric Steffy, FRC
FOUNDER AND CEO
Eric Steffy brings more than 35-years of experience helping Federal Employees retire. As he walks you through your file of forms, he’ll unveil the mysteries so you’re in the best position to maximize your benefits and retirement options. He understands the ins and outs of the Federal and State system and is passionate about making sure you can make choices that suit you best. Eric’s dedication and genuine investment in his clients create lifelong, trusted relationships where reaching out for help navigating life-changes is as easy as picking up the phone.
Eric was raised knowing how to work hard on a family farm in Iowa. That strong work ethic is core to who he is and what he does every day, from playing college football to helping clients build a strong financial future. Eric is a get-it-done leader who is dedicated not only to his family, friends, and colleagues but also to empowering each of his clients to secure a stable future. Because benefits change, the market changes, and life changes – having a committed and knowledgeable Retirement Counselor can make all the difference.
Denise Valenzuela, FRC
Denise Valenzuela brings experience, knowledge, and commitment to helping you realize your retirement goals. Denise and her team specialize in educating and helping you navigate the stack of forms and decisions that go into securing a strong future. Knowing how unique your goals are, Denise brings a listening ear and the ability to tailor your plan specifically to you. GO from hoping you can retire to knowing you can retire. Denise and the team at Federal Solutions make retirement possible for hundreds of individuals every year. Trusted. Honest. And backed by proven results. Secure your future today.
Denise lives in Nebraska with her husband, Keith, and a Jack Russell Terrier, Tripper. She is an avid motorcyclist and enjoys gardening and being outside. With over 20 years in the financial services industry, Denise is uniquely qualified to help you realize your retirement dreams and goals.
Michael Saengdara, FRC
Michael Saengdara is a dedicated professional whose knowledge and experience can help you reach your retirement goals. Michael is committed to the premise that it’s never too early nor too late to start planning for your future. Michael’s years of financial experience are a proven asset that you’ll benefit from at every step of your journey. Michael is eager to share his guidance, knowledge, and resources with you and your significant others to help you realize your financial goals.
Michael was born in northern California and moved to Colorado, where he and his wife, Chantalla, live with their two girls. During off-time, he enjoys playing basketball, seeing the world with his family, listening to music, and trying new food. Michael is passionate about his goals for himself and his family. When you work with Michael, you can expect him to work just as hard for you and those in your life.
Dirk Campbell, FRC
As a Certified Federal Retirement Consultant, Dirk’s training and experience make him uniquely qualified to work with individual federal employees to help them plan for their benefit changes when their retirement comes. He is passionate about helping each employee he works with to clearly understand the choices they have with the benefits they are participating in and helping them make educated decisions on those benefits they desire to take into retirement. Dirk takes pride in being readily available to answer any questions or address any retirement concerns. Busy Federal employees are concerned with having a good financial life today and an even better financial life at retirement. You can expect education and guidance to help ensure you are financially prepared before, during, and after life’s transitions. Because we understand that your life, the financial markets, and most importantly, all of your Federal Benefits can change over time (and most assuredly do change over time), we check in frequently to discuss changes in your life and revisit your financial approach.
Our goal is to help you stay on track to achieve what’s most important to you. Dirk has spent a large part of his career teaching and educating federal employees about their FERS and CSRS benefit plans and their retirement process. Federal Solutions Support will absolutely deliver on the outcomes. Federal workers are seeking – it begins with and ends with EDUCATION.
Dirk lives in Chicagoland with his partner Cathy and has two daughters. He is very active in Christ Community Church in St. Charles, IL, and his background in education allows him to incorporate an educational approach to financial strategy, ensuring that all who want to build a great plan for the financial future of their family – have the tools and knowledge to do so. He finds great value in being a father, a partner, a brother, a grandfather, and a professional who has used his life experiences to build into planning and has over 17 years in the financial services arena.
John Richardson, FRC
John Richardson brings dedication, hard work, and experience to helping Federal Employees retire comfortably and reach their retirement dreams. John is trained and specializes in helping federal employees understand all of their benefits and maximize their retirement income. John has years of experience in the financial industry, and his dad is a retired federal employee; he was a Federal Agent, and John was able to help and guide his father through his retirement process and has a way of making all his clients feel like. He says he treats his clients with the same care he would his own family.
