About Steve

Steve is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of LocoLabs, where he oversees technology and product development. A self-described “geek,” Steve manages LocoLabs product development processes while staying atop the latest industry research and technological innovations.

He possesses a rare combination of skills across hardware, software, and systems engineering, making him the perfect resource for the LocoLabs team when they need to crack a tough, multi-faceted problem.

Steve leads the design, development, and technical review for LocoLabs projects. He also leads the definition and implementation of critical systems for document control, product lifecycle management (PLM), revision control, and configuration management. He frequently performs feasibility studies, technology reviews, and analyzes requirements and schedules for LocoLabs clients.

Steve followed in his uncle’s footsteps and enrolled at San Diego State University as an aerospace engineering major. He quickly became fascinated with computers, digital logic, system architecture, operating system design, and so much more. Inspired by stories of the engineering world, he pivoted to pursue a double major in electrical engineering and computer science.

While at San Diego State, Steve met LocoLabs co-founder Brad Hoffert, and the two became lifelong friends. Steve and Brad shared similar academic and personal interests, a sense of humor, and an inclination to work on complex projects. The two friends vowed that they would one day create their own company together.

As a student, Steve embraced an opportunity to work as a contractor for the Department of Defense at the Naval Ocean Systems Center (NOSC), now called SPAWAR. At NOSC, he developed UNIX-based data analysis and predictive modeling software. Later, as a student contractor LOGICON, he developed software for the IFFN system, a large-scale wargames simulator.

After graduating, Steve worked at Computer System Associates, where he was the principal developer of several leading-edge, high-performance computing products that served the industrial and personal computer markets.

He then joined QUALCOMM, where he was a member of the team developing the first commercial infrastructure equipment for CDMA-based wireless communications. Steve provided expertise in the areas of complex board design, computer architecture, microprocessors, programmable logic, development languages, and design methodologies.

After QUALCOMM, Steve rejoined Brad at FutureTel, a pioneering network and broadcast video startup, as its Chief Technologist. At FutureTel, he architected and designed key products and provided guidance and mentoring to key staff.

Steve and Brad established LocoLabs in 1996 to conquer complex product design challenges for clients.

In his free time, Steve enjoys music, movies, reading, traveling, camping, hiking, skateboarding, and other random acts of sports and games.

Fun facts: Steve has visited 48 out of 50 US states (only Hawaii and Alaska are left!) and is the dedicated LocoLabs pun-master.

What part of your work do you enjoy most and why?

I enjoy learning new things every day, which is easy in the tech world. Interacting with customers and understanding their needs, brainstorming solutions, system architecture, electronics design, software development… okay pretty much all the geeky stuff.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not at work?

Traveling, hiking, camping, skateboarding, music, food, movies, reading.

Where did you go to school and what was your major or advanced degree in?

San Diego State University (SDSU). Dual Major Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (BSEE) and Computer Science (BSCS).

What were you doing before coming to LocoLabs?

I was fortunate in college to get to work on real engineering projects as a contractor to the Department of Defense (DoD). After school I spent four years developing high performance computer systems hardware and software. I then worked at Qualcomm on early CDMA cellular infrastructure equipment. Brad and I worked together at an MPEG A/V startup company just prior to LocoLabs.