The Doer Keeps on Doing 

Steve Goodman (B.S. ’83, M.S. ’85) is a doer. When he sees something that needs to be done, he tackles it, instead of waiting for someone else to handle it. That approach is not surprising for a business owner. In fact, it is essential for success. However, for a college student, the drive is quite unusual.  

Going out on a limb is not new for Goodman. He started his first semester at the University of Houston as a new resident fresh from Chicago, and the culture shock was startling.

“This was 1979, the heyday of Gilley’s and country living,” Goodman said. “Yet Houston was also a booming, fast-growing city, where I found friendly and welcoming people. The first day, I started out knowing nobody, and by the end of the day, I had more new friends than I could count.”

Goodman describes his time living on campus as “a charming experience. I learned an awful lot of life lessons, both inside and outside the classroom.” 

Goodman earned his bachelor’s degree from the Hilton College, and his master’s degree from Bauer College of Business provided him with a comprehensive background in finance. As president of Goodman Financial, a fee-only financial advisory firm with 25 employees, he takes a special interest in helping UH alumni explore the often-intimidating financial management options that they face.

"We step in to help clients, some who are alums, to preserve and grow their hard-earned dollars so that they can have the financial freedom to achieve their goals, gain peace of mind and create their own legacy.” 

His commitment to encouraging others to learn more about financial planning led Goodman and Goodman Financial to sponsor scholarships for both C. T. Bauer College of Business and Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership. The Bauer Scholarships, done in partnership with fellow Life Member, Mike Viator, prioritize accounting and financial planning students, with an additional sum set aside for financial literacy programs. 

Goodman’s involvement with UH Alumni includes serving on the UHAA Board of Directors and the UHAA Finance and Investment Committee in the 1990s through the mid-2000s. He volunteered for the Life Member campaign for over a decade. 

“I have a genuine love for UH, and it’s a big part of why I’m here,” said Goodman. “I’m a proud Life Member, and I do my best to encourage others to join the Alumni Association. Our firm is a recurring sponsor at alumni events, and connecting with other Life Members and getting their feedback really reinforces what a welcoming, entrepreneurial-friendly city this is. UH has been so profoundly important in my life and for so many of our clients and team members. We see this partnership as an opportunity to give back and support the University, its students and fellow alumni.” 

 

This testimonial was provided by a current client of Goodman Financial, Inc. This client was compensated for this testimonial via paid corporate sponsorship. A material conflict of interest exists since this client was compensated.