|
Dave draws from his many years of experience owning and operating small businesses in Central Pennsylvania. He started in business while in grade school selling Burpee seeds, Cheerful Greeting Cards, Grit, TV Guide and the local newspaper, door to door. While in high school he bought a printing press and began selling printing services.
During his first year in high school he went to work for The Camera Shop in downtown Altoona. From high school he entered college. In his second year in college he bid on the food concessions at a local State Park. Winning the concession at 19 he became the youngest State Park concession operator.
After two years of operating the park food concessions he determined that a seasonal business is "tougher" than a year round operation and decided to sell. The following year he quit college and bought a one half ownership in the store. He was 21.
During the next ten years the business expanded adding four more stores, a photo finishing lab, audio visual company and microfilm service bureau. At the age of 27 he began buying rental property in the Altoona area. Four years later he began buying and managing student apartments in State College and Altoona.
In 1981, while continuing to operate the real estate business, he went back to college on a part time basis to complete an undergraduate degree. With a new found appreciation for higher education he then went on to earn a Masters degree in Business Administration at the Pennsylvania State University. During that time he taught classes in real estate and marketing.
In 1997 he bought a controlling interest in local radio station Q94. Additional radio station purchases became what is known locally as the Radio Campus. There are other business enterprises Dave continues to operate. These days he spends his time "stirring up the soup" on WRTA's Two Way radio.
Dave credits whatever success he has accomplished to his wife Becky, his parents, who taught him the value of work and persistence, and to loyal, hard working employees who are willing to take the plunge into new challenges with him. He and his wife have four children, Scott, Kimberly, Jennifer and Adam. They have eleven grandchildren, at last count. |
.jpg)
