Spotlight on Steve Sparks

14 Questions with Steve

Most of Steve’s career involved leadership of marketing, communications, and fund development at four Midwest hospitals and health systems, including St. Mary’s in Madison. He was director of Wisconsin Health Literacy before retiring in January 2019. Steve also has been an instructor at Madison College and UW Madison’s Department of Journalism. A certified Toastmaster, he holds a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication. In retirement, Steve is doing consulting work in communications and indulging his interest in history by working as a tour guide at the Wisconsin State Capitol and as a docent for the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Monona Terrace and for Madison Architecture tours through the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation. He just finished writing his first novel.

1. What three traits define you?

Written and oral communication expertise, organizational skills, and pride as a father and grandfather.

2. What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?

A high quality ballpoint pen

3. What are you listening to/reading these days?

I like reading thrillers and historical fiction and listening to podcasts like History That Doesn’t Suck and Stuff You Should Know

4. What is the one thing you cannot resist? (food/dessert/candy/etc.)

Pepperoni pizza, chocolate cake and cookie dough ice cream

5. Where is your favorite place to be?

Just came back from a life-changing three weeks in Italy where I spent time in Florence, Venice, Tuscany, Rome and Pompeii. The history and architecture is incredible.

6. What is your favorite thing to do?

Sit at my desk in my home study working on my novel.

7. Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why?

I love to spend time with my children and grandchildren in San Francisco, Washington, DC, and Canmore, Canada, where I can enjoy some of the most interesting and beautiful scenery and sightseeing.

8. What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had?

I supported myself through high school and college by selling women’s shoes in department stores. Not a bad job but there are some nasty feet out there.

9. What has been the most important innovation you have witnessed in your lifetime?

The smartphone–it makes it so much easier to carry our entire lives with us at all times. Or maybe that’s not so good!

10. What would you do (as a volunteer) if you weren’t doing this?

Help people navigate health care and our health care systems. It’s really hard for many whose health is compromised or who don’t have friends or relatives to help them.

11. What's one thing about you that surprises people?

That I have a musical background. I have played piano, organ, bassoon, flute, guitar, alto and tenor saxophone, and cymbals (marching band) and was in a singing group in college.

12. What inspires you and why?

People who believe so strongly in a cause they will endure great sacrifice or personal discomfort to pursue it, for example, those who have gone overseas to help Ukraine or doctors and nurses who go on missions to underprivileged countries.

13. What’s your favorite building in Madison and why?

Since I work as a tour guide at the historic State Capitol, I would have to say that. But since starting on the architecture tours, I have gained a whole new set of second favorites!

14. What do you think people should know about the Madison Trust?

This is an organization of tremendously experienced, passionate, and hard-working volunteers who are committed to sharing the amazing history of this city and area. An unbelievable amount of work has gone into the programs and services offered, all with a goal to preserve our history for present and future generations and to remember the legacy of so many who have gone before.