Biography
Steve Kuhlman started working in the family business part-time during high school. Following graduation from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a major in Aviation, Steve joined the company full-time as Marketing Manager. Steve holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license and is type rated in the company's Beechcraft Premier business jet. In 1992, Steve helped launch Acme’s catalog business under the brand "Tool Crib of the North." He was named Vice President of the catalog division in 1995. In early 1999, the Tool Crib of the North website was launched and later the same year was sold to Amazon.com. Steve served as Director of Amazon.com’s “Tools & Hardware” business from 1999 until 2002. He returned to Acme Tools as Vice President in 2002. Acme Electric was founded in 1948 by Steve’s grandfather, George Kuhlman. The company remains a family owned and operated business. Steve's father, Dan, is President and his brother Paul is Vice President of Merchandise Operations. Today, Acme Tools employs over 450 people in 14 operations located in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa consisting of ten retail locations, Acme Rents and Acme Equipment. Steve and his wife, Melissa, have a son and two daughters. Acme Tools joined Evergreen in September 1991. They have 49 Certified Tool Specialists, four Certified Operations Specials and 8 Safety Specialists. Acme Tools was named Member of the Year – Tier 1 in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2017. Steve served previously on the Evergreen Board from 2005 until 2008. He was Chairman 2007 to 2008.