Stephen Kleinhans:
CLASS OF 1967
Lyons Township High SchoolClass of 1967
La grange, IL
Arizona State University - AccountancyClass of 1971
Tempe, AZ
Arizona State UniversityClass of 1971
Tempe, AZ
Glendale Community CollegeClass of 1969
Glendale, AZ
Stephen's Story
Graduated from Glendale Community College 1969, and Arizona State 1971. Moved to Ca in 1983. Joined Big D Supply in 1983. CEO in 1990. Married Donna Abernathy in 1981. Donna was the love of my life! Donna was an R.N. from Festus, Mo. (St. Louis area). 3 kids, Andrew 36, Matthew 33, and Kelly 32. Lived in Huntington Beach Ca., until 2013, a block from the water - loved it, but the new California State income tax rates forced us to move to Phoenix, Donna passed away suddenly in 2018 from Pancreatic cancer. 13 days from diagnosis to death. A shock to us all. A real life change to myself and my family and so many friends. Taking care of my family and my business keeps me going. My great friends and my religious beliefs are also huge contributors.
I play a lot of golf, usually three times a week. Play with Tom Cisar, (LT Class of '66). whenever possible. We also sponsor a young lady on the LPGA tour, Sarah Schmelzel. Have played with her many times. She is a future super star.
Miss the Chicago area people. Miss the food. Don't miss the weather or the bugs. A trip every other year to La Grange keeps me happy.
Travel the Southwest often with 30 locations in 5 Southwestern states. My company is now the largest flooring installation supply distributor in the US and the 17th largest flooring distributor in the US, It has been a fun ride with a lot of work taking a $3M company to over $125,M in annual sales. I have cut my work schedule down to 20 hour...Expand for more
s a week or so in the past two years. Would have retired this year but without Donna, I needed to keep busy. My first job was as a paperboy when I was 8. I always have had a job so it might be impossible to stop. When you own the company, you can stop whenever you want. Don't think I ever will.
Have three grandsons and two granddaughters, Owen born in December 2009, Zoe born August 2011, Caleb born in August 2013, and Baylee born in 2017, to our part time Pastor son, Matthew who has now joined the company in charge of purchasing, and daughter-in-law Nichole.(UCLA Grads) Happy, smart and sweet, just like their parents. My newest grandson Mael, age 12, became part of the family when my son Andrew married Mae'ls mother Pearl two years ago..Mael is a natural athlete.
My son Andrew (Concordia Grad) works in the business and is doing a great job taking over many of my responsibilities. The more he does the less I have to. My daughter Kelly (Cal State Fullerton) just joined the company in personal after teaching Jr High math for 10 years. Both Matthew and Kelly have their Masters degrees. Andrew doesn't have the time do continue his education but he is getting a better education managing our 225 employees and our 29 locations.
Just bought a house in Pine canyon up in Flagstaff. More golf in the future.
Hope everyone is doing well. It is important to enjoy every day. .
Our 55th is coming up in a couple of years. Hope to see you all there.
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