Stephen is an accomplished executive with more than 20 years experience in business strategy, general management, new media product development, interactive sales and marketing, business development and media production.

In 2005, Stephen founded Crescendo Consulting Group, a boutique strategy firm that works with clients in all stages of development, from start-ups to mature businesses. Crescendo focuses on two practice areas: 1) general corporate strategy and business development, 2) digital media, marketing and communications.

Prior to Crescendo, Stephen was given an opportunity to combine his passion for business and the arts to work along side David Gockley as Director of Strategy and Development for Houston Grand Opera. In addition to overseeing all of the Opera’s business development and fundraising efforts, Stephen spearheaded a long-term strategic planning initiative, working closely with HGO’s board and strategy taskforce made up of community leaders.

Before his return to Houston, where he was raised, Stephen served as Deputy General Manager and Director of Business Operations at New York Times Digital. As a member of the company’s senior management team, Stephen’s responsibilities included leading product development, managing revenue operations, client and customer services, and overseeing site design and functionality.

Stephen came to The New York Times Company from PricewaterhouseCoopers where he served as a senior consultant in the firm’s Entertainment and Media Corporate Strategy practice, working with clients ranging from small Internet start-ups to global Fortune 500 media companies.

Stephen began his career at CNN during the first Gulf War where in addition to his responsibilities as a writer and producer for the television network, he was involved in the company’s early new media initiatives.

Stephen is active in the Houston community. He remains involved with HGO as a member of its board and marketing committee. He also serves on the boards of the American Festival for the Arts and the Association for Community Broadcasting, the governing body of Houston’s award-winning public television and radio stations.

He is a member of Houston Mayor Bill White’s taskforce studying the economic and societal impact of culture in Harris County. Stephen is Vice President of the Columbia Business School Houston Alumni Chapter.

Stephen served as a founding member of the first Customer Experience Council, an international group of blue chip companies dedicated to furthering best practices and building business by providing flawless customer experiences.