# Steve Potash

> Steve Potash is the Cleveland-based co-founder and chairman of OverDrive, the digital reading company behind Libby and Sora. He served as CEO from 1986 to 2026, after starting his career as a lawyer developing electronic versions of professional books. His work includes ebook standards, library advocacy and literacy philanthropy with his wife and co-founder, Loree Potash.

- **Role:** Founder & Chairman at OverDrive
- **Organizations:** OverDrive, Steve & Loree Potash Family Foundation, Believe in Reading, Freedom to Learn Advocates, Open eBook Forum / International Digital Publishing Forum
- **Education:** Bachelor’s degree in journalism, The Ohio State University, Juris Doctor, Cleveland State University College of Law (formerly Cleveland-Marshall College of Law)
- **Known for:** Co-founded OverDrive and served as CEO for forty years., Founding member of the Open eBook Forum and contributing author to the EPUB specification., Received the George S. Dively Entrepreneurship Award from the Harvard Business School Club of Northeastern Ohio in 2020.

## Career timeline

- **Early 1980s** — Automated his law practice and developed electronic law books; wrote about technology for lawyers.
- **1986** — Co-founded OverDrive with Loree Potash in Cleveland; began a CEO tenure lasting until 2026.
- **2000** — Launched OverDrive’s digital content distribution hub, now known as OverDrive Marketplace.
- **2003** — OverDrive announced downloadable ebook lending with Cleveland Public Library.
- **2011** — Received the first BookExpo America Ambassador Award.
- **2017** — OverDrive became a Certified B Corporation; received Cleveland State University’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
- **2019** — Admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.
- **2023** — Delivered a joint CSU law commencement address with Loree, the first alumni couple to do so.
- **2024** — Inducted into Cleveland Magazine’s Business Hall of Fame.
- **2026** — Transitioned from CEO to chairman, focusing on strategy, library advocacy and literacy initiatives.

## Achievements

- Co-founded OverDrive and served as CEO for forty years.
- Founding member of the Open eBook Forum and contributing author to the EPUB specification.
- Received the George S. Dively Entrepreneurship Award from the Harvard Business School Club of Northeastern Ohio in 2020.
- Steve and Loree Potash committed a $500,000 matching challenge to the American Library Association’s 150th anniversary campaign.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Keynoted CSU Law’s October 2 IP+ Conference, discussing his path from lawyer to founder, digital library licensing and intellectual property.
- **2026-06** — OverDrive announced his next phase as chairman, including increased attention to literacy advocacy and early development of the OverDrive Foundation.

## Links

- Website: https://www.stevepotash.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevepotash/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/OverDriveSteve

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/steve-potash
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-27