While growing up Steve's family ran a body shop and he served various roles. He graduated from UW Eau Claire earning a degree in economics and a minor in accounting. He then taught high school and coached numerous sports. He later joined 3M in Automotive Trades and in the 3M ARMS project in sales and marketing.

He then joined Akzo Nobel as a Business Development Manager (and later as the North American Services Manager) and started the industries first value-added program, Acoat(r) selected. He left to work as the operations manager for Sterling Finish and later ABRA Auto Body & Glass as a VP of Training, Integration and Quality Assurance. In 2001, he rejoined Akzo Nobel as the marketing and services manager - central region, and has developed the Acoat(r) selected educational series and numerous other tools used by members of Acoat(r) selected.