Its all very subjective Mike
I personally wouldn't "push it" that far, but if it suits your style,
then fair play to you
I can't really help with the "Elements"
Its been bloody years since I used it,
and don't have it installed any more so I cant check either.
However if memory serves,
there is a USM tool there?
(Sharpen)
Levels won't sort out a WB "issue"
They just brighten the image.
You can complety drop the Stylise / emboss step.
For WB "issues" I use ACR for that, but I doubt that you have it.
So a "coloured filter" (I'm sure that's there somewhere)
will do the trick. Orange to warm up, Blue to cool down.
(I used blue BTW)
If you have it, ( i think you do) just shadows / highlights tool,
(From the "adjust" drop down box,) on the out of camera image,
and see how it looks from there.
You may need to go to contrast / or exposure for the finals,
But I find that shadows highlights and maybe levels is plenty.
Once done, just sharpen using USM, again I *think* thats there as well.
Hope that helps?
Oh one last thing, set your white balance (in camera) to cloudy, and leave it there under all conditions.