J.D. , Law

B.S. , Administration Justice

B.S. , administration justice

law degree , administration justice

David grew up on a farm in western Missouri, not far from President Harry Truman's hometown of Independence.  His father was an engineer. His father and mother eventually opened a successful small business, which they still own today.  He earned a Bachelors Degree from MacMurray College, working summers for the Missouri Department of Transportation.  After college he returned to the Kansas City area, beginning a career as a police officer with the Independence Missouri Police Department.  He worked in Patrol, Crime Laboratory and Detective Divisions, eventually becoming a Major Case Investigator with Kansas City's "Metro Squad." 

In 1990, he entered law school at Washington University where he was a Teaching Assistant in legal research and writing for two years, worked summers at a St. Louis law firm and part-time at the United States Attorney's Office.  After law school, he clerked at the Alaska Court of Appeals and then opened his own law practice.  

In 1999, he returned to the Kansas City area and his first municipal manager's position for the suburban community of Oak Grove, Missouri.  Next, he served as the City Administrator of Ashland, Wisconsin, a charming full service port city on the shores of Lake Superior.  He moved to southern Oregon in 2005 to accept the position of City Manager with the rapidly growing community of Grants Pass, becoming a "Credentialed Manager" with the International City Management Association (ICMA).  

He recently left his position with Grants Pass where he continues to reside and remain active in the community as he plans the next phase of his career in public service.  He is excited about the challenges and opportunities that are ahead and remains enthusiastic about making our world a better place through service, leadership and education.