Steve was born and raised in Winnipeg, Canada. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Manitoba before attending University of British Columbia Law School where he graduated with his LL.B (J.D.). Upon graduating, Steve returned to Winnipeg and practiced law as a commercial litigator until 1997 when he made a career change to business.

Steve joined Conviron, a company owned by the Kroft family, and operated the business and its associated companies (the CEL Group) as President, CEO and then Executive Chairman until its sale in September 2022. Under Steve’s leadership, CEL became widely recognized as the world leader in the supply and manufacture of controlled environment equipment used primarily in agricultural research and high value plant production applications. Today CEL-engineered solutions are relied on by the world’s most prestigious universities, government and private research institutes, and Ag biotech multinationals in more than 90 countries. CEL remains based in Winnipeg, with sales and service offices on four continents.

During Steve’s time with CEL, the company was named Manitoba’s Exporter of the Year by the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, and in 2016 was named Life Science Company of the Year by the Life Science Association of Manitoba. Steve is a prior Prairie finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and in March of 2023 was inducted into the Manitoba Manufacturers Hall of Fame.
Steve now spends most of his business time at Falcon Capital Corporation, his family investment office, which invests in a range of companies and real estate. He serves on the Board of Directors of the North West Company (NWC.TO). He is also on the Board of Directors of the recently established Manitoba First Fund. Previously, Steve served as Vice Chair of Manitoba Hydro.

Steve is committed to Manitoba and he and his family are active supporters of several community organizations and initiatives through their family foundation. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the True North Youth Foundation, where he also serves as Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee. Steve is a member of the Advisory Council to the President of the University of Manitoba and is the current Vice-Chair of The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), a national organization whose primary objective is to combat antisemitism. He is a past Chair of the Business Council of Manitoba and now serves as a Director Emeritus of the Council. Steve is also the Past Chair of CancerCare Manitoba Foundation. In 2022, Steve was awarded the Sol Kanee Distinguished Service Medal, the highest honour bestowed on a member of Manitoba’s Jewish Community.

Steve lives in Winnipeg with his wife Lisa. They have two adult sons, Nathan and Alex.