The Ways We Choose

As a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War, Dave’s aircraft was destroyed over North Vietnam by a surface-to-air missile. He spent five and one half years as a P.O.W. in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton.” This experience taught him timeless lessons that have application in all of our lives.

As a motivational speaker, Dave relates his story as a P.O.W. to help people better understand the prison-like aspects they may experience in their personal and professional lives. Told with intensity and humor, he inspires and empowers others to overcome seemingly insurmountable difficulties and to gain a renewed sense of purpose, perspective, satisfaction, and control over their circumstances.

Dave’s history speaks directly to objectives of leadership and management as well as risk taking, accountability and empowerment. Forced into a horrible and unexpected situation, his inner strength as a leader emerged, and he, along with his fellow prisoners, had to creatively re-channel their thinking and communication skills just to survive. Dave has been able to successfully weave these stories and lessons with humor and impact for today’s businessperson.