Steve was an outdoor educator for 10 years working in various adolescent drug and alcohol treatment facilities in Montana and Washington, guiding backpacking, skiing and sea kayaking. Originally from the flatlands of NW Indiana, Steve’s first foray in retail came at Chicago’s best ski shop, SnowCrest Ski Center. After about 100 weeks guiding, Steve began looking at ways to spend more time at home and less time in the backcountry. He became involved with Wildernest after partnering with good friends Tom and Phuoc during the move down to the new Water St. location, and in January of 2006 Steve and Kerry became full owners of the store.