Early Life and Education
Steve Lavin was born in San Francisco, California, on September 4, 1964. He grew up in Marin County and attended Sir Francis Drake High School. He graduated from Chapman University in 1988 with a bachelor's degree in communications. He later earned a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 1980.
Rise to Success
Lavin began his career as a corporate attorney before transitioning to business. He is currently the chairman of OSI Group, a US meat processor and the main hamburger supplier to McDonald's. In 2023, he became the chairman of OSI Group, succeeding his father, Sheldon Lavin. He is also the president of Lavin & Gedville in Chicago and chairman of Bank Leumi. He is also a frontier-technology investor via his sons, Michael and Alexander Lavin.
Key Business Strategies
As chairman of OSI Group, Lavin oversees a company that is a leader in the meat processing industry. The company focuses on producing and packaging meat products. Smithfield Foods, an American food company and an industry leader in packaged meats and fresh pork, is also a key player in the industry. Smithfield Foods is owned by WH Group, a Hong Kong-listed meat processing conglomerate. WH Group's acquisition of Smithfield in 2013 for $4.7 billion was the largest Chinese acquisition of an American company at the time.
Philanthropy
Steve Lavin has actively participated in philanthropy throughout his career. He has been involved with organizations like the Jimmy V Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, United Service Organization, Special Olympics, City of Hope, Coaches vs. Cancer, Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, and Wounded Warriors. In 2010, he pledged $35,000 to aid New York City's homeless and hungry. He has raised over $1.5 million for Coaches vs. Cancer and The V Foundation since 2010.
