The Malibu Times sent a questionnaire to all 10 Malibu City Council candidates. They were all given the same time frame to respond and were limited to 75 words per answer. Two profiles will be printed, in alphabetical order, each week until the April 1 issue. Election Day is April 13. The full list of candidates’ profiles will be viewable online at www.malibutimes.com. Under the tab, “Election News,” beginning April 1.
Name: Steve Scheinkman
Birth date: June 27, 1953
How long have you lived in Malibu?
I have been riding my horses, hiking Malibu’s trails and enjoying its beaches for 30 years. I moved my residence to Malibu in 2006.
What is your education and employment history?
Graduate of George Washington University with a BBA in accounting; qualified as CPA; president, CEO and Board of Directors member of Transtar Metals (1999-2007, sales of $300 million, 450 employees); president, COO, CFO, controller and Board of Directors member of Macsteel Service Centers USA (1982-1999, sales of $1.2 billion, 1,500 employees); auditor/financial consultant for KPMG (1979-1981); auditor, tax practitioner for Hoberman Miller & Co (1975-1970); member of several companies’ Board of Directors (2006-2008).
Why are you running for city council?
Malibu is at a crossroads striving to balance the evolving needs of its residents while keeping its promise to protect and preserve its natural resources and rural characteristics.
I believe I can provide the experienced leadership Malibu needs to maintain that balance, while helping it implement solutions that will keep our water clean, protect our homes from fire, provide more educational and recreational opportunities for our children, and deliver needed long-term financial management.
What makes you qualified to be on city council?
I have a unique, broad-based background of both business and civic experience.
I managed a $1.2 billion business where I successfully led programs that protected our environment, provided financial oversight, attracted and retained talented staff and maintained effective working relationships with a variety of governmental agencies. Malibu is faced with many of these same issues today. I also have a record of 17 years in community activism, which I have continued since moving to Malibu.
What, in your opinion, are the three most important issues facing the city at this time?
Public safety and general welfare: protecting our homes from fire; cleaning up polluted waters; traffic safety, including safe access to schools for our kids; protecting rural characteristics and charm of all Malibu neighborhoods.
Fiscal responsibility: implement long-term financial planning to manage our $45 million of debt and increasing operating costs.
Providing for our children: expanded facilities for athletic and educational events; getting Malibu’s kids their fair share from the school district.
Have you been involved with any organizations, homeowners associations, city committees or other community groups? If so, how are/were you involved and for how long?
I have served as a member of the Malibu Park Homeowners Association; the Malibu Park Safety Coalition; as a member of the Shark Fund and PTSA; as a parent volunteer of AYSO and Little League; as a Board Member of the Hidden Hills Homeowners Association (approximately 2,000 residents); the Hidden Hills Trails Committee; as a vice president of the Hidden Hills Horseman and as a member of the Sherwood Forrest Homeowners Association. I also support environmental groups.
What experiences have you had dealing with budgets? How about legislation?
For the past 30 years, in my positions as a CPA, CFO, COO, president and CEO, I have prepared, reviewed and been held responsible for implementing budgets. I have managed budgets for a billion-dollar company with 1,500 employees and 30 locations across the U.S.
Legislative experience includes interfacing with lobbyists, direct meetings with representatives of federal and state agencies, and participation in organized groups seeking to influence legislation.
How many people are in your immediate family, regardless of whether they live at home? Feel free to mention their names and ages.
My immediate family includes my wife Nina and our five children who range in age from 16 to 32. I am also very close to my 89-year-old mother who spends a lot of time with us in Malibu, as well as my two brothers, one of whom is a New York State Supreme Court judge and the other a lawyer in Orange County. Our extended family includes our two horses and dog.