I grew up on the poor side of Chickasha, Oklahoma. No books in the house. No roadmap. Thirty-five years later, I have built companies, led hundreds of people, and written four books. Here is that story.
Read MoreCEO | COO
Chief AI Officer
Head of AI
Head of Robotics Operations
AI Transformation Director
Executive Recruiter
Author
ABOUT
970-502-7437
steve.p.urban@gmail.com
steve.urban@riderflex.com
Personal Website: steve‑urban.com
Resume: https://shorturl.at/EqVoi
Executive Profile: https://shorturl.at/vsyYy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevepurban/
Amazon Author Page: https://shorturl.at/yAFyd
Books on audio: https://www.youtube.com/@SteveUrbanAuthorAudio
My Career and Business Coaching GPT in the OpenAI GPT Store. Practical first-pass guidance grounded in real recruiting and executive leadership experience:
https://shorturl.at/VaGc2
Chief AI Officer | AI Strategy & Transformation | Robotics Services Executive | CEO | COO | Sales & Operations Executive | Recruiter | Author
I've spent 30 years building, fixing, and scaling businesses from scratch — recruiting firms, robotics companies, law firm operations — with no safety net. Everything I know about leadership I learned with my own money on the line.
I'm an operator. Full P&L ownership up to $80M. Multi-site teams of 200 plus across recruiting, legal services, consumer goods, retail, and robotics. My edge is execution at the intersection of applied AI, robotics operations, talent systems, and operating leadership.
Where I create value:
✅Robotics operations: field service models, technician networks, uptime optimization, scalable national delivery
✅AI and automation adoption that improves speed, quality, and accountability
✅AI governance, risk controls, and responsible deployment at scale
✅AI-enabled talent acquisition, recruiting operations, and performance systems
✅Multi-site operating leadership focused on margin improvement, cost discipline, and execution cadence
Selected results:
✅Reduced time to fill by 40% using AI-enabled recruiting systems
✅Delivered 50% efficiency gains in legal document review through governed AI rollout
✅Improved profitability by 35% through cost resets and workflow optimization
✅Scaled Riderflex to $3M revenue, 4,000 placements, 100 executive searches
✅Built Robo Reliance from concept to national robotics maintenance operation with contracted delivery partners
steve.p.urban@gmail.com
steve.urban@riderflex.com
Personal Website: steve‑urban.com
Resume: https://shorturl.at/EqVoi
Executive Profile: https://shorturl.at/vsyYy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevepurban/
Amazon Author Page: https://shorturl.at/yAFyd
Books on audio: https://www.youtube.com/@SteveUrbanAuthorAudio
My Career and Business Coaching GPT in the OpenAI GPT Store. Practical first-pass guidance grounded in real recruiting and executive leadership experience:
https://shorturl.at/VaGc2
Chief AI Officer | AI Strategy & Transformation | Robotics Services Executive | CEO | COO | Sales & Operations Executive | Recruiter | Author
I've spent 30 years building, fixing, and scaling businesses from scratch — recruiting firms, robotics companies, law firm operations — with no safety net. Everything I know about leadership I learned with my own money on the line.
I'm an operator. Full P&L ownership up to $80M. Multi-site teams of 200 plus across recruiting, legal services, consumer goods, retail, and robotics. My edge is execution at the intersection of applied AI, robotics operations, talent systems, and operating leadership.
Where I create value:
✅Robotics operations: field service models, technician networks, uptime optimization, scalable national delivery
✅AI and automation adoption that improves speed, quality, and accountability
✅AI governance, risk controls, and responsible deployment at scale
✅AI-enabled talent acquisition, recruiting operations, and performance systems
✅Multi-site operating leadership focused on margin improvement, cost discipline, and execution cadence
Selected results:
✅Reduced time to fill by 40% using AI-enabled recruiting systems
✅Delivered 50% efficiency gains in legal document review through governed AI rollout
✅Improved profitability by 35% through cost resets and workflow optimization
✅Scaled Riderflex to $3M revenue, 4,000 placements, 100 executive searches
✅Built Robo Reliance from concept to national robotics maintenance operation with contracted delivery partners
Testimonials
Testimonials from satisfied clients and candidates.
