Steven R. Springsteel

Steven R. Springsteel, BBA 1980
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Liquid Robotics, Inc.

Steve Springsteel is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Liquid Robotics, Inc., an ocean data services provider and developer of the Wave Glider, the world's first wave-powered, autonomous marine robot.  The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California and has facilities in Texas, Hawaii and Washington, DC. 

Steve has more than 30 years of experience in operational and financial management.  His accomplishments include the management of two successful IPOs and multiple mergers and acquisitions.  He also has extensive experience in growing sales, raising equity and debt funding in the public and private marketplaces, as well as formulating and implementing complex business strategies.
 
Prior to joining Liquid Robotics, Steve was president and chief executive officer of Chordiant Software, Inc., and later chairman of the board of directors.  He grew the company to record levels of bookings and revenues, brought the company to profitability, expanded into new international geographies, and grew working capital to record levels. Steve successfully defended against a public hostile takeover attempt and ultimately led the sale of the company at a significantly higher price in 2010.  He has also served as president and chief financial officer at Verity and held senior financial executive positions at Apple Computer, The Santa Cruz Operation and Altos Computers. 

Steve has been a member of the board of directors for both public and privately-held companies.  He most recently served on the Board of Trustees of the California State Parks Foundation.  In 2008, he was awarded the prestigious Ernst and Young "Entrepreneur of the Year" award for Software in Northern California.

Steve received his BBA in accounting from Cleveland State University in 1980.  Like many CSU students, he came from a family of limited means and chose the University because of its affordability.  Steve worked his way through college by first managing a Mr. Hero's and then working in a finance position and taking night classes.  He was hired by Gould Electronics after graduation and was selected for their management development program, which led him to Silicon Valley.