About Steve
Early Years (1954 – 1968)
I was born and raised in the Seattle, WA area – the youngest of 4 boys. My home life was difficult, to an extent, because my father was battling personal demons. My mother, on the other hand, was a solid Christian example for me and my 3 brothers. She was a 2nd generation Norwegian immigrant who worked hard at a bakery to provide for the household and teach us to be men of integrity. She prayed for us and took us to church to give us a strong foundation.
I was blessed to be surrounded by 12 sets of Aunts & Uncles and other caring adults who became strong role models and mentors to me throughout my life.
Working Years (1968 – 2019)
As most boys of my generation we began an earning routine early. Started at 13 with two paper routes delivering the newspaper to my community before and after school. At 15 years of age I started working as a box boy for Safeway. Worked from 10PM to 5AM then went off to school. Before I was out of high school I was ordering all the freight for the store. This was a great accomplishment; it afforded me the means to move out and entirely support myself while still a high school student.
After graduation in 1972, I completed a four year trade school and worked as a journeyman in the building trades industry.
Married my high school sweetheart when I was 21 years old. Together we raised our 2 children and sent them both through college.
Early in my career I became an Executive Board Member of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers Union where I took part in labor negotiations with employers. Later, after starting my own businesses, I was negotiating union contracts on the Employer’s side.
Spent years in charge of hiring & recruiting project management staff, sales, project engineers, clerical, warehousers, safety coordinators for all projects. Our field staff were all professional union craftsmen.
Started & owned two specialty contracting businesses in the industry, managing industrial construction mechanical insulation projects in refineries, Boeing buildings, schools, Univ of WA, hospitals, the USS Stennis aircraft carrier etc. all located in the Pacific NW & Alaska. I owned & managed businesses w/revenues in excess of $10 million.
Arizona Years (2016 – Present)
My first exposure to Arizona was in 2010 when my 2 brothers moved to Maricopa County. I fell in love with this state for its wide open spaces, the desert/cactus, its cowboy mystique and constant warmth from the sun. As soon as I retired, I did what I could to make the move! Have been here 5 yrs. In 2020 I met my wonderful native Phoenician wife, Lynn. We married in 2021 and purchased a new home in north Buckeye. We both do volunteer work in the community and serve as Precinct Committeemen and Captains in Arizona Legislative District 25.
Politics
My interests in politics began during the Iranian hostage crisis under President Jimmy Carter. I was completely enamored by the strength and common wisdom of the great communicator, President Ronald Reagan. The very day he took his oath of office, the hostages came home!
Though raised in a Democrat home, one day, as a union member I realized I did not align with the Democrat Party’s platform. In 1990 I was told by a friend I should tune in to a man named Rush Limbaugh. I did & was hooked! Today I would classify myself as an America First Patriot – believing in less government, greater personal liberty & responsibility, responsible spending of our hard earned tax dollars, American exceptionalism & the freedom to chart our own course in our pursuit of happiness.
I am not a politician (have never run for office of any kind) and even if elected, will not become one!
I have heard it said a politician is only thinking about the next election; a patriot is concerned with the next generation. THAT is my why! The generations to come! The posterity of this great nation.
Also, another why of mine; this is my chance to fulfill my civic duty to this great country. America has given me so much. And I have always felt a bit of guilt for not serving in the military. My VietNam veteran brothers advised me not to sign up out of high school so I set out to build my family & career. SO Here’s is my chance to serve at long last.