Steven Kinney
Executive Board Member

Steven Kinney is the founding president of EDCO, the Economic Development Corporation of Oxnard, a thirteen-year-old private non-profit organization devoted to elevating the prosperity of Oxnard-area residents and businesses.  The company has focused on the successful rebuilding of the Oxnard manufacturing base over the last decade, in partnership with the City of Oxnard.

Prior to starting EDCO, Steve worked for the City of Oxnard, first as the director of its redevelopment agency, then as the director of economic development, a position which was ultimately abolished in favor of the new non-profit organization.  He oversaw the planning, development and early operation of Heritage Square in downtown Oxnard, a successful mixed-use project featuring a collection of restored Victorian-era houses from around the Oxnard area.  He also spearheaded the City’s negotiations which resulted in some of the larger retail projects located along the 101 Freeway corridor.

Steve has lived in the Oxnard area since 1987, the first eight years on his sailboat in Channel Islands Harbor, and subsequently in a home in Port Hueneme with his wife Cathy.  He came to California from Hampton, Virginia, where he was the City’s Planning Director.  In that capacity, he managed the planning and development of a historic waterfront restoration project, including the creation of the Virginia History and Aerospace Museum, and started and ran a non-profit downtown festival and events organization for the City.

Steve grew up in Rochester, New York, holds a BA in English Literature from Hamilton College, and Masters degrees in Public Administration and Business Administration.  He is a charter Board member of the UCSB Economic Forecast Project, serves on the Board of the Oxnard/Port Hueneme Boys & Girls Club, and is the Chairman of the St. Johns Regional Medical Center Board of Directors.