David was raised in Philadelphia and later moved to San Diego. Dave graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts in economics. He is a second-generation insurance broker, his father having been a widely respected broker in the San Diego area for over thirty years. David began his insurance career as an underwriter trainee with the Industrial Indemnity, and later becoming a designated underwriter. In 1984 he joined HRH Insurance Agency as a vice president of sales. After six years he resigned to become associated with the Ehrenfeld Company.