Professional Expertise
David is an experienced C-level executive and coach who collaborates with senior leaders of large organizations to enhance leadership and upgrade results.
As an executive coach, David focuses on identifying and expediting the highest value development areas for successful executives who are:
- involved in a new or different role,
- being prepared for succession to a more senior role,
- looking to refresh or reinvigorate their leadership, or
- leading organizations needing or undergoing significant change.
David has extensive business experience in P&L leadership, technology, professional services, and as a coach. He’s lived on both coasts of the U.S., and works on engagements around the country, and abroad, including in Australia, the EU, Singapore, and Canada. While he started his career literally in the mail room of a bank, David committed to his own training and development that led over many years to a wide range of senior management positions. His particular strength was as a startup executive within larger organizations, culminating in his role as founder and head of Charles Schwab’s Mutual Fund Clearing business, which he built from zero to $21 billion in assets in just three years.
David combines years of experience as an executive and a coach with a style that has been described as candid, pragmatic, humorous at times, and definitely results-oriented. While supporting and guiding clients in all areas of their current challenges, he holds them accountable to their high priority development areas and vision. Clients say David’s experience as an executive and his engaging style enrich their work together, and its outcomes. His current and recent clients are in various industries, including aerospace, financial services, professional services, retail, defense, health care (i.e., services, biotechnology, medical device technology), energy, manufacturing, travel/leisure, and staffing.
Recent Coaching Assignments
- Successor to the CEO of a Fortune 100 firm to prepare for the larger role, including an extensive evaluation, challenging goals, and taking on / consolidating new organizational functions
- Several top executives of a Fortune 50 global technology firm to adapt more effective leadership strategies and approaches following the departure of the CEO, and a new CEO in place
- Head of Global Production for 1/3 of the world, and Head of Health, Safety, and Environment / Operational Integrity for an upstream energy company to address development areas identified in a round of EVP evaluations
- Multiple executives at a leading Private Equity firm focused on deals, and others on development of portfolio companies
- Leadership team of a health care firm to address issues of trust, teamwork, communication, and effective collaboration
- Leadership team of an intrapreneurial / competitive investment banking firm to identify areas / issues of teamwork, collaboration, and cooperation
- Senior Litigation Partner of a multibillion dollar law firm to be more entrepreneurial in his practice development, and to develop a stronger team of associates, enabling him to take the lead on larger cases
- President of an aerospace/defense company to achieve aggressive business goals by evaluating and enhancing leadership skills, developing a culture of greater engagement among leadership team and rank and file, and implementing continuous organizational learning and improvement
- Senior Vice President of a global travel and hospitality business to prepare for a promotion, enhance strategic and bottom-line contributions, and work more effectively with managers, peers, and direct reports
- CEO/Founder of a health care staffing firm to improve business results and leadership team effectiveness through enhancing organizational design, incentive programs, influencing skills, and delegation
- Managing Director new to an investment banking firm to rapidly develop internal credibility and effectiveness in a highly visible role by identifying and being held accountable to specific goals
Education and Professional Affiliations
- BFA, New York University
- Certified Leadership Coach, Leadership Executive Coaching Program, Georgetown University
- NASD Series 7, 24, and 63 securities licenses (inactive)
- Completed Miller Heiman Institutional Sales training
- Experienced in PriceWaterhouse Change Integration and System Management methodologies
- Member of International Coach Federation