Dedicated to serving the public for over three decades, Steve held a variety of increasingly responsible positions with the U.S. Forest Service. In his final nine years before retiring, Steve was the Director of Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness resources for the 22-million acre, five-state Rocky Mountain Region. In this position, Steve directed the full spectrum of federal land management agency outdoor recreation, heritage, and wilderness projects and efforts. This included management of over 525 campgrounds, 17,000 miles of motorized and non-motorized trails, construction of the Continental Divide Trail, oversight and review of ski area proposals, the protection and interpretation of prehistoric and historic cultural resources, and management of 48 Congressionally designated wilderness areas.

Steve brought innovation and entrepreneurship to the Forest Service that created lasting partnerships involving other federal agencies, state, county and local governments, advocacy groups, non-profits, and hundreds of individuals. He is now continuing his career as a partner in Chinook Associates, LLC, a firm committed to the design, development, and management of natural resources, parks, protected areas and recreational trail systems.