Steve graduated from Florida State University College of Law in 1986 and worked in state agency environmental and planning practice until 1991. Then he returned home to Okaloosa County and opened his private practice. Steve is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator and a trained arbitrator. He focuses on insurance, HOA and land use related dispute resolution across the Panhandle, including serving as a Special Magistrate for several local cities in Code Enforcement matters.

He and his wife, Sherry, are active members of the Crosspoint United Methodist Church and co-founders of Grace Rides, Inc. This is an equine therapeutic riding mission serving special needs and military families in Okaloosa and Walton counties.