Economics

Drawing upon more than 45 years of practical experience in the water infrastructure industry, Steven Jay Grossman obtained a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree before becoming a VISTA volunteer, where he served the Appalachian communities in Washington County, Virginia. Enlightened by this experience, he was inspired to explore a non-traditional career route outside of the private sector, where he has since applied his plethora of talents that he acquired during his time in academia. After spending time as a volunteer, he served as a member of the program staff for ACTION in Washington, DC, from 1972 to 1983 and then became the assistant director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency from 1983 to 1988. During this time, he simultaneously served as the chair of the Ohio Emergency Response Commission for one year.

Ascending through the ranks of his career, Mr. Grossman became the executive director of the Ohio Water Development Authority from 1988 to 2017, where under his leadership, over $12 billion of water and wastewater loans were made. In retirement, among his many activities, he has been the coordinator for the Small Community Water Infrastructure Exchange since 2018. He attributes his success to his several mentors who have inspired him throughout his life, including his children who have all been U.S. Peace Corps volunteers in Latin America.

Among the notable highlights of his career, Mr. Grossman is proudest of his successful 1994 campaign to restore a tax levy benefiting schools. Likewise, he thoroughly enjoys traveling with his wife and spending time in the present moment. He finds the most rewarding aspect of his career to be witnessing individuals work together and create progress and success. He notes that it is not a concrete object that is most compelling, but rather the work that is being accomplished in order to make a dream into a reality.

As a testament to his success, Mr. Grossman has been featured in many Who’s Who publications, including the second and third editions of Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders in America and the 21st edition of Who’s Who in the Midwest.

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