About Steve
Beaumont City Councillor
Elected in 2018, I have thoroughly enjoy the collaboration, connection-building and workload associated with being a Councillor in the City of Beaumont! I am looking for your support so that I can continue to work for you in 2021 and beyond!
Alberta Born and Raised
I was born in Bashaw, Alberta, and was raised in the central Alberta towns of Mirror and Stettler. I've called Beaumont home for almost 10 years, and have lived in the Edmonton area since 2005.
LOCAL ROOTS
My wife was raised in Beaumont from a young age. She told me that we needed to move back to Beaumont to raise our family, and, we did just that! Beaumont is our home and is the best city!
Husband and Father
I currently live in Beaumont with my wife, Laura vanNieuwkerk, a teacher. Laura has worked as a teacher for 15 years. We have two young sons, Issac and Braden. Our boys are active in many community activities and sports, which keeps us very involved in the community.
University Graduate
After high school, I set off to Red Deer college and then on to the University of Alberta to finish a Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Conservation Sciences. From there, I headed off to Drayton Valley to pursue my career in environmental consulting. There's an inherent skill set that goes along with completing a university degree, which includes teamwork, the ability to learn, the ability to listen, and the ability to seek out answers to things you don't know..
Business Owner
My career in environmental consulting eventually led me back to Edmonton. After some time with other firms, my business partners and I created Navus Environmental Inc. We grew Navus from five staff in 2008 to over 100 staff by 2015, when our sought-after business was acquired by Vertex, an environmental and industrial services company operating in Alberta's energy sector. In early 2020 I sought change and looked back to my entrepreneurial roots. I again incorporated a company and began providing business consulting services back to environmental companies in western Canada. Daily, I work with senior management teams as they improve and optimize the functions of the accounting, human resources, information technology (IT), safety, fleet and equipment functions in their businesses.
Education and ProfessionaL experience
Bachelor of Science, Environmental and Conservation Sciences - University of Alberta
Professional Agrologist, member of the Alberta Institute of Agrologists
Project Manager: 19+ years experience as project manger, program manager, general manager, and director of operations in the environmental consulting industry. Currently working towards obtaining PMP designation through the Project Management Institute.
Business Consultant: Using my diverse career background I am working with small businesses to constantly improve by: identifying constraints to growth, building plans and busting down any barriers to success!
Political Roots
Politics runs in my family. From 1980 through to 1993, my father served on council in Mirror, Alberta, and was eventually elected as mayor. In 1991, he was nominated by the Minister of Environment to the Parlby Creek-Buffalo Water Management Project Review Board. I have and aunt sitting as councilor for the County of Lacombe. I have another aunt who has been working with local MLAs in Alberta for as long as I can remember. Her son has also been involved heavily in local, provincial, and federal politics for quite some time. I gain my inspiration for these dedicated and hard-working folks. I admire them all so much, and have learned plenty from them.
