This page contains my Work History, Professional Affiliations & Volunteer Work, Special Awards, Publications, Speaking & Teaching, Programming Skills, Education, and Personal Info.
WORK HISTORY
Author
Steve LeBel LLC
Muskegon, Michigan 49441
September 2012 – 2024
Writing humorous fantasy novel(s). The first one, titled The Universe Builders: Bernie and the Putty, was published June 2014. The book reached best-seller and top-rated statuses on Amazon.com while winning sixteen awards for excellence in both national and international competition (UniverseBuilders.com/awards/). Working with a group of local writers, we formed a publishing company called Argon Press (ArgonPress.com) through which we publish and promote our work. More recently, we formed an author association called Michigan Authors (MichiganAuthors.com) which we use to organize author events and book promotions. We have a Facebook group of the same name. The final book in the series was published in 2024.
Day Trader / Active Trader
Steve LeBel LLC
Muskegon, Michigan 49441
March 2008 – April 2014
Active trading using custom-written computer strategies for the TradeStation trading platform. Programming with Easy Language (similar to Pascal) to create unique strategies for day trading stocks, options, ETFs, and futures contracts.
President and CEO / Owner
AbleTeam, Inc.
Flint, Michigan 48507
Apr 1997 – Jul 2007
Responsible for overall operation this Internet company that offers web hosting, dedicated servers, colocation services, dedicated email servers, web marketing, and other related Internet services. We serve customers all over the world (Singapore, Australia, South Africa, Europe, South America, as well as USA). This company was formerly named “ActionWeb Services” (see below). Business was sold in July 2007.
President and CEO / Owner
ActionWeb Services
Flint, Michigan 48507
Apr 1997 – Dec 2001
Responsible for overall operation of a start-up company offering a wide range of Internet services, including web page development, web hosting, custom database programming, dedicated access, and Internet marketing services. During the second year of operation, we became the largest and best-respected web development provider in the region, winning major contracts as well as numerous awards for high-quality website design from the American Advertising Federation. The Flint Chamber of Commerce named us their official Internet company and recommended us exclusively to all 2,000 of their members. Achieved ISO 9001 registration, which only four Michigan-based internet companies have done. In December 2001, we sold the web design division to an employee group. Because the name “ActionWeb Services” was included with the sale, we renamed the company “AbleTeam, Inc.”, and business continued under the new name (see above).
President and CEO
Axxon, Inc.
Flint, Michigan 48507
Apr 1993 – Nov 1997
Responsible for overall operation of a start-up company specializing in on-site computer sales, service and network systems. This was conceptualized as a diversification effort by Insight to reduce its dependency on healthcare revenues. The company became very successful, with sales of $2 million in its second year of operation. Satellite offices were established in Saginaw and Troy, Michigan. This is a wholly owned for-profit subsidiary of Insight (see below).
President and CEO
Insight Recovery Centers
Flint, Michigan 48507
Nov 1980 – Nov 1997
Responsible for overall operation of a sub-acute hospital system (non-profit) specializing in substance abuse and mental health services. The organization consists of 2 detox programs, 2 sub-acute residential programs, 3 day treatment programs, 14 outpatient programs, 1 halfway house program, 1 3/4 way house program, and an administrative office. Insight employed a staff of over 300 with a budget of $14 million. These services are provided at 17 locations throughout Eastern Michigan. We also operated treatment programs for 14 hospitals in Michigan and 3 more in Florida, Alabama, and Illinois. Insight has an outstanding reputation for high quality services, having received one of the first “Accreditation with Commendation” awards from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), receiving the first three Gold Seal Licenses awarded by the State of Michigan, as well as recognition by both General Motors and Ford for high-quality cost-effective treatment. In addition, Insight owns and operates Axxon, a wholly owned for-profit subsidiary specializing in computer service and sales (see above).
Director,
Department of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services
Hurley Medical Center
Flint, Michigan 48502
Sept 1977 – Dec 1980
Responsible for administration of the substance abuse programs, including licensing, accreditation, budget and finances, advisory board, program development, and special projects. Subordinates were responsible for detox program, residential program, outpatient program, substance abuse therapist training program, and consultation services.
