Throughout this summer, Federal News Radio will interview each of the federal workers nominated for the annual Service to America Medals, which honor outstanding federal employees for their important, behind-the-scenes work advancing the health, safety and well-being of Americans. Today, Tom and Emily had the chance to chat with Dave Lavery, program executive for Solar System Exploration with NASA. He led the Curiosity rover mission to Mars.

Learn more about each of the finalists and read Federal News Radio’s Q&As with each of the nominees here.

After a long trial, Ronald Reagan’s former Labor Secretary Raymond Donovan was acquitted of fraud. Then he asked, “Which office do I go to to get my reputation back?” Congress and the Justice Department are still looking into the IRS’ handling of conservative groups who applied for tax-exempt status, but the agency may be asking the same question. How can it clear its name and regain trust? Marketing Consultant Davia Temin spoke with Tom and Emily about how to best manage a reputation crisis.

Many of us dream of retiring overseas, but there’s more to it from a financial perspective than meets the eye. Registered Employee Benefits Consultant Ed Zurndorfer joined Tom and Emily with Part 2 of his tips on the practical way to sail off into the sunset. Specifically, Zurndorfer discussed what retirees need to do to receive their Social Security benefits when they live overseas. Check out Part 1 of Ed’s interview here.

The Combined Federal Campaign, as we know it, is about to change. The Office of Personnel Management has proposed two dozen tweaks. OPM says the changes will save money, increase accountability and make it easier for feds to give money. Plenty of groups, however, don’t like the plan. Aaron Dorfman is the executive director of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy. He told Tom and Emily the new plan would cut some charities out of the world’s largest workplace fundraiser.