John lives in Georgia with his wife, two children, and two dogs, Milo and Ellie. He enjoys the outdoors and playing sports in his downtime. He has over 12 years in the financial industry and is dedicated and qualified to help you reach your retirement goals and dreams.
Allan Cruickshank
Allan is a licensed financial professional and a Certified Federal Employee Retirement Consultant who specializes in helping clients prepare for retirement. Based out of Florida, he has been an expert in the field of retirement planning since 1997. He joined Federal Solutions Support in 2023.
Allan’s engaging style makes him a favorite amongst his clients. He combines education with a fun approach that will make you both comfortable and confident in your retirement future.
Allan’s commitment to his clients, coupled with his expertise and longevity in retirement planning, make him a perfect fit for both the Federal Solutions Team and Federal Employees.
Heidi Smalley
Exceeding customer expectations is Heidi Smalley’s life philosophy. Her goal is to always provide you with the best customized options for your situation – resulting in an optimal outcome.
Educating and empowering others has been a lifelong passion and gift Heidi possesses. Her ability to practice these attributes every day has provided her the opportunity to make an impact on thousands of lives over her career.
Her commitment to her customers has enabled her to earn loyal and trusting long-term relationships. When Heidi was nine years old, her father was killed in a car accident. As the second oldest of seven children, she learned first-hand how to meet challenges head on, develop a good work ethic and learn responsibility.
Growing up in the Boston area, Heidi loves Italian food and knows where to find the best cannoli! She’s also lived in Texas and California, but currently resides in Florida.
We are thrilled to have Heidi as part of the Federal Solutions Team and can’t wait for you to get a chance to work with her.
Lisa Garred
As your Federal Retirement Consultant, Lisa’s training and experience make her uniquely qualified to conduct educational presentations and partner with busy individuals and families
concerned about understanding the complexities of a Federal career and structuring their benefits for maximum impact.
Lisa has spent a large part of her career teaching and educating Federal employees, and understands that y our life, the financial markets, and most importantly, your Federal Benefits can and will change over time. Count on her to check in frequently to discuss those all those life changes, and revisit your financial approach. She is committed to helping you stay on track to achieve your financial goals.
Lisa lives in Texas about 2 miles from her grandchildren and loves to spend time with them. As a mom, grandma, daughter, sister and teacher, Lisa has life experiences to build into planning as well as over 12 years in the financial services arena. Lisa joined the Federal Solutions Team in 2023 and brings a fresh and welcome perspective to her clients and her teammates.
Christa Brendel
As a senior advisor, Christa Brendel specializes in Federal benefits, retirement and finance planning as well as investments. Credentialed as a Federal Retirement Consultant, FRC, with the Federation of Federal Employee Benefit Advocates, FFEBA, she has worked with hundreds of Federal employees across the nation, educating and positioning them for a successful and secure retirement that ensures financial comfort and peace of mind.
Christas’ career began at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration base on Assateague Island, Virginia. Through the NASA Pathways educational program, she earned her business degree early on. From there, Christa transitioned her career to the Medicare sector to better assist her father and family members in accessing their benefits. This soon came to include a focus on the intricacies of overall retirement planning and the Federal employee benefit system. Christa holds true to the age old saying… “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” – Benjamin Franklin
You can reach Christa at 443-859-7915 ChristaB@FederalSolutions.org
Melissa Jordan
As a retired federal employee, Mel Jordan leads the way for others as they work their way toward retirement. Her knowledge as a Certified Federal Retirement Consultant enables her to maximize the benefits of each person works with. Her compassion for others and her desire to leave someone better off than before she meets them, shows her dedication to those she helps. With close to two decades working for Social Security, Mel successfully and seamlessly navigates the intricacies and complexities of the SSA system. Between SSA benefits, federal retirement pensions, and TSP, Mel will help you find the best path to the best retirement possible.
Mel lives in New Mexico with her husband, her son, two cats, two dogs, and 14 chickens on her four-acre homestead enjoying the outdoors whenever she is not helping someone with their federal benefits