In 1987 Dave was given the task of developing and executing a strategic plan that would increase Gates' Automotive OEM sales to Japanese automotive transplants from $700,000 to $20 million in 5 years. Dave managed to increase sales to $9.0 million and was asked in 1992 to design, staff, and lead a team of 5 that would take the business the rest of the way to $20 million.
In 1992 Dave was accepted into The University of Michigan's Business School in Ann Arbor. Dave was attending evening courses when in April of 1994 he was offered an opportunity to manage Gates' Industrial and Automotive OEM marketing efforts in the Asia/Pacific and Latin America. Leaving 19 earned credit hours behind; Dave moved westward to Gates' headquarters in Denver, Colorado and became the Manager of International OEM Marketing.
Three years in the APLA Division of Gates culminated in a year as the Manager of International Business Development, where Dave was responsible for non-organic growth in the Asia Pacific region.
In 1997 Dave was offered a promotion in Gates' domestic operations.
He began working at the age of 14 to help with family obligations. As a newspaper carrier for the Flint Journal Dave quickly learned the value of hard work, customer service, and timely receipt of payment. At the age of 17 Dave began as a salesman in the hardware department of the local Sears store where he learned much about customer service and solution selling. After graduating from Flushing High School in 1980 he began preparing for his future as a Computer Science student at the University of Michigan-Flint, while managing to maintain 25 hours per week at Sears.
Economic conditions in Flint were harsh in the early 1980's. By contrast Houston was booming. So Dave set out for Texas where he joined the Gates Rubber Company in 1984 as a District Manager with the Automotive Aftermarket group. Dave also enrolled in evening classes at the University of Houston. While at U of H Dave changed from a Computer Science major to one in Business. In 1986 Dave was named District Manager of the Year and offered a promotion and transfer to Gates' Automotive Original Equipment Division in Detroit, Michigan. Dave moved to Southeast Michigan.
Dave has strongly contributed to Covad becoming a leading national broadband Internet Service Provider. The majority of his time at Covad has been managing B2B marketing programs; including business development, management of a $30 million advertising budget, on-line sales, media strategy, direct marketing programs, and offer development. Dave was a key member of a team that launched Covad's direct sales channel in late 2000. This channel now accounts for over 40% of Covad's annual revenue and has amassed over 100,000 subscribers. Most recently Dave led the strategic development and implementation of a $20 million mass media effort that doubled Covad's direct sales within 90 days.
Dave has enjoyed his time at Covad and has performed successfully in Covad's entrepreneurial environment. More importantly he has thrived in a direct B2B marketing environment.
One of the pillars supporting Dave's belief regarding the foundation for success is a preparation for the future. As such Dave feels it is time to seek another challenge with a new organization where he can build upon his vast array of B2B marketing experience and continue to expand his skill base.