Steve Harwood received a bachelor's degree from Princeton University in 1966 and an MBA from University of Chicago in 1968. From 1968 to 1973, he was employed by Exxon Corporation. He began his leasing career with ITEL Leasing Corporation in 1973. In 1978, he became president of CIS Equipment Leasing Corporation, which grew to be a major lessor of computer and capital equipment. Steve founded the Cypress Companies in 1985.