The University of Tulsa's Petroleum Engineering Department

After graduating from The University of Tulsa in 1984 with a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering, Steve began his career with Amoco Production Company as a drilling and production engineer in company’s Rocky Mountain Division. While at Amoco, Steve focused primarily on drilling operations in New Mexico, Nevada, California, Oregon, and Washington. During his tenure at Amoco, he authored and presented an SPE technical publication on the technology, operations and safety challenges associated with natural gas drilling.

With the downturn of the oil and gas industry in 1986, Steve returned to his hometown of St. Louis and worked in the corporate engineering group for the Ralston Purina Company in the areas of engineering and operations management within several divisions of the company. After receiving his MBA degree in 1992, he joined the management consulting practice of Ernst & Young in Columbus, Ohio as a senior consultant focusing on operations and financial management. In 1997, he joined Andersen Worldwide as a senior consulting manager focusing on organizational performance management and acquisition integration including the implementation of global equity and share plans for several multi-national companies.

In 2000, Steve joined the National City Corporation as a Senior Vice President and has held several positions in the areas of finance and operations. In addition, Steve serves as an adjunct professor of business at Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio. Steve, his wife Sue, and children, Alexandra, Matt, and Tommy (and golden retriever, Cleo) currently reside in Macedonia, Ohio.

Why did you choose TU?

I first visited TU during my junior year in high school, and liked everything about the school and the student experience. I thought TU was the perfect fit, and not too far from my hometown of St. Louis.

Did Tu prepare you well for your career?

The combination of TU’s industry reputation, and the faculty’s emphasis on academic performance and student achievement are certainly key contributing factors. My friends, classmates, and distinguished upper classmen in our fraternity contributed greatly to this preparation through their support and leadership, especially during my freshman year. I had great internship opportunities as well which taught me the definition of hard work and provided invaluable experience in an intensely competitive job market. Lastly, the technical training and the competitive nature of the program were key attributes that helped me greatly in graduate business school and with my transition into Big 6 consulting, and the capital markets.

Any fond memories you would like to share?

I was an average student at best who received a great deal of encouragement and support from friends and faculty, especially during tough times, so I remember this well. Other fond memories include, but are not limited to: Springfest boxing, intramurals, late night butcher boy burritos from QT, the 1981 trash can fires at Twin Towers, the NIT championship, the Subversive Film Festival, the North Campus experience, and many late nights at Charlie Mitchell’s and the Tap Room.