Administrator
Midwest Respite and Development Center
Davison, Michigan 48423
Dec 1976 – Jul 1977
Responsible for administration of this residential psychiatric program including licensing, accreditation, budget and finances, property management, personnel, special projects, program development, inservice training, business negotiations, advisory board, and other tasks.
Assistant Executive Director
Insight
Flint, Michigan 48502
May 1975 – Dec 1976
Responsible for budget and finances, community affairs, licensing and accreditation, special projects, personnel, program evaluation, records management, and hospital programs for this alcoholism treatment agency.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Michigan Department of Education
Flint, Michigan 48505
Mar 1973 – May 1975
Responsible for caseload of disabled, disadvantaged clients. Duties included counseling, program planning and budgeting, and special project coordination (Job Seeking Skills Workshops, Job Bank, etc.). Caseload specialties included substance abusers, public offenders, and hearing impaired.
Employment Counselor
Michigan Employment Security Commission
Employment Service
Flint, Michigan 48503
Aug 1970 – Mar 1973
Responsible for vocational counseling, testing, and placement assistance. Also provided support services to clients in vocational training programs. Developed innovative personnel selection strategies that proved extremely effective.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & VOLUNTEER WORK
The LeBel Foundation (www.TheLeBelFoundation.org)
Co-Founder (2021), President (2021-present)
Michigan Authors (www.MichiganAuthors.com)
Co-Founder (2013), Administrator (2015-present)
Argon Press (www.ArgonPress.com)
Co-Founder (2013), Administrator (2013-present)
Service Corp of Retired Executives (www.SCORE.org)
Volunteer Counselor (2012-2016)
The Noveleers ()
Co-Founder (2012), Webmaster (2012-2015), Member (2012-2015)
Strategy Traders Forum ()
Co-Founder (2011), Administrator (2011-2013)
Mott Community College – Regional Technology Center
Board Member (2001-07)
GLIMA East
Board Member (2004-07), Wireless Genesee Task Force (2005-07), Member (2004-07)
Genesee Area Skill Center Technology Center – Flint Community Schools
Board Member (2005-07)
Flint Area Advertising Federation
Board Treasurer (2002-04), Board Member (2001-06), Web Chair (2001-06), Member (1998-2007)
Urban League of Flint
Board Member (1990-96), Board Treasurer (1994-96), Board Executive Committee Member (1994-96), Board Finance Committee Chair (1994-96), Member (1990-96), Board Strategic Planning Committee Member (1991-96), Nominating Committee Member (1996-2003), Member (1972-2007)
United Way of Genesee and Lapeer Counties
Allocations Panel (Emergency Needs) Chairman (1990-95) and Member (1989-95), Building and Equipment Committee Member (1991-95), Policies & Procedures Sub-Committee Member (1994), United Way Priorities Task Force Member (1994), Re-Design Committee Member (1992-93)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Substance Abuse Provider Advisory Council, Member (1990-97)
Michigan Health and Hospital Association
Council on Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Services Member (1993-97), DMH / Medicaid Carveout Task Force Member (1994), Membership Services Task Force Member (1992-93)
National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (Washington, DC)
Board Member (1995-98)
Michigan Campaign for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Reform
Co-founder (1994), President (1994-96), Board Member (1994-97), Board Executive Committee Chair (1994-97) and Member (1994-97), Board Advocacy Committee Member (1994-97), Board Membership Committee Member (1994-97), MDPH/CSAS Work Group on Substance Abuse Managed Care, Member (1995-97)
Community Recovery Services
Co-founder (1985), Board Member (1985-97), Board Executive Committee Member (1985-97), Board Organization and Planning Committee Chair (1992-97) and Member (1992-97), Board Finance Committee Chair (1992-94) and Member (1990-97), Board Accreditation Committee Member (1992-95), Board Program Evaluation and Quality Improvement Committee Member (1992-95)
Michigan Association of Program Directors of Substance Abuse
Board Member (1977-80), Member (1977-97), Blue Cross Task Force Member (1989-93)
HealthPlus of Michigan
Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Panel Steering Committee Member (1990-93), Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Panel Credentialing Committee Member (1990-93)
DePaul Health Systems (Milwaukee, WI)
Board Member (1986-90)
