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Stephen Bienko

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Stephen Bienko
Stephen Bienko, Fort Myers, Florida. 2015
Born
New Jersey, United States
Alma materUnited States Air Force Academy, Villanova University
OccupationsBusinessman, entrepreneur, track and field coach
EmployerThe42U
Known forCEO at The42U
WebsiteThe42U

Stephen Bienko is an American businessman and athlete. He is best known as co-founder and CEO of The 42U. He also is the founding Director of the Institute of Athletic Performance, the former largest franchise owner of the College Hunks Hauling Junk brand.

Early life

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Bienko grew up in Green Township, New Jersey,[1] and was a three-sport star during high school at the Delbarton School, where he graduated in 1994.[2]

He attended the United States Air Force Academy and was a member of its football team. He graduated from Villanova University, Pennsylvania.[3] where he competed as a decathlete and held the school record in the discus from 1998 - 2005.[4]

Bienko began his professional career in the New Jersey State Police. His positions have included: Director of Marketing at Kennedy Funding, Inc.; a State Trooper with the NJ State Police working in the Alcoholic Beverage Control Special Task Force Unit; Senior Vice President at SequentialT; CEO of Fownders, Founding Director of the Institute of Athletic Performance (IAP), which became partners with Parisi's and Director of Communications at Doyle Management Group.[5]

Bienko spent two years driving the marketing of 2008 Olympic gold medalist in the decathlon, Bryan Clay. He also previously ran for the Fort Myers City Council representing Ward 2 in the September 2015 primary election, but was defeated by incumbent Johnny W. Streets Jr..

Bienko co-founded 42U in 2016. The company helps student-athletes succeed during their playing careers and prepares them for life after sports, focusing on personal branding and development.

Partnerships

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On January 28, 2026, 42U announced a partnership with Rutgers University Athletics aimed at enhancing student-athlete development, including personal branding, psychological assessment, and career preparation programs.[6] The collaboration integrates 42U’s branding workshops and performance tools into Rutgers’ existing Scarlet Knights For Life program, positioning the university as a leader in holistic athlete development.[7]

Personal life

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Bienko lives in Morristown, New Jersey with his four children.[2][8]

Bienko previously served on the board of directors for the PACE School for Girls[9][10] and Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida.[11][12]

References

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  1. ^ Frisch, Gary. "Green Township 'Hunk' Among N.J.'s "Top 40 Under 40" in Business", Hopatcong-Sparta, NJ, Patch, August 25, 2014. Accessed April 21, 2023. "New Jersey entrepreneur Stephen Bienko, whose Montville company, 42 Holdings, LLC, is the largest owner of College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving franchise territories, has been selected by NJBIZ Magazine as one of its 2014 '40 Under 40' top business people in the state. The 37-year-old, who lives in Allamuchy and grew up in Green Township, will be recognized along with his co-honorees at an awards banquet Sept. 29 at The Palace at Somerset Park, in Somerset."
  2. ^ a b Ruse, Leslie. "Ruse on the Loose: Morris Twp. man collecting sports equipment for Nicaraguans", Daily Record, September 21, 2014. Accessed June 29, 2020. "New Jersey entrepreneur Stephen Bienko, whose Montville company, 42 Holdings, LLC, is the largest owner of College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving franchise territories, has been selected by NJBIZ Magazine as one of its 2014 '40 Under 40' top business people in the state. The 37-year-old Delbarton graduate lives in Allamuchy."
  3. ^ "Stephen Bienko". About Me. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  4. ^ "McDade Shatters School Discus Record at Penn Relays". Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  5. ^ "Stephen Bienko: Executive Profile and Biography". Bloomberg. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  6. ^ "Rutgers University and 42U Announce Partnership To Boost Student-Athlete Experiences and Personal Branding". NIL Newsstand. January 28, 2026. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  7. ^ "Rutgers announces partnership with 42U focused on personal branding for student-athletes". On3. January 28, 2026. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  8. ^ O'Donnell, Cory. "Stephen Bienko: Fort Myers council candidate wants review of Fort Myers police chief". News-Press.com. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  9. ^ Administrator. "PACE Center for Girls". pacecenter.org.
  10. ^ Administrator. "Board Members". pacecenter.org. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  11. ^ "Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida". jaswfl.org.
  12. ^ "About Junior Achievement : Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida". jaswfl.org. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
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