“We see the benefit and the importance that all people have access to technology. That is the only way we will bridge the digital divide,” said Hill, 43, a licensing executive for Microsoft, where he develops world licensing and pricing for the multi-billion dollar company based in Seattle, Wash.
Hill works for Microsoft from its St. Louis County offices in Creve Coeur. He is one of 26 Microsoft licensing executives in the world.
“I am responsible for making very complex licensing agreements and for negotiating with legal, purchasing and information technology executives in about 15 states,” Hill said.
“I am working on $1 million deals each day with Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 companies in 15 states. I would say it’s an incredible responsibility,” Hill said.
Hill describes himself as a tough negotiator.
“I try to work with my clients to do what’s right for the customer and what’s good for Microsoft,” Hill said.
Besides serving Microsoft, Hill donates his business savvy to the community, providing tutorial services, computer technology and information technology services to the underprivileged and under-served, especially young African Americans in the greater St. Louis area.
Hill has been instrumental in providing computer hardware and software and other information technologies to the Black Data Processors Association, the Greater St. Louis Urban League, Computer Village and various high school and college students and budding, business professionals.
“Steven has helped us out a great deal through donations of Microsoft hardware and software and his personal time and money through a firm dedication to bridge the digital divide in St. Louis,” said Don Holt, president and executive director of Computer Village, a St. Louis-based, non-profit, computer-training consortium for Missouri and Illinois located at 4411 Newstead Ave.
Computer Village offers continuing training in computer technologies for students, families, educators, professionals and businesses, Holt said.
“We have over 450 students and clients attend classes monthly at various locations. We introduce them to computing and application usage. Steven is a big part of that,” Holt said.
Holt noted that Hill takes a hands-on approach at Computer Village, serving as a regular motivational speaker and role model for aspiring, young African Americans.
“He’s always looking around for an opportunity to help our young kids achieve,” Holt said. “He donates Microsoft computers, his own time and money. His work is very meaningful and a good example to the young kids.”
Holt also credits Hill for furnishing the Computer Village facility. “He donated furniture from the old Microsoft offices. He’s incredible and a really good guy,” Holt said.
To keep the information technology and education gap from widening, Hill talks with area businesses, civic leaders and various politicians to develop programs for teens and young adults.
Specifically, Hill works with teenagers to prepare them for an annual national high school computer competition as well as with young adults involved with the Black Data Processors Association.
Lovis Daniels, president of the Black Data Processors Association, said Hill is responsible for Microsoft sponsorship for her association as well as hands-on training in business and information technology.
“Steven is a good man and knows what the real needs are in the community. He’s a real roll-up-the-sleeves kind of guy when it comes to working with our teens and young adults,” Daniels said.
Daniels reports that Hill is helping local St. Louis area students gear up for this year’s national high school computer competition in Detroit.
“I see hundreds of kids benefiting from the information technology that Microsoft has to offer. We cannot afford for any of our kids and young adults to be left behind,” Hill said.
“We see kids that have not been exposed to computers and, for that matter, enough math and science classes. We cannot afford for our children to be left behind in these core subjects,” Hill said.
“If we do not expose our kids early to computers and information technology, we are going to leave a generation of kids behind,” Hill said.
“It’s not about exposing them to a particular technology. I think it’s a much bigger issue. I think exposing our kids to high-level programs and complex problems helps them in their development. Our kids should be exposed to all technologies,” Hill said.
Before joining Microsoft, Hill worked for Artisoft Inc. of Tucson, Ariz. as an inside sales manager and account manager.
A Chicago native, Hill holds a bachelor’s degree in management and business administration from Park College in Parkville, Mo. Hill is an Air Force veteran, having served in England and the U.S. as a customer service supervisor. He is married and has two daughters.
