About Me
Born in Cedar Rapids in 1956, to successful entrepreneurs Richard and Ida Mae Rathje, Steve grew up watching his parents run their construction business from home, six to seven days a week.
After Steve finished high school, he took an entry level job at Cedar Rapids Incorporated.
While working as the Director of Outside Sourcing, Steve discovered a niche in the manufacturing industry. He believed that he could find American suppliers to make the components better, faster and cheaper than the ones that his customers were buying from Mexico and China. In 1992, Steve formed "International Procurement Services" and has provided and will continue to provide Iowans and Americans with job opportunities.