Prior to joining TACF, David worked at the University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNC-Asheville) in various roles in the office of University Advancement. During that time, David oversaw and managed the foundations endowments, worked with various elected officials, community members, and donors to enhance their relationship with the University. He also worked closely with various departments to ensure donated funds were used fully and stewarded appropriately. He brings a vast array of a skills form database reporting and optimization, project evaluation, and donor stewardship and event planning.
When asked about what he is looking forward to the most about TACF, David responded, “It is so exiting to join such a diverse and fascinating team of volunteers, scientists, donors, and staff who are all on the quest of saving and revitalizing such a quintessential part of the American landscape. We have all seen or partaken in a tree planting ceremony and seen the growth of trees over time…. I’m looking forward to seeing, celebrating, and being a part of when the American chestnut has its own homecoming, so to speak, and is once again a vibrant part of our natural environment.”
A North Carolina native, originally from Greensboro, David fell in love with the Western North Carolina mountains and the outdoors after participating in a Junior year backpacking trip through the Pisgah National Forest in high school. This love of the outdoors lead him to attend and graduate from UNC-Asheville with a degree in Business Administration. David recently received a master’s in Public Administration and a certificate in non-profit management from Villanova University.