Steven Tourek – Marvin  

In the complex legal counsel and corporate stewardship arena, Steven Tourek is a veteran leader, serving as the senior vice president and general counsel at Marvin, a family-owned and family-led manufacturer of premium windows, skylights and doors. His extensive experience in law, coupled with a deep-rooted commitment to community well-being, showcases a seasoned leader navigating the intricate intersections of legal complexity and corporate responsibility. 

Steven Tourek | Senior Vice President and General Counsel | Marvin

Boasting an impressive tenure of more than two decades with the company and a professional legacy spanning half a century within the Marvin family’s sphere, Tourek’s journey is a testament to resilience, leadership and an unwavering dedication to fostering positive change. 

Serving the community and employees 

One of the hallmark projects during Tourek’s tenure was steering Marvin through a decade-long litigation stemming from bogus supplier claims resulting in product components that did not meet Marvin’s standards nor live up to its warranty. This challenging period tested the company’s resilience, but Tourek’s leadership led to the company prevailing in court and ultimately sharing settlement proceeds with employees and the community.  

Enabled by the recovery, a state-of-the-art senior living center in Warroad, Minnesota, provides independent living, memory care and skilled nursing services to members of the Warroad community. Creating the senior living center symbolized turning adversity into an opportunity to serve. It was also a moment where Tourek’s involvement extended beyond legal matters, as he served on the board of the Warroad Senior Living Center for more than 15 years. The senior living center stands as a testament to Marvin’s commitment to enhancing the well-being of its community. 

“Often, the obstacle becomes the way. I believe in turning adversity into opportunities that serve our employees and community,” Tourek says. 

Tourek has also championed various initiatives to support employee well-being, recognizing the importance of a healthy and engaged workforce. Recently, he collaborated with Marvin’s HR team to establish a partnership with an organization that specializes in employee assistance for mental health, substance use disorders, and financial management. This proactive approach underscores Tourek’s belief that a company’s success is intertwined with the health and happiness of its employees. 

Facing challenges and embracing change 

Throughout Tourek’s tenure, Marvin has encountered and successfully navigated seismic shifts in the industry. From overcoming a historic supplier dispute to weathering the challenges posed by the Great Recession and the recent global pandemic, Tourek’s leadership has proven crucial in ensuring job security, nurturing a culture of collective responsibility, and adeptly counseling the company through ever-changing landscapes. 

Currently, Tourek is preparing to confront the complex challenges presented by the proliferation of new state regulations. The spectrum ranges from addressing California’s stringent greenhouse gas emissions reporting law to navigating PFAS reporting regulations in multiple states and everything in between. His active involvement in legislative affairs strategically positions Marvin to navigate these matters while steadfastly upholding its commitment to ethical business practices. 

Looking ahead, Marvin is on the cusp of a transformative enterprise platform transition. This ambitious undertaking encompasses expansive product line developments and enhancements in manufacturing capabilities. Tourek’s legal acumen will be instrumental in facilitating the geographic expansion of the core business and establishing new distribution centers. These strategic initiatives aim to elevate the overall customer experience and streamline operational efficiency for sustained success in a dynamic marketplace.  

“While guiding Marvin through challenges, fostering shared responsibility, and embracing change, my commitment is to lead with purpose as well as with resilience and to uphold our values and ethical standards in the ever-changing legal and business landscape,” Tourek says. 

Legal journey 

While at Dartmouth College, Tourek’s academic pursuits in religion and philosophy laid the foundation for his multifaceted career. Initially torn between teaching, ministry or practicing law, Tourek was influenced by his mother’s guidance to choose law school over seminary. This decision led him to pursue his legal education at Yale University (and later Cambridge University in England), where he began clerking after his first year and developed a passion for litigation. 

Over 28 years in private practice, including co-founding a Minneapolis firm, Tourek honed his skills as a litigator and a leader. However, a pivotal moment came when he recognized his true calling was centered in servant leadership and problem-solving. The opportunity to become Marvin’s first general counsel marked a shift from the courtroom to the boardroom, requiring a unique set of skills honed during his trial work. 

Beyond his professional achievements, Tourek is devoted to his family. His four children, each pursuing diverse paths, reflect his pride and love. A former competitive oarsman at Dartmouth and Cambridge—where he studied abroad—Tourek’s athletic spirit endures through daily gym sessions. 

Passionate about family businesses, Tourek serves as an outside independent director on several family business boards nationwide. Additionally, his commitment extends to the board of Hope Academy in Minneapolis, a Christian school providing quality education to inner-city students. He also remains actively involved as a speaker on ethical leadership and mentor to students at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. 

A man of faith, Tourek actively participates in ministries and speaking events.  

“Inspired by my mother’s wisdom, I strive daily to become a person who tries to make the world a better place by serving others,” he says.  

View this feature in the Vanguard Spring I 2024 Edition here.