Steve Howell

Steve Howell, Best Friends' Chief Operations Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for all aspects of finance and accounting, human resources and canyon (Sanctuary and related) operations. He joined Best Friends in April 2018 after serving as the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at the Nature Conservancy, the world's largest conservation organization. During his 20-plus years at the conservancy, he managed operations for an organization that grew rapidly and expanded globally, more than tripling in size and operating in more than 800 locations in 40 countries.

Prior to his tenure at the conservancy, Steve worked for the global accounting and consulting firms of what are today Deloitte Touche and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Initially in Houston, and later in Washington, D.C., he was a certified industry expert in the electric utility and not-for-profit industries. Among his not-for-profit clientele were organizations such as the Smithsonian Institution, the National Wildlife Federation, the American Diabetes Association and the International Monetary Fund.

Steve is a graduate of the University of Texas and a currently licensed CPA. He holds a Chartered Global Management Accountant designation, and serves on the board and committees of several not-for-profit organizations. He lives in Arlington, Virginia, with his wife of 25 years, three children and one unruly, but lovable dog.