David was born and raised in the east bay, Berkeley, Richmond and Lafayette. He graduated from Foothill College and Fresno State University (BA social sciences). After college David worked in food production, retail sales, ran a small business in entertainment production and promotion. Worked on a State Assembly district staff and later as staff in county supervisor’s office. David took up an offer of a job as a carpenter which he thought it would be short term. This led to a 4-year apprenticeship and 20 years as a working carpenter. During the mid-1990 David taught wood shop at night through the Palo Alto adult education program at Palo Alto High School. David spent his final 13 working years as a business agent for the Carpenters Union.