Clayton K. Stroup Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint
Co-founder (1992), Board Chairman (1992-93), Board Member (1992-94)
Clayton K. Stroup Foundation
Co-founder (1986), Board Chairman (1986-92), Board Member (1986-92)
Kern Hospital (Warren, MI)
Board Member (1989-92)
International Certification Reciprocity Consortium-Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) (https://internationalcredentialing.org/)
Co-founder (1981), Board Member (1981-84)
Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Specialists (https://mcbap.com/)
Co-founder (1978), Board Chairman (1978-82), Board Member (1978-83), Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) (1978-88)
Michigan Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors
Certification Board, Chair (1977-78) and Member (1976-78), Member (1977-90)
Genesee County Commission on Substance Abuse Services
Technical Advisory Cabinet, Chairman (1984-85) and Member (1978-87)
American College of Healthcare Executives
Member (1987-96)
National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors
Member (1977-88)
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Michigan
Organizational Membership Council, Member (1994-97)
Employee Assistance Professional Association
Member (1981-97)
Michigan Alcoholism and Addiction Association
Member (1975-97)
Association of Mental Health Administrators (Michigan Chapter)
Member (1987-91)
Genesee County Corrections Advisory Board
Member (1982-84)
Genesee County Drug Rehabilitation Council
Member (1972-74)
Michigan Rehabilitation Association
Member (1973-75)
Michigan Personnel and Guidance Association
Member (1971-74)
During 2015, The Universe Builders received 16 awards for excellence, including two Grand Prizes and four Gold Medals.
Full list of awards: www.UniverseBuilders.com/awards
Past President’s Award. Awarded by the Flint Area Advertising Federation by special vote of the past Presidents of the Association. (2006) for contributions to the association and the advertising industry.
Concurrent Resolution of Tribute from the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate. For work in the development of substance abuse treatment programs and credentialing of substance abuse treatment personnel. (June 17, 1982)
Listing in Who’s Who in U.S. Executives (1990, et al.); Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals (1997, et al.)
Other Awards. Numerous awards for active involvement in various non-profit and community issues and causes.
The Universe Builders: Bernie and the Time Lords by Steve LeBel, Argon Press, (September 2019) (young adult fantasy novel)
The Universe Builders: Bernie and the Wizards by Steve LeBel, Argon Press, (May 2017) (young adult fantasy novel)
The Universe Builders: Bernie and the Lost Girl by Steve LeBel, Argon Press, (May 2016) (young adult fantasy novel)
The Universe Builders: Bernie and the Putty by Steve LeBel, Argon Press, (June 2014) (young adult fantasy novel)
“A Need Hierarchy for Substance Abuse Agencies” by Stephen N. LeBel, The Catalyst, (April 1983) (article)
“Substance Abuse Treatment: A Welcome Service if Planning is Right” by Stephen N. LeBel, et. al. Michigan Hospitals, (April 1982) (article)
Have conducted numerous workshops and conferences on a variety of different topics, primarily in the fields of internet technology, mental health, and management processes. Topics have included web page development, online marketing, healthcare reform, strategic planning, non-profit entrepreneurialism, personnel selection, organizational dynamics, corporate culture, professional credentialing, and general management issues. More recent presentations have been in the area of writing and publishing with a special emphasis on the use of social media.
Programming Languages (current and former): Easy Language, Pascal, dBASE, HTML, Perl, PHP, MySQL, and Basic.
Master’s Degree – Guidance and Counseling – (1976)
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Bachelor of Science Degree – Psychology – (1970)
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
High School Diploma – College Prep – (1966)
Mona Shores High School
Muskegon, Michigan
Born April 7, 1948. Raised in Muskegon, Michigan.
Married with one child.
Current address: 3442 Pigeon Hill Court, Muskegon, Michigan 49441
OTHER
Name variations and common misspellings: Steve Le Bel, Steve LaBelle, Steve La Belle, Steve Le Belle, Steve LeBell, Steve La Bel, Steve La Bell, Steven LeBel, Steve Label, Steve Lebel, Stephen N LeBel, Steven N LeBel, Steve N LeBel, Steve LaBel, Steve Label.