Meet Dave
As the son of a dairy farmer, and the oldest of six children, I always envied my friends from town who never had to milk cows or clean barns. But the daily chores and the summers filled with field work taught me something far more valuable than I realized at the time: self-sufficiency, a deep sense of responsibility, and an unshakeable belief that some things just have to be done. Failure or dereliction is simply not an option. Those lessons have followed me throughout my life.
After high school, a lifelong interest in politics led to a degree in political science from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. From there, I spent four years as a communications specialist in the U.S. Navy—an experience that sharpened my discipline and broadened my sense of the world. I then earned an advanced degree in foreign trade from the American Graduate School of International Management in Arizona. An ad in the Wall Street Journal led me to Bryan, Ohio, as the export manager for a local pharmaceutical company. I’ve been here ever since.
In 1981, my first wife and I welcomed a daughter, and a few months later, we founded Daavlin, a manufacturer of medical products sold to dermatologists throughout the world. Starting with little more than grit and a dream, we built Daavlin into the predominant player in the photo-therapeutic market for skin diseases such as psoriasis and vitiligo. Today, the company employs over a hundred people. Nurturing something from nothing teaches lessons no classroom can: relentless persistence, unwavering dedication, and a mind that stays open even when the path is uncertain.
My first marriage ended, and in the years that followed, I met and married my second wife, Dee, who brought two young daughters to our new family. Dee passed away in 2008, leaving a mark on our family that endures to this day. I remain a widower.
Since retirement, I've had the privilege of being part of a growing renaissance in Bryan's historic downtown. I've dedicated myself to the rehabilitation of two iconic old buildings on the square and opened a popular new restaurant in one of them. I'm also raising a boutique hotel in the building next door, which will soon welcome visitors to experience the vibrant community taking shape here.
Beyond business, I've been a longtime and avid supporter of the arts, served on the board of the Bryan Hospital for several years, and currently serve on the Chairman's Circle of Advisors at the Johns Hopkins Hospital department of dermatology.
Northwest Ohio provided both the opportunity and the foundation that I needed to build a strong company and a meaningful life. I am a great fan of this place—its people, its potential, and its future. If elected, I will bring the same work ethic I learned on that dairy farm to the work of ensuring that everyone has a fair shot at the blessings this state has to offer. I won't just be a representative for those who voted for me—I'll work every day for every Ohioan. And, I will do so with honesty, fairness, and decency.
