More than 30 years ago, Steve moved
to the Salmon River near Riggins where he built a house, a pole barn with
hand-split shakes, an irrigation system, a large garden, and a hydroelectric
plant.
On the Salmon, Steve worked as a
sheepherder, moved irrigation pipes, harvested hay and grain, and drove a
school bus. Steve designed small hydroelectric plants, and studied all the math
books in Riggins High so he could enroll in the University of Idaho to study
civil engineering to learn more about water.
Steve was president of the College
of Engineering, ‘most outstanding student’ and graduated with degrees
in Civil Engineering and Mathematics. Steve attended graduate school at the
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, specializing in white water, but instead
of in rivers, this time it was in the surf near the beach. In summer, Steve
returned to the U of I to teach, and after obtaining his PhD he became a
professor at the U of I. In 1986 he moved to Washington State University, where
he was a professor of engineering for about 13 years, before moving to
Sandpoint.
Today, Steve manages a team (similar
to a small business) of engineers, technicians, and students that improves
management of water resources and designs and builds instruments to measure
water currents, waves, and sand motions. Steve works mostly for the US Navy. As
part of this business, Steve has gained a wide range of experience with
government funding, and has raised millions of dollars from state and federal
agencies. Steve has almost 20 years of experience managing large
government-funded projects, including developing budgets and guiding
expenditures. His selection as leader of many of these efforts attests to the
trust others have in Steve's leadership, judgement, and ability to make
decisions.
Steve has a national reputation for
honesty and fairness. Twice he has been elected to receive a prestigious
"Excellence in Refereeing" award from the American Geophysical Union, he was
elected chairman of a panel of experts that reviewed the Navy's Geology and
Geophysics research program, and he was the decision-making editor of two
international scientific journals.
 Steve was elected to the Board of Directors of Northern
Lights, where he has voted against raising rates, in favor of returning capital
credits to the elderly and estates, and for full access by members. Twice,
Steve has been elected to be secretary-treasurer of the Board. Steve also is
the elected president of his local home owners' association board, and serves
on the Bonner Partners in Care Clinic Board (Bonner county's free clinic).
Steve also serves on the executive council of the Ocean Sciences committee of
the American Geophysical Union, and on committees that guide the logistics of
large scientific field programs.Steve has 4 children, all of whom
graduated from Idaho high schools. Ulysses attends the University of Oregon,
Suni is a nurse in Seattle. Sean recently was discharged from the Navy (he was
on an amphibious assault carrier (the Iwo-Jima) in Iraq), and Tai is working in
Seattle.
Steve's wife, Britt also is a
water-resoruces scientist who specializes in pollution, erosion, and
beaches. |
Steve and
two of his kids in front of the cabin he built 35 years ago while herding sheep
on the Salmon River, near Riggins.
Steve and
his grandson on Christmas morning after opening a stocking with a toy and a new
hat.
Steve (in
the hat) guiding an instrument pipe as it is installed into the bottom of a
man-made bomb crater during a Navy study. Steve's team designs, builds, and
installs the equipment.
Left:
Steve (3rd from left) with the Northern Lights Board of
Directors.
Steve's
wife Britt, her Seeing Eye guide dog Whit, and Steve enjoying a snowy
day. |
- Moved to Idaho almost 35 years ago
- 4 children who graduated from Idaho public
schools
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|
Employment |
- Caretaker of a sawmill in northern
California
- Sheepherder and camp tender in Riggins,
ID
- Farm worker (operated combine, mower, &
baler, and irrigated) in Riggins, ID
- School bus driver
- Taught and conducted research at University
of Idaho, Washington State University, and Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institution
- Managed team of engineers, technicians, and
students
- Design, constructing, and testing of
instruments to measure currents, waves, sand motion
|
|
Interaction with Government |
- Director (District 3), Northern Lights
Electrical Cooperative (elected secretary-treasurer last few years)
- Raised millions of dollars from state and
federal agencies to support team of engineers, technicians, and students
- Chairman of national committee to evaluate a
large Navy laboratory
- Participated in programs to increase women
and minorities in engineering
- Raised funds to improve INTERNET access
- Assisted Navy in mine detection techniques to
improve safety during beach maneuvers
|
|
Education |
|
University of
Idaho |
- B.S. in Civil Engineering and Mathematics
(1980)
- Graduated summa cum laude
- Elected president of student body of College
of Engineering
- Voted ‘most outstanding student’
|
|
University of
California |
- PhD in oceanography (1985)
|
|
Awards, Honors, and Community
Service |
- ‘Excellence in Refereeing’ (awarded twice)
- Chairman of Moscow, ID Mardi Gras Parade
committee.
- Speaks to elementary school classes, citizens
groups, government agencies
- Helps with Clark Fork junior high science
projects
- Serves on Bonner Partners in Care Clinic
Board, and volunteers for the free clinic
- President, local homeowners'
association
- Member and secretary-treasurer, Northern
Lights Board
|
Steve (sunglasses,
driving the boat) and his team of engineers and divers on their way to install
equipment under water during a Navy project.
|
