Hart School Board member Steve Sturgeon was named 2013 Santa Clarita Valley Man of the Year at the 47th annual recognition dinner Friday night at the Hyatt Valencia.

He was nominated by the SCV Child & Family Center and also the Rotary Club of SCV.

Steve has volunteered for several different organizations serving them as a President, Chairman, Foundation Director or on an Advisory Board or Task Force such as for Sulphur Springs School District and Hart High School District or the Sheriff’s Foundation to name a few.

Steve Sturgeon was born May 24, 1949 in Glendale, CA. In elementary school he started a library from his bedroom window, implementing a book borrowing system with fines.

During his younger years, he participated in Scouts and has always had a tender heart for children. In May of 1966 He graduated from Granada Hills High in the San Fernando Valley.

He became a UCLA Bruin majoring in Political Science and Computer Science and easily found employment in the computer field.

At 23 years of age, he went to work for Coldwell Banker in L.A. and became one of the youngest VP’s for the company. When a client encouraged him to start his own business, he left Coldwell and started MBA Systems.

As a successful small business owner, he decided to give back to the community and became a Rotarian. Rotary was also an opportunity to bond with his Dad, Pat. Pat was with Granada Hills Rotary and Steve was with Encino.

2013 SCV Man & Woman of the Year: Steve Sturgeon and Elizabeth Hopp | Photo by Gary Choppe

Steve was proud of his Lincoln Continental and impressed the ladies with his fancy car. He did most of his courting Julie either at the Playboy club in Century City or at Rotary events.

Rotary became a way of life and Steve took Julie to a Rotary meeting while they were on their honeymoon in Mexico City. Steve took charge of the annual Rotary Art sale and helped sell hot dogs at the events.

Steve was the General Contractor on the house they built in Placerita Canyon. However, this was the extent of the work he did on the house as more important things were in store for him.

In 1983-84 he became Rotary President and it was customary for the President to attend the International Convention. He and Julie went to South America visiting Machu Pichu, Iguazu Falls and then the convention in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

In Rotary, every year a club in the district has an opportunity to win the Silver Bell. Steve made his club proud when they won the Silver Bell during his Presidency.

Then Steve became in charge of the District Conference and he put on a great show for the in-coming Governor of the District.

Suddenly, Rotary was put on hold for about 20 years after their first child came along and friends knew he would be more than the Lamaze coach.

As soon as the kids could walk, they were out playing sports and Steve was their coach or manager.

There was girls Soccer. There was boys Soccer. There was reffing … local games, then area games.

And there were several Hart baseball teams.

Even a busy guy has to take some time out to relax crossword puzzles, books, fishing, skiing.

While the kids attended elementary school, Steve served at Sulphur Springs School site council, he won his seat on the Sulphur Springs School Board, the Hart School Board and is now in his 17th year serving local school districts and on State committees.

One of the most rewarding experiences for any board member is giving out diplomas at the annual graduations. Both of their children, Adam and Nicole received their diplomas from their dad.

He has supported several non-profits over the years including the Child and Family Center Board and Foundation, the Michael Hoefflin Foundation, Safe Rides, the Senior Center, Boys & Girls Club, COC Foundation and Presiden’t’s Circle, Betty Ferguson Foundation, SCV Theatre Group and the SCV Sheriff’s Foundation and has always been comfortable behind a microphone.

In 2005, Steve embarked on a new venture Confidential Data Destruction Company – 180 degree shift from his software development business.

Three years ago, he returned to Rotary Club with his Dad and has served at least 14 years up to now.

In 2010, his son Adam was married to his beautiful wife, Kristi.

In 2012, Steve walked his daughter, Nicole, down the short aisle at a Hawaiian beach resort to marry Jimmy Joliceour.

The highlight of his life has been the birth of his FIRST grandbaby, Kayli Lorraine Sturgeon on Nov. 11, 2011.

Steve and Kayli are inseparable.