Biography
Steve in his second term on the Newton City Council, as the representative of the 4th Ward. His wife Mary and he retired from the teaching profession in 1998, having taught in the Newton School District for many years and served on numerous Newton Community Education Association committees. Steve is a life member of the National Education Association and the Iowa Retired Teachers' Association. During his tenure in Newton, he was a past president of the Newton Community Education Association, a member of the Iowa State Education Association's Professional Growth and Development Cadre, and served as the chairperson for Newton High School's North Central evaluation in the 1990's.

Past & Current Civic Affiliations
In civic affairs, he has been a two-time president of the former Newton Optimist Club, and holds a life membership in Optimist International. In 2000-01, he served as District Lt. Governor for the Iowa District of Optimist International in Zone 8. Project Awake and McCann Village boards have also held his interest. He is a past president of the local Knights of Columbus and a past member of the Sacred Heart Parish Council. The ad hoc committee studying and recommending action on recycling to the Newton City Council and the committee raising money for the Newton Hike and Bike Trail were two other projects he undertook. Currently, he is a member of the Iowa Sculpture Festival and a member of the Newton Police Academy Alumni Association.

Education
Steve holds an M.A. in English Education from Truman State University. Additional hours of postgraduate work have been completed at Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, Drake, and the University of Northern Iowa. Mary and Steve continue to be life-long learners by participating in senior citizen classes at Iowa State University and belonging to a local book club.

Retirement
After retiring from teaching, they have managed their own home painting business, M & M Painting. Five children and sixteen grandchildren keep them on the road a great deal. Mary and Steve enjoy participating in Elderhostel programs all over the country, as well as reading, taking long walks each morning, being active in church life, and appreciating living in the heartland of America. "This is home! We will do what we can to make our community better. Our philosophy of life is to wear out, not rust out."