Steve started birding at age 13, and by age 18 was leading his own section of the local Christmas Bird Count near St Louis, Missouri. He is a retired geologist who spent much of his career working and birding around the world and has birded in over 40 countries. He first moved to Houston in 1985 and by 1988 was leading birding trips to the Katy Prairie and other areas for Piney Woods Wildlife Society, the Outdoor Nature Club, and Houston Audubon. He has served on Houston Audubon and Gulf Coast Bird Observatory Boards of Directors. Currently Steve serves on boards for Texas Audubon and the Katy Prairie Conservancy.