Lazar Stepkovic

**Lazar Stepkovic** (Lorbian: *Лазар Штепковић, Lazar Štepković*; born 4 February 1964) is a Lorbian-Losacan politician and architect who has served as counsellor of environment and urban planning in the Vastule cabinet since 2019.

Born in Senovo, Stepkovic completed his schooling in 1982, afterwards moving to Gortzman to enroll in the University of Gortzman, graduating with a degree in architecture in 1985. He subsequently returned to Senovo, where he worked at an architecture firm. After Lorbia received its independence in 1994, and wars began breaking out amidst the rise of far-right Lorbian nationalists, Stepkovic fled Lorbia and returned to Frankenland, where he continued his work in architecture. In 1997, he enrolled in a graduate program at International University of Losaco, moving to Losaco with his family. He graduated in 2000, and afterwards founded his own architecture firm Stepkovic-Fayvère Architecture.

In September 2019, Stepkovic was nominated by Agnès Vastule to serve as counsellor of environment and urban planning in her cabinet. He was later appointed by Dennis II, and took office in the position.

## Early life and education

Stepkovic was born on 4 February 1964 in Senovo to parents Milan Štepković (1937–2010) and Srđana Marković (born 1940). His father was an optometrist, while his mother was a homemaker. He is the eldest of three children; his younger siblings include Danijel (1966–2001) and Barbora, born  (1970-12-27) 27 December 1970 (age 53). His brother Danijel died in a car accident in 2001, aged 35.

Stepkovic began his education in 1970, attending a private, all-boys primary school in Senovo. He graduated from primary school in 1978, and subsequently began attending a public secondary school specializing in foreign language study, graduating in 1982. Afterwards, he moved to Gortzman to enroll in the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Gortzman, graduating with a degree in architecture in 1985.

In 1997, he enrolled as a part-time student in a architecture graduate program at the International University of Losaco, graduating in 2000.

## Architecture career

Shortly after graduating from the University of Gortzman in 1985, Stepkovic returned to Senovo and received licensure as an architect. He first found work as a junior associate architect at the architecture firm Filipović-Đonić-Martić Architecture. At the firm, Stepkovic participated in small projects for the Alaslavian government. He was promoted to associate in 1986, junior partner in 1990, and full partner in 1993.

In 1994, Stepkovic fled Lorbia after the country received its independence and far-right nationalists rose to power, returning to Gortzman in Frankenland. In Frankenland, Stepkovic was hired as a junior partner at the firm Mürche Architecture. In this position, Stepkovic began working on projects involving luxury homes and office buildings. He was promoted to partner in 1996.

In 1997, Stepkovic was hired as an in-house senior architect for the real estate development firm Regell Development in Losaco. The firm also had him enrolled in a graduate program at the International University of Losaco, and paid his tuition in full. In 1999, he became a partner at the firm. With the firm, Stepkovic continued his career working with luxury homes, but also began working with luxury apartment complexes and hotels, as well. He left the firm in 2006, and founded his own architecture firm Stepkovic-Fayvère Architecture, with business partner Denis Fayvère. The firm specializes in luxury homes and apartment complexes.

## Counsellor of Environment and Urban Planning

In July 2019, David Le Pointe announced his plans to resign from his position of counsellor of environment and urban planning in the Vastule cabinet, and Agnès Vastule confirmed that she would begin interviewing candidates to replace him. Stepkovic interviewed for the position, and ultimately was offered it by Vastule. He was appointed by Dennis II on 29 September 2019.

After becoming counsellor of environment and urban planning, Stepkovic became the first Lorbian-born person to serve in the Losacan government. In the position, he is responsible for overseeing environmental regulations and policy, energy policy, public works projects, urban planning, roads and the public transportation system, land disputes, public parks and spaces, and housing in Losaco.

## Personal life

Stepkovic began a relationship with Lorbian event planner Marija Veličković in 1993. In 1994, they both moved to Frankenland together, and later became engaged that year, marrying in 1996. They have two children together: Natacha, born  (2002-07-13) 13 July 2002 (age 21), and Daniel, born  (2005-08-18) 18 August 2005 (age 18). The family resides in the La Città neighborhood of Losaco, but also own homes in Gortzman and Senovo.

Stepkovic's net worth is estimated at $38.6 million; his five-bedroom La Città apartment being valued at $23.5 million, taking up the bulk of his net worth. Stepkovic solely holds citizenship to Lorbia. He is fluent in Lorbian, Lungarian, Maldonian, and Ditrovian. Stepkovic and his family are all practicing Eastern Eurean Christians.