Steve Hill

UAH alumnus Steve Hill ('87, BSEE) is co-founder and President of Huntsville-based AEgis Technologies.

Photo Courtesy: AEgis Technologies Group, Inc.

As a youngster, the U.S. Army was a big part of Steve Hill’s (’87, BSEE) life. "Growing up as an Army dependent was a good life," said Hill, an alumnus of The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH).

Hill "learned a lot traveling around the world, but was ready to stay in the same place for a while" when the family moved to Huntsville. While in high school, he enjoyed mathematics and considered working at a company to support war-fighters, since his dad was a retired Army Colonel.

"Being an engineer just seemed like a natural pursuit for me," said Hill. "I knew UAH was an excellent engineering school, and after receiving a full scholarship it was an easy choice for me to make."

Settling in North Alabama turned out to be a great decision for Hill, co-founder, and President of Huntsville-based AEgis Technologies. The company specializes in using modeling and simulation technology to support weapon systems development, and create training solutions for the U.S. military.

"I have enjoyed living in the Huntsville/Madison community for the last 38 years," said Hill. "Andi (Andrea) and I loved raising our family here and, of course, it's an outstanding community to start and grow a business," he added.

Hill remembers UAH electrical engineering courses as very challenging. "It was an excellent learning environment, labs were well equipped and hands-on, and I had some outstanding professors…Dr. Reza Adhami being one of my favorites.

"Dr. Adhami really helped me see some practical applications from our coursework and got me excited about graduating and going to work in the defense industry," said Hill. "I also enjoyed the university’s cooperative education program and was able to get some useful experience while in school that benefited me greatly upon graduation."

Now retired, Adhami is a UAH Professor Emeritus. He served as Department Chairperson and Research Professor in the university’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.

A few years after graduating from UAH, Hill created AEgis Technologies to make a difference in the world by delivering exceptional services, products, and training to the war-fighter. "Our team utilizes modeling and simulation technologies to support weapon systems development and create training solutions, so our war-fighters come home safely. The company has expanded capabilities over time to advanced engineering solutions for a variety of space superiority, directed energy, missile defense, C4ISR, training and simulation, and analytics programs. I certainly credit UAH with providing me an excellent foundation to pursue a career and build a successful company in the defense industry," said Hill.

Recently, AEgis Technologies took a majority investment from Arlington Capital Partners and named Jonathan Moneymaker as CEO as the company enters its next phase of growth.

An avid philanthropist, Hill is well known in the Huntsville community and is recognized as a generous benefactor for causes related to children and people with disabilities.

"At AEgis, our team feels a sincere obligation to ‘pay forward’ whatever success we have been blessed with back into our community," said Hill. "Our employees have a particular soft spot in their hearts for ministries involving children and people with disabilities. Our involvement in the Special Olympics annual Track and Field event is a highlight of the year. The AEgis team is honored to support these special athletes as they compete with such determination and display so much joy—it is truly an amazing day," he added.

Hill is on the Board of Directors for Lincoln Village Ministry, the Enrichment Center, The UAH Foundation, and The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce as well as the UAH External Presidential Advisory Committee and UAH Engineering Advisory Board. He volunteers or supports the Special Olympics, the Huntsville Botanical Gardens, His Hands Mission International, International Leadership Institute, the Huntsville/Madison County Veterans Memorial, Huntsville Hospital Pediatric Audiology Center, and Children’s Hospital of Alabama.

In addition to his undergraduate degree from UAH, Hill continued his graduate education at The Vanderbilt University Owen School of Management.

Under Hill’s direction, AEgis Technologies has been recognized several times by Inc. Magazine’s 500, and Inc. Magazine’s 5000 fastest-growing privately held small businesses. The company currently employs 360 plus professionals and has received the North Alabama Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics, and the 2012 Small Business of the Year Award from the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce.

Hill is also a recipient of the 2012 Russell Brown Executive Leadership Award from the Chamber of Commerce for excellence in leadership and entrepreneurship. Hill and his wife, Andi, have one college age and two adult children.