Steven C. Preston (born August 4. 1960) served as the 14th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development from 2008 to 2009 and the 22nd Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration from 2006 until his appointment as HUD Secretary. Before entering public service, Preston spent nearly 25 years in financial and operational leadership positions in the private sector.

Preston grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin and attended Parker High School where he was class valedictorian, president of the student congress, and a varsity wrestler. He earned a B.A. with Highest Distinction in political science from Northwestern University in 1982 and an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business in 1985.

During the first half of his private sector career, Preston worked in investment banking and corporate finance. Preston joined Lehman Brothers in 1985, ultimately serving as a Senior Vice President in the Investment Banking Department.