Reviews listed on Riderflex websiteRiderflex
Testimonials provided on LinkedIn regarding Steve's leadership and management.
Written recommendations on LinkedIn.
Reviews listed on google about Riderflex.
Riderflex google reviews
Podcast / Book
Zero to Something, A Novel Inspired by True Events
A fictional story built from real moments in my life. It follows a man who loses almost everything, fights his way back, and tries to hold a family together through divorce, blended parenting, financial setbacks, and the quiet love that steadies him. It’s a story about grit, second chances, and what it takes to go from zero to something. Available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0vK4b8I
Stormwalker's Grit: A Memoir of Struggle and Strength
My story didn’t begin with privilege. It started on the poor side of Chickasha, Oklahoma, in a run-down apartment where the heat didn’t always work and the neighbors yelled through thin walls. After my parents divorced, it was just me and Mom. She worked long hours as a bank teller and came home exhausted, yet she made Hamburger Helper stretch for two nights and always found a way to keep the lights on. Dad was out in the oil fields, drifting in and out. Neither of my parents went to college. We had bare cupboards and hand-me-down coats. But we had grit. That grit—our invisible armor—carried me through a thousand storms. This isn’t a business memoir. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt behind, broken, or beaten down. It’s about getting knocked on your ass and standing back up when no one’s clapping. It’s about figuring out who you are not when the lights are on, but when you’re alone and scared with only the voice whispering, “Don’t quit.”
Learn MoreThe Riderflex Guide 2.0: Mastering Job Interviews
Riderflex Guide 2.0, Mastering Job Interviews is your indispensable companion on the journey to career success. In today's fiercely competitive job market, acing interviews is the key to unlocking your dream job. This comprehensive guide equips you with the essential knowledge and strategies to excel in job interviews. In a world where first impressions matter more than ever, this guide provides the tools you need to stand out and secure coveted employment opportunities. Whether you're a recent graduate entering the workforce or a seasoned pro looking to switch gears, the insights within these pages will prove invaluable. The book's unique format allows you to read it cover-to-cover for a comprehensive understanding or to dive into specific chapters tailored to your needs. From interview preparation and mastering common questions to handling difficult inquiries with confidence, this guide covers it all. You'll also learn how to excel in virtual interviews, build rapport, and leave a lasting impression. Job interviews are your gateway to success, allowing employers to evaluate your qualifications and personality. By adequately preparing, you can significantly boost your chances of success. Let this book be your trusted companion as you navigate the interview landscape, empowering you to make a lasting impression and secure the career you've always desired.
Learn MoreThe Riderflex Guide: Inspiring & Hiring
“The Riderflex Guide: Inspiring & Hiring” presents 85 of the most useful tips from an executive recruiter with more than 30 years of combined experience in management, executive-level leadership, and recruiting.
Learn MoreRiderflex Podcast
Our podcast shares Career Advice & Job Interviewing Tips. In addition, we interview the most successful entrepreneurs, CEO's, and business leaders. Hear them tell the "REAL" stories of what it's like to start and lead businesses. Contact us at: podcast@riderflex.com
Learn MoreBlog
People react to AI in three ways: scared, ignorant, or all in. Behind each reaction is a mindset that will determine how the next five years play out for their career.
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Most people evaluate AI based on what it can do today. The ones who come out ahead are thinking about where it's heading and making moves now.
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After 35 years of interviewing people, I can tell you most candidates blow the easiest question in the interview. Here is exactly how to answer "tell me about yourself" and why it matters more than you think.
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Most companies are using AI to cut headcount. The smart ones are using it to make every person on their team more effective. Here's why the force multiplier approach wins.
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People keep asking me if they should use AI to write their resume. After 30 years of hiring, here is my honest answer.
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Most companies think a long application process filters for serious candidates. It doesn't. It filters for desperate ones. Here's how to fix it.
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The robotics industry is scaling fast, but the field service infrastructure to support it doesn't exist yet. That gap is about to become a serious problem.
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