President, JBS Resources LLC,
Owner and Member-Manager, Rubin Brothers LLC, Autumn Investments LLC and Penn Avenue Holdings LLC
Photo by John Sibold.
By Samantha Cart
Steven Rubin’s childhood was much like anyone else’s. He grew up in a modest home on Charleston’s West Side, spent his time playing basketball and drums and worked stocking shelves for Cohen Drug Stores. However, for Rubin, president and owner of JBS Resources LLC, growing up in West Virginia became a defining factor in his relationships, career and philanthropy commitments.
“I remember sledding to the bottom of Edgewood in the snow, learning to play tennis on the public courts and getting kicked off the golf course after getting caught playing football there,” he recalls. “Many of my friends from those days continue to be my friends today with that common bond of the West Side.”
For Rubin, these fond memories have translated into a passion for making Charleston and West Virginia a better place to live, work and raise a family. “I stay motivated by my desire to give back to a community that has been a wonderful place to live,” he says. “I have dedicated my time to helping others and working to make this community stronger. I am blessed to live in a great state with people who are loyal and good. They deserve a special future here in West Virginia.”
Another important part of Rubin’s childhood and a factor in his commitment to serving others comes from his faith. For four years he attended Hebrew classes after school, preparing for his bar mitzvah, and today he serves as an active member and board member for the B’nai Jacob Synagogue, where he has helped raise funds for a new social hall and has overseen the renovation of the sanctuary.
“My faith has provided a balance in my life,” he says. “It has helped me learn that everyone has special values and to respect those differences and embrace that we are all part of something much bigger and more important than ourselves. This core belief has lifted my spirits at difficult times and motivated me to try to make everyone around me feel cared for.”
Rubin’s optimistic attitude, Mountain State roots and commitment to others has helped him build a successful career in real estate and oil and gas investments. Along with being the president and owner of JBS Resources, he is also the owner and member-manager of Rubin Brothers LLC, Autumn Investments LLC and Penn Avenue Holdings LLC. While Rubin doesn’t consider his accomplishments out of the ordinary, his successes are an example of the products of hard work and determination.
“Success just takes getting up each day, working to the best of your abilities, creating opportunities through those efforts and remembering net worth is not necessarily always defined by what material assets you have but by the faith, family and friends you have in your life,” he says. “You get this as you become aware of what is most important in life.”
In addition to running his multiple companies, Rubin works diligently toward the vision he holds for Charleston and West Virginia as a whole. He is the chairman of the Charleston Area Alliance, chairman of the board for BB&T Bank and a member and vice chairman of the BB&T West Virginia Foundation. Rubin also serves on a variety of committees, including the executive committee for Edgewood Summit, investment committee for The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, scholarship committee for Charleston Public Courts and advisory committee for the University of Charleston (UC). In the recent past, he has also volunteered as chairman of the investment committee for the CAMC Foundation, president of the Charleston Tennis Club, one of the captains of the YMCA Spirit of the Valley campaign and chair of the academic committee and board member at UC.
“I believe strongly in giving back and working to make this community better,” says Rubin. “There are so many struggling with challenges, and I want to share whatever talents and resources I have to make a difference. If you can help others, you have an obligation to do so. We all have a calling, and I think this is mine.”
1975 Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Eastern Kentucky University
1976 Graduated with a master’s degree in international relations from Miami University
1976 Hired as a field worker for Blue Creek Gas Company
1983 Promoted to vice president of Blue Creek Gas Company
1983 Became the member-manager of Rubin Brothers LLC
1990 Named a board member for the B’nai Jacob Synagogue
1995 Named president of Blue Creek Gas Company
1995 Named president of B’nai Jacob Synagogue for the first time
1997 Elected to the CAMC Foundation board of directors
2000 Became owner and member-manager of Autumn Investments LLC
2004 Named president of JBS Resources LLC
2014 Became a professor for UC’s MBA program
2015 Named president of B’nai Jacob Synagogue
2017 Named chairman of the Charleston Area Alliance
