Meet Steve Owens! Steve loves his position as the first communications manager for the City of Greer and it shows! Everyone who meets Steve is welcomed with a smile and friendly conversation. Steve has a light hearted sence of humor he loves to tell jokes and laugh. Steve, we are so glad you are #hereinGreer.
I’m a native of Fayetteville, N.C. and attended the University of North Carolina before graduating from Methodist University with a degree in English. My career has included time as a sports writer, public relations manager for the Putt-Putt Golf franchise, communications director for Presbyterian College and currently communications manager for the City of Greer. I’ve lived in South Carolina for 35 years now and have been married for 33 of those years. I enjoy bad jokes (especially puns) and thoroughly believe that laughter is the best medicine, particularly when life hands you lemons. A friend once referred to me as “the biggest flake this side of the Kellogg’s plant.” I took it as a compliment.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I met my wife Debbie when we were college freshmen in 1980. We were married in 1987 and have a grown daughter, Mia, along with two dogs and a cat.
Q: Please tell us about your current career. What do you love most about what you do?
As the first communications manager for the City of Greer I was allowed to create the office. When you can do the things you love in a community that you love, there’s nothing better.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Anything in Greer Station, but I’m a meat and three (or four or five) guy so Laurenda’s and the South House are at the top of my list.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Since 2007, but it probably seems like a lot longer to some people.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Mayor Rick Danner. I’ve always been fascinated by someone’s motivation for running for political office, especially at the municipal level. The salary and benefits certainly don’t properly compensate the countless hours he puts into the job, so it must truly be a love of the community and its residents. He has interesting stories too, but that’s for another time.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A box seat at Wrigley Field for a day game. I’ve been a Chicago Cubs fan since I was a kid and have been to Wrigley Field many times. It’s a magical place.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I’ve been looking for a new favorite since Game of Thrones ended. For now, it’s a lot of baseball (even the Korean Baseball Organization).
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Never allow ego to stand in the way of accomplishing goal. Social media has cultivated a very self-centered environment, but accolades will come naturally with a job well done.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Spending a week (or more) watching and photographing the Northern Lights in Alaska or Norway.
Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
My playlist includes many bands from the 1960s to 1990 — the music of my formative years. The Beatles, The Eagles, Fleetwod Mac, Aerosmith, Pat Benatar, Runrig, Tom Petty, they all take me to a happy place.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
The Greer Heritage Museum. It’s THE place for nostalgia.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Celebrity doesn’t impress me, so I would invite any veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces to thank him or her for serving our country.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The new streetscape in Greer Station. The shared street design on Trade Street is rare in South Carolina, but it is designed to bring people together. That suits Greer perfectly.
{Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?:14:label}
{Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?:14}
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I’m considering retiring in a coastal community in Central American. The world is open to expats and there are so many opportunities to make a difference in communities there. If I can learn more Spanish than taco, burrito and cerveza it may actually happen someday.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Sitting on the South Rim of the Canyon at dawn helps put your existence into perspective.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Month: December because everyone is full of the Christmas spirit. Holiday: Groundhog Day because… why not? Single Day: May 9 because it’s my anniversary.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My pets. I’m reminded of the saying, “I’d like to be the person my dog thinks I am.” I’m trying.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
www.cityofgreer.org. Wait, you mean the OTHER home? Security, love and weekend chores.
