David is a leader in brand-building and turnaround across multiple platforms, including magazines, eMedia, direct marketing, events and books. He has built strong eMedia and events businesses at a niche consumer publishing company as CEO, lead a dramatic turnaround of a $200M direct marketer as CEO, and was also instrumental in building/ redeveloping three of America’s top media brands: People magazine, Martha Stewart Living and TV Guide. His leadership, analytical, financial and creative skills propelled these brands into profitable new directions.

Currently David serves as President of InMarkit, an interactive shopping tool that empowers consumers to create on-demand wish lists that are device agnostic and accessible from any location.

Previously he served as CEO of F+W Media, a $200M niche consumer publisher where he created an integrated company with sustainable eMedia momentum out of a group of disparate print media acquisitions. When he was serving as President of TV Guide, he led the magazine’s transition from a digest-size magazine to a brand that is THE source for television guidance.

Before joining TV Guide, David was COO and President of Publishing at Martha Stewart Omnimedia (MSO) where he was responsible for nearly all of the company’s revenues. He co-authored the business plan and during his 8 year tenure MSO grew from $0 to $125M in revenues through launching a new business every year including magazines, television properties, a website, paint, books, catalog, etc. David began his career at Time Warner’s People Magazine, where he managed and directed all franchise development for People, including the development of special issues.

He has been honored by Advertising Age as one of their “Marketing 100” and by the American Advertising Federation with the Advertising Hall of Achievement Award. He is a former treasurer of the American Advertising Federation and held a seat on the Board of Directors of the Magazine Publishers of America.

David has long been active in non-profit work in the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) community including currently serving as the Chairman of the Board of the Point Foundation, the National GLBT Scholarship Fund; previously serving as Co-Chair of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Board of Directors and has also been active in several other organizations serving the community.

A graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences, David holds an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the College of Arts and Sciences. David lives in East Hampton, NY, and New York City with his partner Pierre Friedrichs.

At the time of our 35th reunion, David is CEO and President of ShermansTravel Media a leading online and mobile publisher of top travel deals and vacation destination advice based in NYC. Previously he served as President / COO of 20x200 the leading art commerce site offering limited edition prints at affordable prices. David is also leading the Development Committee for CUGALA (Cornell Gay and Lesbian Alumni Association) which is hosting its first ever reunion this June.

At the time of our 40th reunion, David is Managing Director of Overlook Enterprises where he delivers solutions to CEOs and Boards seeking to drive transformation of digital media and ecommerce businesses for improved bottom and top line performance. David serves on the board of Cornell Alumni Magazine and is a CAAAN interviewer. David lives with his husband, Pierre, in NYC and on Overlook Farms in East Chatham, NY where they raise beef cattle, chickens, pigs and alpaca.