David classifies himself as an engineer, but with a strong emphasis on strategic management. He graduated from the University of Auckland with degrees in Engineering (1987) and Commerce (2002), and is a Chartered Engineer and a Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

David joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) in 1986 and served for almost 18 years as an Engineering Officer. His career covered a variety of engineering and strategic planning roles in Auckland and in Wellington. David travelled extensively throughout his career, spending periods in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East.

David had a strong association with the Orion maritime patrol aircraft during his career. He filled a range of maintenance and engineering support roles as a junior officer; spent time in Wellington on secondment to the Ministry of Defence during a planned upgrade of the aircraft in the late 1990s, and was posted to 5 Squadron as the Engineering Officer towards the end of his career.

David left the Air Force in 2004 to take up a role with Transfield Services within the New Zealand Rail infrastructure maintenance alliance. As the Alliance Support Manager he had nationwide responsibility for health and safety, quality and risk, procurement and logistics, human resources and training. As you would expect, this was a huge change for David - transiting from the comfort of a Wellington office to the rumblings of the Otahuhu rail yards. The role provided a range of challenges, but the most rewarding was the opportunity to continue the drive to improve safety within the industry - winning hearts and minds to keep people safe. He enjoyed the honesty and warmth of the people, and the passion for rail in New Zealand.  David left the rail industry in February 2007 to join SPM Consultants as General Manager.

David is responsible for SPM's New Zealand operation. He is active in all aspects of the New Zealand business, including project delivery for local government, central government, health, education, infrastructure, and commercial sectors. He is also active in the development and implementation of internal process improvements to support the growth within the company as it expands within New Zealand and into Australia.

David's unique background compliments the industry specific expertise within the company. His knowledge of central government structure, policies, and planning provides a unique insight, particularly within the context of Treasury's Capital Asset Management (CAM) framework. His experience within aeronautical and rail environments also provides alternative perspectives and approaches that can be considered in terms of providing pragmatic and practice solutions for clients in all sectors.

Using his background and experience, David has lead projects for clients across a range of industries and sectors. These include projects for the Ministry of Education, the Department of Internal Affairs, Housing New Zealand, Vector Arena, THE EDGE, Waikato District Health Board, South Canterbury District Health Board, Northland District Health Board, Auckland City Council, Waitakere City Council, and North Shore City Council. He has also delivered a range of training to groups within the local government, health, and commercial sectors.

David's family is his first priority and a tremendous support to him.

Considering family and then work David doesn't seem to have too much spare time, but he does maintain an interest in a range of activities. David had a passion for dinghy and keelboat racing while at University, but the focus more recently has been on the pleasures of family cruising. With the use of a friend's yacht he introduced his family to the joys of sailing, and over recent summers the family has used the boat to explore the Hauraki Gulf and the Bay of Islands. He's also used the opportunity to enjoy his love of scuba diving, chasing crayfish and gathering scallops.

When the opportunity presents, David also loves photography. The interest started when he received a 35mm SLR for his 21st, and it was revived recently when his wife presented him with a digital SLR for his birthday. He has spent many hours with family and friends, capturing important moments and wonderful scenery from around New Zealand. He has also taken a liking to Photoshop, and inconsistently produces images he's proud of. SPM even used one for its 2008 Christmas card.

David maintains a passive interest in aviation. He holds a pilots licence and has flown paragliders, but it has been some time since he flew either. His goal for 2009 is to renew his pilots licence and to take his Dad aerobatic flying again - it's unlikely he'll convince his wife to fly upside down.