Dave brings deep experience in family business, most notably as the former President and CEO of The Modern Group Ltd, where he remains Chairman. Dave was selected to lead as the “first-round draft pick” or son-in-law of the founder. In September 1993, he acquired equity in the company from his father-in-law and, after selling the company to the employees in an ESOP, remains a significant shareholder.
Before Modern, Dave was an executive with IBM and MCI. He is a former trustee and officer of The Westminster School in Simsbury, Connecticut, and a former director of the J J Haines Company, Mountain Laurel Spirits LLC, and Leadership Inc Philadelphia. He is a past senior warden of Trinity Episcopal Church, and he is a past president of MHEDA, the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association, and past or current members of ARA, AED, NAW, YPO, WPO, and the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities.
Most recently, Dave stepped down from serving as the Executive Director and Head Coach of Episcopal Community Services in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He now serves as an emeritus member of the ECS Board.
Dave also serves as director and Chairman on the boards of The Modern Group, Ltd, Delaware Valley Floral Group, Hoober Inc., and Verus LLC., and as lead director of Crazy Aaron’s Puttyworld. His nonprofit interests include serving on the boards of the Philadelphia World Affairs Council, The Economy League of Philadelphia, Friends of Foundation Academy in Trenton, Victory Farms, Ride to Work, and The Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University, where he is Chairperson and a member of the Drexel University Board and executive, audit, investment, collections, and community partnerships committees. Dave is a director of the Griffith Family Foundation and Chair of the McEwen Family Scholarship Fund. He is an advisor to the Caliper Corporation, IBM, and Journal of Social Innovation, DIEMlife, and Fairmount Ventures.
He is a nationally recognized speaker on the issues of Leadership, Governance, and Family Business based on his track records as a CEO and board member. Dave is a guest lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania and has spoken at Harvard, Temple, Kenyon, Drexel, and Rutgers. He is the author of ‘The Muddy Boots Blog’ and a guest columnist at the Philadelphia Business Journal.
He is a graduate of Kenyon College ’76 and The Westminster School ‘72. At Kenyon, he received his BA with honors in Economics and History. While at Kenyon, he played DIII Soccer and Lacrosse, volunteered with the local Fire Department, served as both an EMT and on the fire line, and worked as a resident advisor. He is also a member of the Lambda chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon. He is a member of Lookaway Golf Club, Sea Oaks Beach and Tennis Club, The Union League of Philadelphia, Balsam Lake Club, Trinity Episcopal Church, the Athenaeum of Philadelphia, and is a life member of Trout Unlimited.
Dave and his wife of forty-four years, Jacqui, have two married adult children, one grandson, one granddaughter, and one active Westie. They are active volunteers in several non-profits that focus on the environment and the issues of Poverty in America and their church. Dave is an avid fly fisherman and fly tier, and all things being equal would rather be on the waters of the Beaverkill.