He grew up in Southern Illinois, in Columbia, about fifteen minutes from St. Louis Missouri. As a child, he remembers always being outside and on the go quite a bit. “I remember my mom and dad would say, ‘You always have to be doing something.’ I was always on my bike and I seemed to be always doing something athletic. My father is a retired coach, so I was always around athletics, either watching or participating. Baseball was big in my community and I began with that, then transitioned to basketball in fifth grade and started playing football in sixth or seventh grade. Even though there was a time conflict between baseball and track, my dad found a way I could do both my senior year.”
His dad was the Athletic Director and his coach at baseball and basketball. As a child growing up, his dad’s love of athletics and sports was passed on to him. Athletics was prevalent in the family as his grandfather was also a very dedicated educator and a coach. “My favorite time as a kid was watching and viewing sports. We went to 15 or 20 Cardinal games during a season and we would attend Missouri Tiger college football games in Columbia, Missouri. Dad wasn’t especially pleased with me playing football and wasn’t happy when I moved to Cleveland and started playing rugby.”
Steve’s first job out of college was in direct sales selling office equipment and copiers. One day he called on a recruiter who recommended him for a consumer product sales job with Boyle Midway. “That was the beginning of my career in the consumer package goods industry. I’ve held positions as a sales representative, an account manager and worked with trade marketing and business development. I was a regional manager covering 12 states and a team leader for a national grocery account. Currently, I’m a National Account Manager with Diageo working the on-premise trade.”
An avid outdoorsman, Steve says, “I like to be outdoors whether it’s walking with my wife and the dogs, going biking, hiking, on the golf course, the running trail or a couple swims here or there.” Steve likes to help people. “I really enjoy being around people and I like to go the extra mile. I’m my own person and I speak from the cuff.” Steve’s passionate about a lot of different things like family and his job. “I always want to make sure I’m giving the best at all times. I guess that comes back to the way I was brought up. I was taught, ‘Work hard’ and ‘Your attitude is important in your life.’ If you put those things together you might not be 100% knowledgeable in a subject, but if your attitude is right, you deeply care, your passionate about the subject, and your interested in who your dealing with and what your dealing with, you’re going to make up for not knowing everything about the subject matter.”
Steve and his wife have plans for a family. “I think three would be a great number, but I would be happy with one healthy child.” Of course, Steve’s children would be exposed to sports at a very young age. “When it comes to sports, I think I would take on the principles that my father shared with me. He said, “I will never push you to do something you don’t want to do and at any point, if you feel like I’m being too overbearing, you let me know.” I think both my wife and I would be very good at that philosophy. I wouldn’t want to push my child into a sport because I loved it. Sports will always be a part of our family life because that’s who we are, but my children will be able to pick and choose the sports or any other area they would like to participate in and I’ll support them. I learned growing up that my mom and dad let me be who I wanted to be and I want to follow that lead.”
Do you have a favorite childhood story? What is it? Just a lot of great memories, which all have their own stories. Mostly, attending 15-20 St. Louis Cardinal’s baseball games per season and 2-3 Missouri Football games per season with my Dad.
Tell me a little about your career. I work with national restaurant chains in the casual dining industry. Some of my functions include menu development with signature drink listings, marketing/promotions and training
What’s important in your life? Family, God, hard Work, hard play and training Hard. Dedication & commitment.
What’s in your future? A Family. Also, continued growth and learning, and competing in many competitive events in running, biking and swimming. . I’d like to continue with Diageo as they offer many opportunities here and abroad. I’ve always had thoughts about being a “sommelier” and I have an interest in external affairs, as business law has always intrigued me.
What are your volunteer activities? The International Association of Lions Clubs. In the past I worked with Big Brothers and Sisters and realized that the world needs more people to get involved and give back to the community. In 1996, there was a small article in the Highland Ranch paper announcing the formation of the Highland Ranch Lions Club. I’ve been involved since. Currently, I’m the District Governor for our 44 Clubs in the Denver metro area. There are only four districts in the state.
Favorite restaurant? There are far too many to list! I would say the ones who have a great wine list with many “by the glass” offerings. Outside of the casual dining experience, I love Emma’s and Adega’s.
Who is the most interesting celebrity you have ever met? NBA coach Rick Pitino, PGA Champion’s Tour’s Sammy Rachels, PGA Tour’s John Daly and Orlando Magic’s Pat Williams
If your life were a movie, whom would you want to play your part? Me. However to make things interesting, I would say Robert Deniro, Martin Lawrence or Adam Sandler.
Do you have any pets?. Dog Annie, short for (Anheuser), a Dalmatian and Louie, (short for St. Louis), a Siamese cat
When you move, what will your home tell its next owner about you? That my wife has a great sense and taste of decorating and that I could improve on my landscaping skills. Or, that I have a few too many bikes in the garage.
What word describes you best? Competitive
How would you like others to describe you? Competitive, Smart, Fun to be around
What was your first job? Sales Representative for Boyle-Midway Consumer Products, manufacturers of Pam Cooking Spray, Woolite, Gulf-Lite, Black Flag in St. Louis / Southern Illinois
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? That I cannot help more people – sometimes too hard on myself
What trait do you most deplore in others? Pre-Judging others without getting to know them, closed mindedness, negativism
What is your greatest indulgence? Any Georges de Latour Wines, A long run or bike ride without pain, a nice day or evening with family and friends, and of course a great meal and a great wine !
What type of clothes do you like? Ones that are comfortable . . . Enjoy any opportunity to wear a tee-shirt and shorts, rugby jersey and jeans and the occasion to put on a nice suit.
What is the best gift you have ever given? Life, Love and Acceptance
What is the best gift you’ve received? Life, Love and Acceptance
What or who is the greatest love in your life? My wife and my family
What is your current state of mind? Positive
What do you consider your greatest achievement? One would include completing the 2003 New York City Marathon and another would be completing college in 4 years and having 3 jobs to choose from upon graduation.
What is your most treasured possession? Life and Health
What is the quality you most like in a man? Honest, Approachable, fun and comfortable to be around without egos
What is the quality you most like in a woman? Honest, Approachable, fun and comfortable to be around without egos
Favorite books/writers? Rick Reilly, John Patterson, Norman Vincent Peale
What is the best advice you have ever received? “Stay in School” by my Grandmother (Stuart)
“Attitude is everything” from friend Chris Kiser
Do you have a motto? “Work Hard – Play Hard – Train Harder”
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you? I would say . . . the most embarrassing . . . “Getting my shorts dropped” by a buddy, Shannon “Boogs” Sizemore while getting ready to bowl in front of many in college.
If you could come back in another lifetime, what/who would you like to be? And why? Me – as I know I would be have more knowledge and possibly take a few different routes. While I would not change anything in the current life, I think I would have tried more areas in learning, music and life in general.
What are your hobbies? Other interests? Running, Biking, Swimming, Golf, Rugby, Travel, Music
Who are your mentors? Dad “Coach Stuart”, Chris Kiser and Larry Wilson
What would you most like to be remembered for? That I was always willing to try my best at all times and go “the extra mile. My dedication to family, career and my friends and the vision “we can all get better by serving our communities.”
If you could go anywhere and do anything, what would it be? At the moment, To Heaven, to ask God to bring peace and love right now. Without any connection to the above, upon return, having the families all together in one place, without agendas or plans, but to have fun.
What do you like about the town you live in? Our Neighbors, all being so nice and willing to help and bottom line, good friends. Also, everything is so new and close by in proximity, including all of the trails, rec centers and 24 Hour Fitness!
