David founded OWA in 1979 and served as Director from the outset until 2004 when he turned over the reins. He now serves as Director Emeritus and continues to be actively involved. He is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Texas A&M with a degree in Resource Economics. He previously served as Associate Director at Camp Stewart in Texas and is a graduate of the ACA's Model B Institute for Camp Directors. He is a Past President of the Camping Association for Mutual Progress and is a Wilderness First Responder. He's a NORBA Expert mountain bike racer and participates in several ultra-endurance events each year and has expedition experience all over the Western Hemisphere including climbing expeditions in Alaska, Canada, Switzerland, Argentina and Ecuador; mountain bike explorations on previously unridden trails in Bolivia and Mexico's Copper Canyon; and backountry trips all over the western US and in Mexico. In 2004 he was recognized by the Campaign for America's Wilderness as a Wilderness Hero. He is fluent in Spanish and while not guiding divides his time between Texas and Colorado. He and wife, Lori have one daughter-- Adair.