David started grantwriting in 1990 and became a full-time fundraising professional two years later when he became the Director of Development for the Herreshoff Marine Museum in Bristol, Rhode Island. The following year, the museum founded the America’s Cup Hall of Fame and David became responsible for administering a capital campaign to fund new construction, waterfront improvements, yacht restoration and mortgage reduction. Within five years, the Museum benefited from a national and international donor base and greatly improved facilities which include the Donald C. McGraw Pier and the Nathanael G. Herreshoff Model Room dedicated to Wm. Davis Taylor. Vantage in Philanthropy and the Herreshoff Marine Museum are collaborating once again on the Herreshoff 50 Capital Campaign.
In 1998, David co-founded Bristol Marine with an investor purchasing the former Bristol Yachts boatyard, manufacturing facilities and intellectual properties, from state receivership. As Vice President, David was responsible for investor relations, a multimillion dollar real estate rehabilitation project, rental operations, and the marketing and advertising for the new Bristol Marine boatyard and marina.
David returned to the nonprofit sector as Director of Development at Battleship Cove, the largest collection of historic naval ships in the country, where he was responsible for reviving its annual giving, capital improvements program, and assuming the management of the overall marketing and advertising for this naval history museum and veterans memorial. With national spokespeople, Emily and Dominic DiMaggio, David created the annual Victory at Sea 12-Meter Regatta and Gala into a high profile fundraising event. In collaboration with the Education Director and Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, David co-designed and administered the RITE Program (Raytheon Inspiring Technology Education), an initiative that earned this Raytheon division a Jade Award for community service. He also facilitated the establishment of the Battleship Cove Community Boating Program for Fall River’s underprivileged youth.
As part of his commitment to conservation, David became the Development Director for the Aquidneck Land Trust (representing Portsmouth, Middletown, and Newport, RI), a nationally-respected land preservation organization. Responsible for both a multi-faceted annual giving program and co-managing a $20 million Campaign for Living Land, David restructured his development staff, managed a record-breaking annual appeal, launched the organization’s planned giving program, and secured funds for the campaign’s land acquisition projects to include the Sakonnet Greenway Trail.
David currently serves as a Charter Consultant for Bluewater, www.bluewateryachting.com, in Fort Lauderdale and Newport. In this capacity, David is responsible for connecting discerning clients with luxury power and sailing yachts for charter vacations in the most exotic destinations and cruising grounds worldwide.
David was raised in Bristol, Rhode Island and graduated from Rhode Island College with a B.A. in Political Science. He owns a home built in 1740 in the historic Point neighborhood of Newport, Rhode Island, and shares a home in Fairfield, CT with his fiancé, Deirdre Murty and four children. David and Deirdre also share a home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where David has served on the Allocation Committee of the Town of Palm Beach United Way.