Stephen Geppi - Owner & Chief Execution Officer

Born in the “Little Italy” section of Baltimore, Maryland, Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. president and chief executive officer Stephen A. Geppi turned his childhood love of comics into the world’s largest distributor of English language comic books. Throughout his rise in business, he has never lost sight of the importance of faith, family and community service.

He learned at an early age. At age nine, his first job was bundling comics and magazines for a local used magazine dealer and he opted to receive part of his compensation in comics. The importance of hard work was already deeply ingrained in him when he had to leave school to support his mother.

A few years later, he took a job with the U.S. Postal Service. It was during his tenure there that he happened upon his young nephew, George Kues, reading a comic book while on vacation. A host of memories came flooding back, and he found himself asking customers on his mail route if they had any old comics. He started attending and setting up at weekend comic shows. Soon he realized he was earning more money from buying and selling comics than he was from his position with the post office.

He opened a small store in the Baltimore area, which quickly expanded to four stores. He subsequently moved into the comic book distribution business, eventually serving the accounts of a failing distributor. Diamond Comic Distributors was born. The company quickly expanded his distribution business throughout North America and Europe. Today, Diamond Comic Distributors is the largest distributor of English-language comic books in the world and represents many of the top publishing powerhouses including DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Image Comics, and Wizard Entertainment.

An avid baseball fan, who as a youngster dreamed of playing professional ball, Steve realized a lifelong dream when he became part of the local ownership group of the Baltimore Orioles in 1993. Throughout the major league baseball season, he attends almost every Orioles’ home game.

In 1994, he moved into the publishing arena with the purchase of Baltimore magazine, the nation’s oldest city magazine. He further expanded his publishing ventures with the formation of Gemstone Publishing Inc., which acquired Russ Cochran, Publisher and Overstreet Publications. Gemstone publishes the comic book industry “bible,” The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, the North American editions of Disney comics, the classic EC Comics line and other projects.

The following year, Steve launched Diamond International Galleries, which immediately became the premier showplace in the world for American comic character collectibles. Additionally, the Gallery served the industry by promoting awareness of the rich tapestry of comic characters and their place in popular culture history, as well as serving as an advocate for copyright and trademark holders.

Over the years he continued to build a full array of companies serving comic book, game and toy collectors. He acquired manufacturer E. Gerber Products, which produces supplies for collectors, and Alliance Game Distributors, which paralleled Diamond Comic Distributors’ role in the game trade. He also launched Diamond Select Toys, which makes statues, action figures and other character-based collectibles.

In 2002, under the auspices of Gemstone Publishing and Diamond International Galleries, Steve launched the highly successful Scoop email newsletter. Scoop serves the collecting world and the general public by promoting the advancement of knowledge about the history of popular culture and offering insights into the marketplace and individual collectors.

Two years later, Steve acquired Hake’s Americana & Collectibles for his Diamond International Galleries firm. Founded 38 years earlier, Hake’s was already widely considered the premier auction house dealing in character and political collectibles, and the acquisition spurred a period of rapid growth and development for the company.

In 2005, Steve was named “Baltimore Smart CEO of the Year” by Baltimore Smart CEO magazine.

"It isn't all about which CEO in town had that most spectacular year," the magazine’s David Callahan wrote of the award. "We try to name a CEO who has had a number of interesting years and has positioned his company to succeed in the future. We look to someone who is not just important to Baltimore, but breaking important ground within his or her own industry. We look for someone who has unique ideas and a convincing and fascinating leadership style. Someone who gives back to his employees, shareholders and community alike. We think Geppi fits that bill."

That same year, he acquired Denver, Pennsylvania-based Morphy Auctions, along with its Adamstown Antique Gallery and York Toy, Doll, Holiday & Advertising Show units. The prestigious auction house also became an integral part of Diamond International Galleries. By April of that year, the firm had a $1.2 million event.

On Wednesday, September 6, 2006, he fulfilled a long-held dream when he celebrated the opening of Geppi's Entertainment Museum by hosting the first of two grand opening galas at the historic facility located in the prestigious Camden Yards complex. Maryland's governor, Robert L. Ehrlich, State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nancy Grasmick, and numerous other dignitaries represented the state at GEM's historic Camden Station building.

Maryland Stadium Authority Chairman Bob McKinney served as master of ceremonies. He introduced the Governor, who talked about Steve Geppi's efforts to promote Baltimore and the state of Maryland through partnerships with the other tourist destinations and philanthropic efforts in the area. McKinney next introduced Geppi, and his wife, Mindy, and lauded their civic accomplishments.

Geppi welcomed one and all to the opening of the museum, a project that for him had been a long-held dream. He went on to explain that working together as a team with other museums and attractions to promote the city and state as tourist destinations, as well as presenting comics and other collectibles in a world class environment.

“The 17,000-square-foot space takes up the second and third floors of the former Camden train station here, whose main floor is home to the Sports Legends at Camden Yards museum. Geppi's Entertainment Museum celebrates the colorful characters and collectibles that have emerged from comic strips and comic books since the late 1800s. Its packed displays - of movie posters, animation cels, action figures, board games, advertisements and more - chronicle the evolution of these characters, often reflecting the periods of American history from which they emerged,” the New York Times said.

“From the moment we entered the museum, it was clear how much this means to Steve Geppi, who arrived at the same time as us. He enthusiastically greeted everyone with a firm handshake and a smile, his excitement at the idea of sharing his new baby with outsiders tangible,” ComicBookResources.com said.

In September 2007, Steve announced formation of Geppi’s Entertainment Publishing & Auctions, which would serve as an umbrella for Diamond International Galleries, its various divisions, and Gemstone Publishing. Geppi’s Americana moved to York, Pennsylvania in October 2007.

Steve was honored September 20, 2007 by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars for his Corporate Citizenship.

“With the Woodrow Wilson Awards, the Center recognizes leaders in business and public service from around the world and across the political spectrum. Recipients share President Wilson's vision of improving our policies and institutions through enlightened and deliberate dialogue and stand as living testaments to what may be accomplished when the worlds of learning, public affairs, and business come together in common interest,” the Center said.

In addition to his business concerns, Steve is a current and former board member of a number of local charitable organizations including: The Babe Ruth Museum, Baltimore Reads, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Grant-A-Wish Foundation, House with a Heart, International Museum of Cartoon Art, National Aquarium in Baltimore, Pathfinders, Port Discovery - The Children’s Museum, U.S.S. Constellation Foundation, United Way of Central Maryland, Baltimore Zoo,  and the University of Maryland Foundation.

He has been featured in the New York Times,Washington Times, Washington Post,Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, Success, The Robb Report, Inc. Magazine and Warfield’s Business Record.  He has appeared on CNN, CNBC, The History Channel, Retirement Living TV, PBS, CBS Radio, and numerous other television and radio outlets. He has also appeared in commercials for AT&T and Downtown Baltimore Partnership.

He is the father of six and grandfather of five. He and his wife, Mindy, reside in Stevenson, Maryland.