Steven Thomas Halverson: Life at the Convergence of Business and Civic Leadership

Steven Thomas Halverson: Life at the Convergence of Business and Civic Leadership

Some leaders build companies, while others build communities. The rare few who do both leave a legacy that uplifts everyone around them. Steven Thomas Halverson is one such leader, a man whose vision helped shape Florida’s future through his work in both corporate boardrooms and civic councils. His story reflects resilience, leadership, and an enduring belief that business and community must progress hand in hand.

Halverson was born on August 29, 1954, in Enid, Oklahoma. His early years were marked by challenges that would shape his character. The son of a welder, he witnessed firsthand the struggles of working families, including a mining strike that forced his family to relocate to Minnesota. These experiences instilled in him persistence, adaptability, and a sense of responsibility, qualities that later defined his professional and civic life.

Determined to turn hardship into purpose, Halverson pursued higher education with focus and drive. He earned a B.A. from St. John’s University in 1976, followed by a Juris Doctor from American University in 1979. Committed to continuous growth, he later completed executive programs at Dartmouth, Wharton, Kellogg, and Berkeley Law. This strong academic foundation equipped him to build a career that bridged law, governance, and business at the highest levels.

From Law to Corporate Leadership

Halverson began his career in Washington, D.C., as a lawyer, contributing to the drafting of the American Bar Association’s Model Procurement Code and co-authoring Federal Grant Law. He also served as an Adjunct Professor of Law before transitioning to the private sector. In the 1990s, he joined The Haskell Company in partnership with Preston Haskell and became its CEO in 2000. Under his leadership, the company expanded internationally, secured major new business, and launched an award-winning innovation center. By the time of his retirement in 2019, Haskell had grown into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, an enduring testament to his vision and leadership.

After leaving Haskell, Halverson became Chairman of Gilbane, Inc., a 154-year-old global construction and real estate company. As the first non-family chairman in its history, he guided the firm’s $8 billion operations with a focus on innovation, responsible growth, and long-term sustainability.

His influence extended across the construction industry as a whole. Halverson chaired the Construction Industry Roundtable, the Design-Build Institute of America, and the National Center for Construction Education and Research. He was also elected to the National Academy of Construction. His expertise in governance was recognized through board service with CSX Corporation and Guidewell Mutual Holding Company, as well as prior service on the board of PSS World Medical. A certified director and Fellow of the National Association of Corporate Directors, he also earned advanced certifications in ESG governance from Berkeley Law.

Commitment Sparks True Leadership

Halverson’s leadership was not confined to the corporate world. He became one of Florida’s most influential civic leaders, chairing organizations such as the Florida Council of 100, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Jacksonville Civic Council, Teach for America Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Symphony, and the United Way of Northeast Florida. His courage and integrity were evident when he publicly supported expanding Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance to protect LGBTQ individuals, standing firm on the principle that leadership requires both vision and empathy.

Over the years, Halverson’s contributions have been widely recognized. He received the Prime Osborn Distinguished Business Leader Award, was inducted into the First Coast Business Hall of Fame, and was honored with the OneJax Humanitarian Award. In 2025, he received the Teach for America Lasting Legacy Award. Consistently named one of Florida’s most influential business leaders, he has become a model of how corporate leadership and civic responsibility can reinforce one another.

Throughout his journey, Steven Thomas Halverson has demonstrated that true leadership is not only about building companies but also about strengthening the communities they serve. His career stands as proof that business success and social responsibility are not opposing paths but parallel ones, and his legacy continues to inspire both industries and communities alike.