Steve Gatena

Family

Born in Simi Valley, California, Gatena is the son of Gary and Judy Gatena. His mother, Judy Gatena started her first company, Abacus One Computer Supplies, in 1988.

Westlake High School

Gatena attended Westlake High School in Westlake Village, California. He played on the WHS's football team as an offensive lineman. In 2003, the football team went undefeated and won the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section title. Gatena was named as an offensive lineman to the all-decade high football team (second team) by the Ventura County Star.

Air Force & UC-Davis

After graduating from high school, Gatena committed to play football at the Air Force Academy. While at the Air Force Academy, Gatena struggled with injury. Gatena wrote a post for Shutterstock about overcoming the adversity he faced at the Air Force Academy to building a dream job. In 2005, Gatena transferred to UC-Davis and continued to play college football—but, he continued to struggle with injury. In 2006, Gatena played in four games as Left Tackle for the Aggies. By the 2007 season—Gatena's Senior year academically—he made his first start as college football player at Left Tackle. In the Spring of 2008, Gatena graduated from UC-Davis.

University of Southern California

After earning an undergraduate degree and with two years of NCAA eligibility, Gatena transferred to the University of Southern California as a graduate student. Gatena was a member of 2008 USC Trojans football team. Gatena transferred to USC from UC Davis as an offensive left tackle. Gatena should have been required to sit out one season under NCAA rules. Due to his academic standing as a graduate student, however, Gatena was granted a one-time transfer exception and played during the 2008 season. On January 1, 2009, Gatena—along with the rest of the 2008 USC Trojans football team—won the 2009 Rose Bowl Game. For the 2008 season, Gatena was awarded USC's Service Team Offensive Player of the Year award for his ability to provide the Trojans with depth and versatility on the practice field. Gatena was also a member of 2009 USC Trojans football team as a Tight End. In 2010, Gatena graduated with a master’s degree in communication management from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

REP Interactive

While a graduate student at USC and under the coaching of USC Professors, Gatena and Ben McNeil turned a homework assignment in a business entrepreneurship course—for an online video production and marketing company—into a full operational business. In 2009, Gatena launched a full-service video firm—REP Interactive—meant to bridge the gap between YouTube and television by giving companies the power to produce “Hollywood quality video.” Gatena's pilot “Most Expensive Homes in the World” earned over 1.2M views and launched an entire series on homes from Aspen to Napa. Gatena has given advice about success in business.

VideoFort

In 2013, Gatena founded VideoFort with Alan Purwin. VideoFort is one of the largest manufacturers of HD and Ultra HD stock footage. Before founding VideoFort, Purwin was known to have the world's largest collection of aerial HD stock footage.

Helinet

In 2015, Gatena became the CEO of Helinet Group of Companies. Helinet provides helicopter services and related products to a variety of markets including film, government surveillance, medical transport, and VIP charter services. Helinet companies include: Helinet Technologies, ShotOver, and Helinet Aviation. Helinet was founded by Alan Purwin.

Gatena and Alan Purwin were business partners. In September 2015, Purwin died in a plane crash in the Andean natural region of Colombia while working for the film Mena. Gatena wrote on Helinet's website: "There are no words that can express our heartache for we have lost one of the world's greatest helicopter pilots."

Business awards and recognition

Gatena has been recognized as an entrepreneur. In 2013, Forbes Magazine—in an article by David K Williams—listed Gatena and his mother at #8 on their list of top 10 Most Famous Entrepreneur Families. Other families on the list included the Lauren family and the Trump family. Also in 2013, Gatena was featured in C-Suite Magazine as among the 10 most forward thinking up and coming entrepreneurs under 50 in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. At 26 years old, Gatena was the youngest on the list—noted for his success in Video & Broadcast Media.

REP Interactive as a company has won numerous awards. In 2013: Mashies. In 2014: Telly Awards, W³ Awards, at the Communicator Awards. In 2014, REP Interactive and Gatena were recognized in the Empact Showcase—an event hosted by the United Nations—which recognizes entrepreneurs. In 2015, REP interactive ranked #677 on Inc. Magazine's list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in America.