For 38 years, Steven led the growth of businesses domestically and around the world with several Fortune 500 Companies, made acquisitions in Asia and NA, and conducted business in over 30 countries. He has lived in London, England as Country Manager for the UK & Ireland and Tokyo, Japan as Managing Director of Asia and has traveled to over 70 countries. He speaks Japanese, Spanish, some French and learning Portuguese.

Steven R Zirkel currently is the Founder, President and CEO of Blue Everest LLC, a strategic growth consulting, business advising and executive coaching firm to CEO’s, executives and companies. His clients range from large global industrial manufacturers to prominent international social media companies to regional distribution and service companies. Prior to this position, he led companies and businesses with revenues ranging from $100MM to over $3bn.

He serves on the Boards of The Plastek Group, Ohio Guidestone, The Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership & TutorSmart. In 2022, the Plastek Board was named Board of the Year. Steven is Certified in Private Company Governance and as a member of the Private Director Association, is Co-Chairman leading the training for private company governance certification.

Steven has served on the Board of Directors for Owens Corning’s wholly owned subsidiaries in Japan, Korea, and India, American Frame Corp, Paramount Insurance Corporation, American Red Cross, American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, the Planning Commission of Malvern, PA and was past Chairman of the Bowling Green State University’s Schmidthorst College of Business Leadership Council.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Bowling Green State University, attended business graduate school at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and Executive Leadership at The University of North Carolina.

In his executive roles, he has chaired, participated and presented at key industry conferences / symposiums in North America, Europe and Asia. He has been married for 37 years and has two adult sons. Growing up in Chicago, IL, he is an avid Chicago sports fan and currently resides in the Toledo, Ohio area. Leisure activities include fitness, golf, cooking, reading, travel, and in the process of writing his first book.