Stephen grew up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin (yes, the namesake and original home of the children's clothing brand) and migrated to the South to escape the harsh winters. College brought him to Atlanta, which he has claimed as home since 1984. He has an International Studies degree from Emory University and an MBA from Georgia State University. Stephen has almost 30 years of financial services expertise in insurance and financial risk management. His background includes advisory services and sales of risk modeling and analytics systems with Fortune 500 companies, and he has worked at FIS, Moody's Analytics, Milliman, Willis Towers Watson and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Stephen has a passion for coaching and empowering people that he has gained as a boot camp and karate instructor. A big believer in lifelong learning, Stephen has been involved with and has held leadership responsibilities with More to Life, a nonprofit organization that helps people develop skills to find more connection, fulfillment, and purpose in life. He is active in the community as a goodwill Ambassador for the OUT Georgia Business Alliance and Chair for the Emory Alumni Association Atlanta LGBT+ Network.

Stephen is an example of goal driven success. In 2012, his goal was to run 12 races in 12 months, and he did just that (including 8 half marathons). He next set his sights on becoming a black belt in Karate and accomplished that in June 2017. He is an avid scuba diver and has dived in Aruba, Azores, Bonaire, Cozumel, Puerto Rico, Galapagos, Roatan, Florida, and believe it or not, Alabama. Those who know him, know him to be good-natured and determined and he is often called a "bright light". Stephen is a massive foodie and a Delta Million Miler, and he always enjoys conversations about interesting places to visit and new restaurants to try.