Steve Preston Net Worth 2026: Career and Public Service

Steven C. Preston was born in 1960 in Janesville, Wisconsin. He was one of five children in a family that alternated between renting and owning their home during his childhood. His father left school after the tenth grade and worked several factory jobs to support the family, and his mother took cleaning jobs in office buildings after having children.

Preston graduated from George S. Parker High School in Janesville. He went on to earn a B.A. in political science from Northwestern University in 1982, and later received an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago in 1985.

Steve Preston Career Profile and Leadership Journey

Steve Preston is an accomplished executive with extensive leadership experience across government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors. He serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Goodwill Industries International, the parent organization supporting more than 150 Goodwill entities throughout the United States and Canada.

Prior to assuming this role in 2019, Preston held senior federal leadership positions, including Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration from 2006 to 2008 and Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development from 2008 to 2009.

His career reflects a consistent ability to manage complex organizations, guide institutional reform, and advance workforce and economic development initiatives.

Early Professional and Executive Background

Preston began his professional career in investment banking and corporate finance. He worked at Lehman Brothers before moving into a senior leadership role at First Data Corporation, where he served as Senior Vice President and Treasurer.

In 1997, he joined ServiceMaster, a Fortune 500 services company, where he advanced to Chief Financial Officer and later Executive Vice President of Strategic Services. During his time at ServiceMaster, Preston managed enterprise financial operations and contributed to performance improvements across major business units, including nationally recognized consumer service brands.

Following his tenure at ServiceMaster, Preston transitioned into executive leadership within the waste and recycling industry. In 2009, he became President of Oakleaf Global Holdings, a waste logistics company, later assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer. He oversaw operational expansion and introduced technology driven solutions to enhance service delivery.

After Oakleaf was acquired in 2011, Preston joined Waste Management as Executive Vice President with responsibility for finance, recycling, and energy services. In this role, he functioned as the company’s principal financial executive while also directing strategic growth initiatives within sustainability focused divisions.

In 2013, Preston was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Livingston International, a global trade services and customs brokerage firm. He led the organization through strategic development efforts and managed operations across international markets.

In subsequent years, he also held a leadership position with Liberty Advisor Group, a consulting firm focused on business transformation and performance improvement, further strengthening his private sector portfolio.

Leadership Career at Goodwill Industries International

Preston assumed leadership of Goodwill Industries International in January 2019. As President and Chief Executive Officer, he oversees the strategic direction of the Goodwill network, which collectively generates billions in revenue to fund workforce training, employment placement, and community based services.

He has emphasized strengthening Goodwill’s social enterprise model by modernizing retail operations, expanding employer partnerships, and increasing access to skills training aligned with labor market demand.

Under Preston’s leadership, Goodwill has focused on innovation, sustainability, and digital workforce readiness. He has championed data driven decision making and the integration of technology to support individuals facing barriers to employment.

Preston has articulated a mission centered on dignity, opportunity, and economic participation, emphasizing that employment plays a critical role in long term stability for individuals and communities.

In addition to his executive responsibilities, Preston serves in leadership and advisory roles across the nonprofit and retail sectors. He is Chair of the NRF Foundation and a member of the National Retail Federation Board of Directors.

His board service also includes educational and community organizations, reflecting a continued commitment to workforce development and social impact.

Role as U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

Preston was appointed Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in June 2008, assuming leadership during the early stages of the national housing and financial crisis. As head of HUD, he managed a large federal department responsible for housing assistance, community development, and fair housing enforcement.

His priorities included stabilizing housing markets, preventing foreclosures, and expanding access to affordable housing.

During his tenure, Preston emphasized accountability and performance management within the department. He introduced a structured action agenda designed to improve operational efficiency and program outcomes.

He also supported expanded collaboration with nonprofit, faith based, and local organizations to strengthen community redevelopment efforts. Preston played a role in overseeing federal financial stabilization efforts through his participation in programs connected to housing market recovery. He concluded his service at HUD in January 2009 following the presidential transition.

Career as U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator

Preston was appointed Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration in July 2006. He assumed leadership at a time when the agency was managing an unprecedented volume of disaster loan applications following major hurricanes.

Preston initiated operational reforms that significantly reduced processing backlogs and improved response times for affected businesses and homeowners.

Beyond disaster response, Preston expanded SBA programs to better serve veterans, reservists, and entrepreneurs in economically distressed communities. He strengthened loan programs, increased outreach, and emphasized entrepreneurship as a tool for job creation.

Internally, he launched employee development initiatives that improved workforce engagement and operational effectiveness. During his tenure, the SBA received national recognition for improvements in workplace performance and organizational culture.

Policy Impact, Governance and Public Sector Expertise

Throughout his public service career, Preston demonstrated a governance approach rooted in financial discipline, measurable outcomes, and cross sector collaboration.

He applied private sector management principles to public institutions, overseeing large federal budgets and complex program portfolios. His leadership emphasized transparency, efficiency, and accountability across both HUD and the SBA.

Preston played a key role in coordinating disaster recovery financing, streamlining interagency processes, and strengthening partnerships between federal agencies and local stakeholders.

His work connected housing policy, small business support, and economic recovery strategies during periods of national challenge. These efforts contributed to improved service delivery and more responsive government operations.

Reputation, Leadership Credibility and Public Trust

Steve Preston is widely regarded as a results driven and principled leader. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration, employee engagement, and clear performance objectives.

Throughout his career, he has been recognized for improving organizational effectiveness and restoring confidence in complex institutions.

His credibility is reflected in continued trust from nonprofit boards, industry organizations, and public institutions. Preston’s combination of corporate, nonprofit, and federal leadership experience positions him as a respected authority in governance, workforce development, and economic policy.

His ongoing leadership at Goodwill Industries International continues to reflect a commitment to public service, ethical management, and measurable social impact.

Steve Preston Net Worth

As of 2026, no reliable public estimate of Steve Preston’s net worth has been published, and major outlets like Forbes or Bloomberg have not reported any figure. Preston derives income from his long career as a corporate executive and nonprofit leader.

He spent decades in finance and management roles, including investment banking, serving as CFO of Fortune 500 companies, and holding senior leadership positions before becoming president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. These roles represent his primary sources of income. Due to the absence of verified disclosures or consistent third-party estimates, his net worth cannot be reliably determined.

FAQs

Who is Steve Preston?
Steve Preston is an American business executive and former U.S. Cabinet official. He currently serves as President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.

What is Steve Preston best known for?
He is best known for leading Goodwill Industries International and for serving as U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development during the 2008 housing crisis.

What companies has Steve Preston worked for?
He has held senior roles at ServiceMaster, Waste Management, Oakleaf Global Holdings, and Livingston International, along with leadership roles in consulting.

Did Steve Preston work in the U.S. government?
Yes, he served as Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration and later as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

What is Steve Preston’s current role?
Since 2019, Steve Preston has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Goodwill Industries International.