Our Team
More than just Agents. We are a community built by Steele.
James Steele
CEO
As a lifelong resident of Virginia, James is a wealth of knowledge in the area and an incredible asset to the insurance industry. With over 18 years of expertise and the ability to make everyone feel at home, he makes understanding insurance a breeze. From being a successful commercial and health insurance broker in California to running a flourishing award-winning agency in Virginia, he prides himself on being a pillar of the community and continuously looking for ways to engage in local activities and support community outreach. When he’s not at the office you can find James fishing the Rappahannock, putting his Master Gardener skills to use at the local garden or spending time with his family.
Josh Fried
Agent
Josh went to college to become a middle school history teacher, wanting to fill a void that he felt existed by helping kids understand how the world works in a way that would make sense to them. While completing his degree, he took a position at his local insurance agency. As his insurance career blossomed, he realized he had the same passion for helping people understand insurance as he did educating our youth. He decided to stay in the field and his desire to help others has kept him looking out for his clients for over 20 years. From a small town in upstate New York, to the metropolis that is Southern California, and now our beautiful state of Virginia- Josh has excelled at insurance in every market. With a focus on transparency and education, Josh has achieved being one of the top 1% of life insurance agents in the world multiple times. We are elated to have him among our staff, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to assist our clients on a daily basis.
Give him a call today, you are certain to learn something new and we promise you won't be disappointed!
Lindsay Fried
Agent
Lindsay is no stranger to hard work and dedication. With a background in Customer Service Management and a desire to provide the utmost in quality care to each and every client she serves, joining the Steele team was a no brainer!
Her attention to detail, and drive to provide thoughtful, solution based services are exhibited in her daily interactions with clients and team members alike. When Lindsay isn't in one of our 2 office locations, she can be found spending time with her family, enjoying the outdoors, in front of the stove, or enjoying a good book.
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Heather Mauro
Agent
A licensed agent for nearly a decade, Heather is a wealth of knowledge and always ready to lend a helping hand. Whether you are calling in, or visiting the Fredericksburg office, you can count on smile and a warm greeting every time. Heather will stop at nothing to ensure every client receives proper care, and walks away feeling educated, and confident that they have picked the right agency to protect their most important assets. When Heather isn't in the office putting a smile on your face, she can be found riding the trails, spending time with her family, and spoiling her ornery kitty Norman!
Have a question about your policy? Give Heather a call today!
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Felicia Heflin
Agent
With over 20 years of experience in the Insurance industry, Felicia is a wealth of knowledge and expertise. When she isn’t running through coverages or providing the utmost in service to our clients, she can be found enjoying life to the fullest with her family and friends. She was recently promoted to Grandma and enjoys spending time with her beautiful grandbaby any chance she can get. No matter the question or line of business, Felicia is your gal!
Give her a call today and let her show how Steele Insurance Agency stands up and stands out for our clients!
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Brittany Stilwell
Agent
Brittany has jumped feet first into the insurance industry with her positive attitude and incredible work ethic. With a background in Customer Service and Digital Marketing, her skillset is being put to great use and we couldn’t be happier to have her on our team. Our first full-time remote employee and an avid animal lover, Brittany spends her working days with her fabulously furry office assistant Artemis the mini schnauzer. If you’re lucky you may just get a glimpse of her black panther (shhhh don’t tell him he’s just a Domestic Short Hair), Nyx, making a cameo on a zoom meeting! In her free time, Brittany enjoys time with her family; the furry, the plant and the people alike. Together they like to play video games, bake, and tap into their creativity. A family of artists, you will always find them surrounded by beauty and wonder through music, nature and more. Next time you call in and get her on the phone, you can rest assured your call will be handled with professionalism and a smile!
Liza Marie Contreras
Agent
With over a decade of experience as a licensed insurance agent, Liza brings both professional expertise and a personal touch to every client relationship.
A devoted mother of two, you can catch a glimpse of her friendly competitive spirit while engaged in a video game marathon with her son, or enjoying girly bonding moments with her daughter. From the day to day hustle of life, to the big memory moments, time with her family is her ultimate priority!
Whether she’s whipping up something delicious in the kitchen, enjoying a time out with some good music, or diving into policy language to help better serve her clients insurance needs, Liza approaches life with passion and purpose. Her service-first approach to sales is reflected not only in the trust she builds with clients but also in the camaraderie she fosters with her team. We are lucky to have her!
Give Liza a call today to discuss your Home, Auto and Life insurance needs!
