David E. Steele : Managing PrincipalThe Steele Group

Dave Steele is the founder and managing principal; he focuses primarily on the strategic direction and development of the organization's consulting services portfolio in all sectors with particular expertise and emphasis in the energy space. Dave's career has involved senior level corporate positions as well as significant experience in entrepreneurial roles. He has led the creation and success of two start-up ventures and recently led a private equity funded turnaround/growth venture that was acquired by a New York based consortium of blue chip investors.

Dave's corporate background is one of broad, deep, functional and strategic leadership experience in all areas of the public utility and energy services space. His positions have ranged from front- line supervision to officer level responsibility; he has held senior leadership assignments in every area of the customer relationship management chain, including sales and marketing, billing, accounts receivable, call center operations and economic development. Additionally, during a 20 year tenure with a Midwestern public utility, he conceptualized and formed an alliance to create a start-up outsourcing company for remittance processing; this organization recently celebrated its 10th year of operation. His utility career leadership positions have ranged from front-line supervisor to officer level responsibility.

Dave is a past Chairman of the American Gas Association, Edison Electric Institute Customer Service Committee, founding member and past Chairman of the Midwest Energy Association's Customer Energy Association's Customer Relations Committee, and founding member and past Chairman of the Indiana Gas Association, Indiana Electric Association Customer Services Committee. Dave currently serves as a customer management advisor to the Gerson Lehrman Group Councils headquartered in New York City.

Dave is an award winning university faculty member at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business in Indianapolis, where he lectures an honors course on free market economies and the business principles applied to create wealth. He has twice been awarded the Schuyler F. Otterson Award for teaching excellence; academic year 1999 & 2006; 21 Club Distinction 2007 for being instrumental in helping students become successful and 2008 Favorite Professor Distinction by Intercollegiate Student-Athletes.

Dave's professional development includes residency curricula at New York Stock Exchange Euronext, New York Mercantile Exchange, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Columbia University, Center for Creative Leadership, Babson College, Sales Performance International.

He is also a member of The Alliance, a professional group of senior executives affiliated and led by emeritus status faculty members at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business; members are selected their ability to address and create new methods of identifying and solving problems commonly encountered by entrepreneurs.

Dave is a veteran of the US Army; serving overseas in the Intelligence Corps (active duty) and retiring from a Washington, DC headquartered strategic intelligence detachment of the US Army Reserve. He has received the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hourglass and Joint Service Commendation Medal.

In his free time Dave can be found on the links, gardening, reading or cheering on his beloved Indiana Pacers.