Alumni Spotlights

Steve Lyons '10

Steve Lyons '10

Employer / Job Title
Vine Line Logistics, Llc
President

LinkedIn Profile
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenlyons1988/

1. Tell us about your journey since graduation. 
I was interviewing with a large tech company for 6 months. Flew out to Boulder, CO for the in-person, all day panel interview, only to find out that when I got back to Grand Rapids, MI that they closed out the position altogether and I lost my opportunity. I learned early on not to put too many eggs into one basket. I turned around and started doing sales for a friend's start up business called Crystal Clean Auto Detailing. I did well selling on a commission-only basis, that I ended up being promoted to a role that would handle the retail side of the business. After 2 and a half years, I decided to join my Dad's logistics and produce distribution company. Before my first day in the new role, I asked him, "What would you like for me to do tomorrow?". His reply, "Go learn everything." That is exactly what I did. From the Sales / Marketing, Finance, Operations and Human Resources departments, I learned enough to be dangerous. I ended up working out a plan to expand the current logistics operations and honestly, so much happened from that point on. We acquired our own trucking assets, invested in new technology, rebranded the company, opened up a second facility, and kept listening to our customers to figure out the next steps. We merged with Heeren Llc in Comstock Park, MI in 2018. In October of 2021, we ended up spinning off from the group of companies and landed in Downtown Grand Rapids, MI with a large enough office to expand our logistics team. I was promoted to President of the company in December of 2021. Come full circle, I now look out my office window and get a beautiful view of my alma mater.

2. Share a favorite Grand Valley memory. 
One of my favorite memories was living with 3 of my best friends in college at an apartment together. We met in the dorms and joined a fraternity together. 

3. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received? 
Build relationships. When it feels like everything is falling apart, those closest to you will encourage and help you through your toughest days.

4. List three words you would use to describe your Grand Valley experience. 
1) Opportunistic
2) Community
3) Challenging

5. What difference would you like to make in the world? 
I want to leave it better than I found it. I can do that by loving others in a way that is pleasing to the Lord.  

Interest Area(s)
Marketing, Supply Chain Management

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Page last modified June 6, 2022