Who Is Dr Dave? (2015)

I am a Husband and Father

I’m a father of four and a husband to a wonderful wife. They are the greatest joy in my life. One of the reasons I'm involved in the community is to help provide them, and their children, a great place to grow up and grow old. Community feels like an extension of family, and we have tried to serve where able, including fostering a few children over the years in our Provo home.

Why I'm Running for City Council

I love being involved in the community and serving my neighbors. I’ve served as the chair of Dixon Neighborhood and the Timpanogos Elementary School Community Council, and as vice-chair of the City’s Transportation and Mobility Advisory Committee. I’m running for City Council because I believe it is where I can best serve my neighbors right now.

Heritage and Perspective

My family roots in Provo go back eight generations. The Provo City Cemetery was established in 1853 and five people died that year and are buried there; two of them are my direct ancestors. My father was born in Provo, as was his father, and his father, and his father before him. I, on the other hand, was born and raised in Salt Lake City. I have since seen the error of my ways and have come home.  In the nine years that my family has lived here, we have tried to participated fully in our community, particularly enjoying Provo's Downtown and pioneer neighborhoods, the arts and entertainment our city provides, our beautiful parks and river trail, and our exceptional schools. We know the area, the challenges, and the opportunities. Most importantly, we know that the real treasure of Provo is the people: we love our great neighbors. We love our Provo.
Growing up in Salt Lake, I experienced a different community. I saw how they approached various challenges, and watched as the consequences played out. It has broadened my perspective. Provo today is facing some of the same issues that Salt Lake faced twenty years ago. For example, the public debate over BRT felt like de ja vu, having watched a similar debate when Trax was proposed. (And I am confident that our BRT system will be just as successful.) My experience and perspective can help inform discussions and may help Provo avoid some of the mistakes and make the most out of opportunities that arise.

I am a Scientist and Engineer

I earned a doctorate at the University of Utah in the area of Materials Science. (Yes, Doctor Dave is one of those doctors, not a physician.) I can send a copy of my dissertation, "Impact of Mesostructure on Functional Properties of Granular Diamond Composites" to anyone suffering from insomnia. I parlayed that expertise in polycrystalline diamond into a career with a Utah County medical device company which develops orthopedic implants with diamond wear surfaces. While at Dymicron, I've become an R&D engineer and a spine scientist. As an engineer, it’s my job to find elegant solutions to difficult problems. As a scientist, I’m trained to question assumptions and critically evaluate evidence. This background will be helpful on the Council as we take on difficult problems and are presented with intricate proposals.

I am Prepared to Serve on the Council

Over the years, I have engaged with Council members on a variety of topics in my roles as a neighborhood leader and concerned citizen. The more that I've engaged, the more interested I've become in City policy. Over the years I occasionally attended Council meetings and even a few Council work sessions. This has become a regular habit this past year. Sitting in on these meetings, and engaging with the Council afterwards, has given me a broader understanding of the issues facing our City. I am familiar with the challenges and opportunities facing the Pioneer Neighborhoods due to my work as neighborhood chair. And I've interacted with involved citizens from across the City on a range of issues. I am still listening and learning, but I am well prepared to represent the concerns and interests of the Central District on our City Council.