Stephanie Carkin was born and raised in Oregon, growing up as the oldest of two siblings with a single mom. From a young age, she embraced the vital lessons of resilience and independence by working multiple jobs to help support her family.

Her journey has been filled with obstacles. As a young mother raising twin daughters, managing a directional boring company, and navigating the complexities of divorce, Stephanie cultivated a deep understanding of determination, grit and the power of community. 

Her career began in the early 2000s at Hydro-Temp Mechanical, where she worked her way up from receptionist through roles in accounting, service management, HR, safety, project management, and contracts, ultimately becoming Vice President and Co-Owner.

After finding faith at Horizon Christian Church in 2009, Stephanie focused on serving others with purpose. She then met her current husband and they married in 2011. Together, they've built a life centered on family, faith, and opportunity. They also recently paid off their home, a milestone that means everything to someone who grew up in apartments.

Hydro-Temp operates on a merit-based model, working on public projects without union signatory requirements—a unique approach that reflects Stephanie's commitment to fairness and opportunity based on merit for all workers. This experience has given her firsthand insight into the challenges Oregon's small businesses face, particularly those striving to compete for public projects.