Lydia Pentecost
Veteran Agent
With a career spanning nearly five decades, Lydia is a true cornerstone of the insurance industry. She began her insurance journey on December 13, 1976, and has since built a legacy of excellence across claims, support, and agency leadership.
After an impressive 20-year tenure as an agency owner, she joined our team following her semi-retirement — bringing with her a wealth of knowledge, experience, and heart.
A proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Lydia treasures family time above all. She’s often found cheering on her grandsons at the baseball fields, playing a mean game of monopoly, or enjoying a cone at her local ice cream spot with her grandkids.
Her top-tier customer service and deep commitment to helping clients understand and feel confident in their coverage are just a few of the many qualities that set her apart. Lydia's passion for proper coverages and policy education continues to make a lasting impact on every client she serves. We feel honored to have her on our team!
Malik Alston
Agent
Say hello to Malik—our finance enthusiast, outdoor explorer, devoted husband and proud dad to a French Bulldog & Goldendoodle; all rolled into one. With a background in business and a natural curiosity about how the world of money moves, Malik loves diving into big-picture financial ideas and strategy. Outside of work, you’ll often find him enjoying time wiht his wife, exploring new trails, visiting museums, or getting lost in a good documentary. With his thoughtful perspective and genuine curiosity, Malik brings fresh ideas and great vibes wherever he goes.
Give him a shout today, you're sure to be met with a smile and a great conversation!
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Annabelle McHugh
Agent
Annabelle, a Virginia native and permanent resident of our Richmond office, brings a strong sales background and a genuine excitement for serving clients to her role as our Commercial Insurance Specialist. A true foodie at heart, she’s passionate about cooking and the culinary arts. Always eager to try her hand at a new recipe and discover great food. She’s also an avid pet lover, a dedicated reader, and enjoys exploring new places, meeting new people, and collecting experiences along the way. With a style that’s as confident and authentic as her approach to client service Annabelle balances professionalism with a refreshing individuality. We’re thrilled to have her on board and are confident our commercial clients will quickly appreciate her drive, attention to detail, and approachable nature.
Gwenyth Thompson
Gwenyth brings a unique talent to the agency with a strong background in the automotive service industry. Her experience working in fast-paced environments has shaped her into someone who is quick on her feet, attentive to detail, and always ready to help solve problems for clients.
Known around the office for her quick wit and positive energy, she brings a great personality to our team culture. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time baking, proudly embracing her role as a devoted cat mom, and indulging her fascination with sharks. She’s also a proud “Belieber,” so there’s a good chance you’ll catch a Justin Bieber song playing nearby.
Her mix of industry experience, humor, and dedication makes her a great addition to our team, and we’re excited to have her helping serve our clients.
Give Gwenyth a call and see how she can help you with your coverage needs!
Jordan Mitchell
Agent
Jordan brings a fresh energy and an ambitious spirit to the Steele Insurance Agency team. Eager to learn, grow, and sharpen her skills, she’s excited to build her career in insurance and take on every new challenge that comes her way.
Outside the office, Jordan has a few interests you might not expect, including a not-so-secret fascination with microbiology. She’s also something of a Crocs connoisseur, with an impressive collection and an appreciation for the iconic footwear that goes well beyond the average fan.
When she’s ready to unplug, Jordan enjoys getting outside for a good nature walk ideally with Bentley, her beloved Shih Tzu and four-legged sidekick. Whether they’re exploring a trail or relaxing at home, Bentley is unquestionably the keeper of her heart.
We enjoy her quirky sense of humor and desire to give nothing but 100% in everything she does, and we know you will too!
Give her a call and see how she can help you protect what matters most!
Max Dales
Max brings a genuine, easygoing personality to the Steele team, backed by a strong work ethic and a determination to see things through. Naturally curious and always eager to learn something new, when Max takes an interest in something, he has a tendency to dive all the way in, learning the ins and outs, honing his skills, and challenging himself to be the best he can be at it.
That same enthusiasm carries over outside the agency. A devoted family man, Max loves spending time with his kids, whether they’re on the baseball field or building gaming PCs together. He enjoys the process of figuring out how things work, putting the pieces together, and sharing those experiences with the ones he loves.
Around the office, Max is known for his quick wit, genuinely kind nature, and a well-timed one-liner. He is always willing to lend a hand and has a reputation for making a mean pot of coffee! Give him a shout today to discuss your Commercial coverage needs, or better yet, swing by the Fred office and discuss over a cup of coffee!