Steven G. Kern
Camp Keeper · Co-Founder, The Curtis Collection
Steven G. Kern received his BSBA degree in Accounting from the University of Florida. He started his career in New York City in 1967, earning his CPA certificate while working for Arthur Young & Company, where he remained for sixteen years, reaching Partnership after his transfer to the San Jose office.
Mr. Kern’s specialty was international taxation and planning. He was the first tax partner on Apple Computer, where he met his future Curtis Collection partner Kenneth Zerbe. His clients included Intel, Flextronics, AMD, Sysorex International, Atari, and Spectraphysics.
In 1981, he left Arthur Young to form his own financial consulting firm, specializing in working with high-net-worth individuals — Steve Jobs was his first client — start-up ventures (working with Nolan Bushnell in his Catalyst Group), and as a consulting CFO for Flextronics and Sysorex International. He continues to do special projects for clients.
In 1982, Mr. Zerbe and Mr. Kern formed The Curtis Collection for the purchase of the Edward S. Curtis Copper Photogravure Plates. They have been partners for over forty-four years — the longest continuous private ownership of the Curtis plates in history.
Steve is 80 years old and still active — skiing, biking, and hiking from his home in Dana Point, California. He serves as Camp Keeper for CurtisCamp, bringing the Curtis plates and their story to the public through this site and through personal engagement with collectors, institutions, and Native American communities.
He was adopted by the Crow Tribe alongside his cultural advisor Jeanne Eder Rhodes. Their Crow mother is Georgianna Bad Bear.