Steve is a small business owner, community leader, and father who is running for San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors to bring bold new leadership to San Joaquin County. About five minutes after meeting him, you’ll figure out he’s a no-nonsense kind of guy. Sometimes he’s a little gruff, but he’s a straight shooter who calls it like he sees it. No BS.
Steve learned from a young age that nothing comes without hard work. Growing up, he worked after school at his parents’ store in Stockton. Working there sparked his entrepreneurial spirit, and before long he was delivering The Record on his own paper route and bussing tables in his “free time”. He liked paying his own way. He still does. And he appreciates the value of a dollar, his or yours.
After graduating from Stagg High School, Steve attended San Joaquin Delta College, and then transferred to Chico State, where he worked for a local nightclub as a doorman. During the day he listened to the local businessowners complain about unfair treatment by the local city council. Looking into it, Steve thought they were right, and organized students to replace four of the council people with small business owners.
Steve realized that he liked politics, and dove in. He commuted to back to Stockton to work for a local Supervisor, and after graduating took a job for Congressman Richard Pombo where he rose to the position of Chief of Staff and Staff Director of the powerful Resources Committee, which oversaw the federal water resources that are vital for our community. He knows the ins and outs of government – but more important knows that government should be there to do the basic jobs we pay them to do… that government works for us, we don’t work for them.
In 2010 Steve bought the historic Woodbridge Crossing restaurant in 2010 and worked hard on his own dime to restore it and keep it a local tradition. The restaurant flourished and won awards for excellence, in part because Steve made it his business to meet customers, find out what they liked and didn’t, and learn from his mistakes. He’s not afraid to admit when he’s wrong, and he doesn’t hesitate to step up and fix problems.
Steve serves on the Executive Board of the Lodi Boys & Girls Club and is a member of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, Lodi Chamber of Commerce, and The California Restaurant Association. Steve was named Businessman of the Year both locally and by the California State Senate for his service to the local community. He is blessed to work at Woodbridge Crossing with his two sons, Steven Jr. and Connor, every day of the week. Come on by.