Early Life
Stephen Orenstein was born on December 28, 1963, in Frankfurt, Germany. He attended Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire before enrolling at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania to pursue a medical degree. However, his studies were cut short when his father, Alfred Orenstein, passed away in 1985. Stephen returned to Frankfurt to take over the family business, Supreme Group.
Rise to Success
Stephen joined Supreme Group's sales division in 1985. Supreme Group, founded in 1957 by his father, was a key supplier of food and fuel to U.S. military bases. Under Stephen's leadership, the company grew significantly, particularly during the U.S. military's involvement in Afghanistan. At one point, Stephen owned 75% of Supreme Group. In 2011, the company reached revenues of $5.6 billion.
Key Business Strategies
Orenstein focused on optimizing supply chain processes. Supreme Group was the primary supplier of food and water to the U.S. army in Afghanistan. During this time, certain pricing strategies, such as the use of intermediaries, later became the focus of investigations. In 2014, two subsidiaries of Supreme Group resolved legal matters with the U.S. government by agreeing to pay $434 million in penalties and compensation, allowing the company to continue operations. Orenstein also owns commercial real estate and has a stake in Eintracht Frankfurt.
Philanthropy
Stephen Orenstein is involved in philanthropic efforts, including supporting the Frankfurt Museum of Modern Art.