Growing up on a farm in rural south Georgia, Steve learned the importance of responsibility and hard work. He later learned the hard lessons and risks associated with agricultural business and the importance of managing cash flow through the seasons of preparing, planting, managing and harvest. In college he pursued degrees in economics and finance and after graduation applied his education in both public policy and private enterprise. As an ACE Hardware store owner for nearly a decade, he learned first hand the many challenges that start up businesses contend with. After closing that business in 2016 he was offered the opportunity to work with the UGA SBDC in Dekalb. He hopes to use both his education and experience as a business owner to help other entrepreneurs achieve their goals.

Education

• MBA (Finance), DePaul University
• MS (Agricultural Economics, ABT), University of Georgia
• BS (Agricultural Economics), University of Georgia

Experience

• Ace Hardware (Owner/Manager)
• Ogeechee Peaches (Partner)
• Southern Nursery Association (Executive Director)
• Forest Landowners Association (Executive Director)
• Legislative Assistant for US Senator Paul Coverdell