Background

A graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Steve joined Development Counsellors International in 2004 with a degree in journalism, including direct experience in both print and broadcast media. As a member of DCI's economic development marketing team, he draws from his experiences living in regions with various challenges and strengths. Steve was born outside the city of Albany, New York, which had a small-town business atmosphere; witnessed auto industry-dependent life growing up in the suburbs of Detroit; attended college in rural Pennsylvania with its farm-based economy; and finally settled in the metropolis of New York City, one of the major financial and industrial centers of the world.

Steve's Passion for Places

Though a bit “sheltered" in his youth, Steve developed his passion for places upon visiting New York City for the first time. Witnessing the exciting world that existed beyond the borders of his living situation at the time, he decided to start seeing everything and anything that he could – within the limits of his wallet and work schedule, of course. You’ll often find him extending client trips to the weekends to take advantage of the new places and experiences that await.

Notable Results

• Steve arranged for several education representatives from Mobile, Alabama, to visit a reporter from US News & World Report in Washington, D.C. The appointment resulted in a follow-up visit to Mobile by the writer and, eventually, a three-page feature on the region’s successful reform efforts.

• When The Wall Street Journal began a new column called “Blueprint," which highlights a region’s economy and real estate market, Steve worked with the writer to feature downtown San Diego’s bustling office market. The relationship has since led to a similar article on downtown Denver.

• After securing an NPR correspondent for a trip to Charleston, South Carolina, to do a port security story, Steve also interested the writer in the region’s recovery since Hurricane Hugo. The visit resulted in two separate packages, both airing on "All Things Considered."

• Capitalizing on the newsworthiness of the energy industry, Steve was able to arrange four separate broadcast interviews within one year, three on CNBC and one on Bloomberg, that focused on various themelines for his Denver client.