Steve was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. As was the practice for new doctors his father worked day and night during his medical residency at Charity Hospital there. Steve comes from a long line of doctors. His father, his grandfather, his great grandfather, even two uncles were all specialists and/or surgeons in their chosen medical specialties, including internal medicine specialist, obstetrics/gynecology, neurosurgery and general practice/surgery. His great-great grandfather was the Surgeon General of Ohio during the Civil War.
When Steve was two years old the Brooks family moved to Winter Haven, Florida where Steve’s dad, Beach A. Brooks, Sr. began practicing medicine at Bond Clinic. Growing up in Winter Haven was a great experience. People didn’t have to lock their doors and neighbors became close like family and looked out for each other.
Background: Growing up in the Chain of Lakes City
Growing up in Winter Haven (the Chain of Lakes City) on Lake Otis, Steve, his brother Beach and two sisters, Libba and Nancy loved boating and skiing. Steve even used to barefoot ski, including starting barefoot from the beach. The boys would load up their boats with oranges and have “orange wars”, with other friends in their boats, using metal garbage can lids as shields. They had great times growing up, but their parents often worried about their dare devilish ways.
Steve enjoyed baseball, tennis and other sports; but he was especially interested in owning his own business. His grandmother was a real estate broker and that sparked an interest in him to invest in real estate. At the age of 14, Steve purchased his 1st rental house with his grandmother co-signing the loan.
After graduating from high school, Steve attended the University of Florida for two years. His appetite for business ultimately resulted in Steve’s transfer to Stetson University where he graduated with a Business Administration degree.
Background: Dreams of Law
Steve worked in the citrus fruit business and actively sold real estate after graduating from Stetson. During this time Steve’s brother and brother-in-law both attended Stetson University College of Law. Steve often thought of becoming a lawyer, considering his great grandfather and an uncle had been lawyers. Steve finally decided to try law school after his citrus business went through extremely tough times following a recent freeze that devastated many private owners in the local citrus industry.
