IGN Editor-in-Chief Steve Butts Passes Away

Tech gaming website IGN announced on Tuesday, after conducting an internal investigation into sexual harassment allegations, that its editor-in-chief Steve Butts had been terminated as the result. Although details about the investigation remain unavailable to Kotaku readers, a statement released by IGN confirmed Butts was no longer employed with them.

He is also co-founder and CEO of QuatroBio, which manages drug development for start-up biopharma companies like Midnight Pharma LLC with their drug for narcolepsy being in Phase 2, and Velo Bio LLC which offers an orphan drug to treat severe preeclampsia.

Early Life and Education

Steve realized the only way he could remain in complete control of the 110 employees under him was to keep good relationships with those above him: Superintendent, School Board and District Administration. To accomplish this goal he employed his best tool: influence.

He aggressively pursued any grievance or complaint that came his way, even ones that weren’t his responsibility to resolve. He made enemies of many of them such as an electrician whose space heater was set ablaze by another party he called a crook with a collar, joker and thief before proceeding against them for it.

John Lapointe voted and campaigned hard in support of him.

Professional Career

Butts has extensive legal experience representing clients in bankruptcy proceedings and related litigation, including real estate disputes. His client roster includes financial institutions, private lenders, purchasers of distressed assets and landlords as well as creditors seeking to enforce their rights under credit documents.

He is dedicated to pro bono work, serving on the Elderly Pro Bono Program of the Rhode Island Bar Association as well as being on Barrington Town Council in Rhode Island.

He is blessed with five children: 2LT Kenneth Butts (AVN), Cadet James Butts, Danielle Elizabeth Hamby and Killian Shay Hamby as well as several grandchildren. Additionally he co-founded Vue Venus; an online gallery and series of art shows which celebrate female form beauty; in addition to performing recorder and viola da gamba in various early music ensembles.

Achievement and Honors

Orv Butts was honored with both Battalion and Brigade Command assignments as well as Military Police training assignments over his 30-year military career, receiving multiple honors and building many long-lasting friendships along the way. He leaves behind Bianca – his wife of 61 years – daughters Kylee Madison Butts and Tana Rose Butts; MAJ (Ret) Gregory Butts; daughter-in-law Patty Butts, grandchildren Kenneth Butts (2LT Steven Butts), Cadet Danielle Hamby; Killian Shay Hamby plus host of granddogs/cats!

Otologic Pharmaceutics develops products to treat and prevent hearing loss. He was also an original founding member of Triangle Futbol Club, a non-profit youth soccer organization. Furthermore, his experience includes fundraising efforts, product licensing and merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions for start-up companies.

Personal Life

Butts is the heir of H-E-B, a grocery chain with 425 stores and $34 billion in annual revenues. He is also co-founder and CEO of Arrivo BioVentures LLC in North Carolina specializing in drug development; previously holding executive roles at Addrenex Pharmaceuticals and Velo Bio (which developed a treatment for preeclampsia that was sold to Shionogi Pharma).

Butts leaves behind his wife Katy Shea and daughter Kylee Madison Butts from Telluride, Colorado; his step-children Kathryn Butts and Davis Butts of Newport, Rhode Island; Amy and Lisa (his sisters); his aunt Jacqueline Foster (their auntie); his nieces Jacqueline Foster and various close friends as well as several close grandchildren. He enjoyed spending time with family, riding his Harley motorcycle and working on cars (he fully restored two GTOs!), watching western movies and playing jokes on people!

Net Worth

Butts enjoys spending his free time playing with his family band The Highwaymen – which was inspired by The Weavers and has sold over one million albums!

Butts currently serves as co-founder and CEO of Quatro BioVentures LLC, an entity which manages start-up drug development companies. He is also one of the co-founders of Arrivo BioPharma LLC with its product for treating narcolepsy currently in Phase 2, as well as Velo Bio LLC with their orphan drug for severe preeclampsia which was purchased by AMAG Pharmaceuticals in 2018.

According to filings with the SEC, Butts owned shares of First Community Corporation worth more than $17,693 as of 24 July 2020. She held stakes in Seelos Therapeutics Inc and Lisata Therapeutics Inc among others as top holdings.