Steve Shay

My background didn't follow a traditional path, but the journey helped build the skills I use today. I have experience in multiple fields, including automotive, banking, real estate, equine and animal care. I've started my own micro businesses, and worked with corporate teams, small businesses, and nonprofits across e-commerce, event based sales, and office environments. 

Early on, I started with a couple of years at community college, then spent several years working before completing a bachelor's degree in Equine Business Management. During that time, I did freelance tech work for an automotive sales department, helped a commercial real estate developer improve customer forms, configured post-sale software, and completed several data entry contracts. It was through this work that I developed an appreciation for good data and well-designed processes.

While in college, I took on freelance projects building and repairing Microsoft Access databases for community members, businesses, and the college barn. I later pursued a master's degree in computer science, completing the equivalent of a bachelor's degree along with additional coursework before family circumstances led me to step away. That experience strengthened my foundation in data systems, programming, and logical problem-solving.

I tend to see things in context. An individual decision, process, or piece of data rarely exists in isolation, and understanding how it relates to the bigger picture is an important part of how I think. I want to understand the objective, how the pieces connect, and whether the details support the outcome we're trying to achieve.

My thinking is analytical but I generate ideas easily. I don't approach a project with every step already mapped out. I start with an understanding of the intended outcome, explore possibilities, and adjust my thinking as I proceed.

I'm particularly attentive to things that don't quite add up like conflicting information, unclear requirements, missing distinctions, or decisions that could create unintended consequences elsewhere. This perspective shapes how I approach my work. I want the individual pieces to make sense, the overall approach to hold together, and the decisions we make to support what the business is actually trying to achieve.

While a personaliity test can't answer everything about a person, we can still find interesting patterns and a better understanding of what matters.

Clifton Strengths

Strategic, Ideation, Adaptability, Learner, Intellection

Myers-Brigg

INTP - Analytical, Original, Open-Minded, Curious, Objective

Insights Discovery 

Supporting Coordinator - Focused, Decisive, Problem Solving, Accommodating

I am an avid animal lover and have always had a special relationship with dogs. I enjoy taking hikes in the woods and going on camping trips. In the summer of 2025 my dog, Memphis, and I took a 3 month car camping trip across the northern states and spent a couple months exploring Washington and Oregon.

I'm originally from NY but grew up in Southern California, and have lived in 4 other states since. A few years ago I lived in an RV with two large dogs and three cats for 9 months while exploring the East coast. That was an adventure.

I try to learn new things whenever I can, but I'm not always successful. I'm currently failing at learning to play the guitar, and have recently taken up Tai Chi. Beyond that I enjoy curling up with a good book or settling in with some popcorn for movie night.