Steve Zambo - Connect - Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Biography
Steven F. Zambo
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Steve graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran High School in 1979.
Later he received an Associated of Arts Degree from Wisconsin Lutheran College and in 1983 a
Bachelors of Arts Degree from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
His career in corporate marketing, non-profit advancement
and development, the federal government, and multi-media
creation and distribution has provided many unique and
challenging opportunities. He is a communicator
who enjoys using all possible means to cost effectively
educate, encourage, entertain, and enlighten worldwide
audiences.
Currently, Steve serves as the Director of Media
Communications for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran
Synod (WELS). In this role he has been blessed to use
existing and emerging technologies to share the message of Jesus Christ. There he writes,
produces, and directs the popular Telly Award winning television series Fifth Pew from the
Front. “Working on Fifth Pew has been a great blessing to me. Many people have told me that it
is about time that there is a program that looks at life as a Christian from both a humorous and
thought-provoking perspective” commented Steve. He went on to say “Having David Ruprecht
play Brandon Taylor is more than we could ask for. He brings such life, humor, and believability
to the role.” Steve also creates publicity, media, and other resources for various WELS boards,
commissions, and areas of ministry. Zambo says, “One of my greatest joys has been to write and
produce the Proclaim Peace Through Jesus media presentation that is being shown in
congregations throughout the synod. The program challenges all Christians to take personal
responsibility in our all-important work of sharing Jesus with everyone.”
Through his work at WELS, Steve is also developing a Web-based media distribution network
that will assist in efforts to communicate effectively and timely with members and the world at
large. He conducts workshops and seminars on various aspects of communications and media
production.
In his role as president of Steven F. Zambo Productions, Inc., Steve has
developed award-winning independent feature films and media-related
tools for both non-profit and for-profit clients. His company also creates
and implements public relations and marketing programs for businesses
and organizations. The company received 17 Telly Awards and various
other honors for work in communication, public relations, and
entertainment. Steve serves as a charter member of the International
Academy of Visual Arts and as a frequent Telly and Davey Awards judge.

Previously, Steve served as Media Administrator and Advancement Administrator at WELS
Lutherans for Life. There, he launched Compass Productions; developed, produced, and
managed a national media campaign; and created and oversaw the Alpha to Omega fundraising
effort. He also produced Life: A Gift of Love, a multi-media presentation on various life issues
affecting today’s society. In 1996, Steve was named WELS Communicator of the Year by
Northwestern Publishing House for creating and developing the popular Kids Connection
television series. Steve has also been extensively trained by Robert F. Sharpe and Company in
the area of planned and deferred giving.
Prior to his work there, Steve lived in Washington, D.C., where he was appointed Director of
Private Sector Initiatives in the administration of President George H. W. Bush. Steve
represented the President on small business, commerce,
trade, and rural development issues. He developed
cooperative agreements between the federal government and
major corporations, coordinated the events surrounding
National Small Business Week, and produced media relating
to various issues facing American business. At 28, Steve was
one of the youngest high ranking appointments in the Bush
Administration.
Before moving to Washington, Steve was Director of
Marketing for Country Wicker, Inc. There, while working closely with his wife, Elizabeth, they
took the direct sales “party-plan” company from a local distributor to first a regional, then a
national company with sales representatives in more than 40 states and Canada. Steve and
Elizabeth developed the marketing and publicity materials for the company as well as developing
and conducting motivational workshops across the nation.
A wonderful training ground for the various opportunities that Steve has been given in life came
while serving as Associate Director of Development and Admission at Wisconsin Lutheran
College (WLC) in the mid 1980s.
At four different times in his life, Steve was employed by the United States Senate. The first
came when he was appointed a page at 16 years old. Later, he served as an intern, then a staff
assistant, and finally as a Director of State Government and Public Relations. These experiences
gave Steve the opportunity to develop and draft legislation, investigate and solve constituent
problems, coordinate appearances, and represent the Senator at meetings and events.
Steve has served in various volunteer capacities. Currently he is the President of Salty Earth
Pictures. Salty Earth is a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging and producing media
that challenges the mind, lightens the heart, and strengthens the soul. He has served on the
boards of WELS Kingdom Workers, Camp Philip, and WELS Communication Services. He
served as a member of the Seeking Our Neighbor (SON) Committee for WELS and in various
positions at the congregational level. He currently serves as a member of the church council and
chairman of the Parish Education Board at St. Paul in Lake Mills, Wisconsin.

Steve has coordinated and managed the “advance team work” of
several presidential visits to Wisconsin. He has had many
opportunities to work with the national and local media while
coordinating appearances by Ronald Reagan, Charlton Heston,
Bart Starr, Dan Quayle, Barbara Bush, and other celebrities and
prominent individuals. Recently, Steve has been honored to be
asked to serve on the board of directors of a foundation that is
being organized and dedicated to supporting the work of spreading
the gospel around the world.
Steve lives in Lake Mills with his wife of 21 years, Elizabeth, and their
five children: Benjamin, Jessica, Ashley, Nathan, and Peter. There they
stay active in political affairs and well as the kid’s activities and projects
at Lakeside Lutheran High School.