Former IAVM President David Ross, CFE, passed away last week after a long illness. He was 63 years old. The news brought forth many thoughts from IAVM leadership, current and past.
“What a wonderful person. I took the IAAM (IAVM) presidential gavel from David in San Antonio. He gave me a lot of advice during his term as president, and he told me to always carry a camera with me,” said Larry Perkins, CFE. “When I got to Hong Kong, Cliff Wallace had his chauffeur drive me all around and one of the first things I did was to buy a camera there, just like David’s. We all watched his kids grown up over the years as David and Sue attended the conference as a family. It was very nice to see and it was an inspiration to me as well.”
David joined the International Association of Auditorium Managers (IAAM, now called the International Association of Venue Managers) in 1985. He served as president of the board of IAAM in 2005-06, DAL-Universities in 1996 and again in 2001-03, District 3 vice president from 1997-99, a member of the IAAM Foundation Board of Trustees, Board of Regents, Board of Governors, Oglebay Alumni Association, and International Steering Committee. He has chaired the Budget and Finance Committee, Annual Conference Planning Committee, Nominating Committee, History & Awards Committee, and Bylaws Committee. He spent a total of nine years on the board of directors. David graduated from Public Assembly Facility Management School (now called Venue Management School) at Oglebay in 1993. He also earned his CFE in 1993. David graduated from the Senior Executive Symposium in 2006.
“David and I served together for many years on various IAVM boards and committees. He was passionate about our industry and we did not always agree on every issue,” said Jimmy Earl, CFE. “Moreover, David had a way of making it a win-win situation for all and was always highly prepared. The best time I remember with him was in Chattanooga for association business and David invited me to his childhood home for a visit. We had a wonderful southern meal and great fellowship and a great time and I got to know him just a little better. I mention that because the only other thing that was more important to him than his career was his family. He was totally devoted to Sue and the kids. Rest in peace my friend. We will miss you.”
During his presidency, he reacted quickly following the devastating Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma with the commissioning of the Mega Shelters Best Practices Guidelines. His appointment of Greg Davis, director of the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana, and the other committee members of the Task Force to lead this initiative proved to be a major accomplishment and benefit to the association’s membership and to the industry.
“David worked diligently to make IAVM the best that it could be — as a district VP, board member, and president,” said Steve Peters. “But I think his greatest gift to our industry was the way he greeted everyone he met with his warm smile, his gentle manner, and slow, gravelly southern drawl. Dave never met a stranger. Many, many people working in our industry today owe their start to this kind, gentle man.”
Todd Hunt, CFE, first met David in 1992 when he interviewed for a position at the Show Me Center in Missouri.
“He was wise enough not to hire me for a job I wasn’t qualified for, and that became a running joke between us for the past 24 years,” Hunt said. “As managers of small market venues, we bonded often over issues we both faced. His passion for the industry and for IAVM will be missed but his friendship will be missed even more.”
David was also instrumental in securing the VMA Affiliation Agreement in 2007.
“He will always be remembered for successfully negotiating an affiliation agreement between IAVM and the Venue Management Association, expanding a global membership within Australasia,” said John Siehl, CFE. “I also remember David being instrumental in the continuation of the archival history of IAAM and IAVM, working diligently to ensure document collection, date preservation and capturing video testimonial clips and stories from members.”
David was awarded the Charles A. McElravy Award, our industry’s highest honor, in 2010. He is survived by his wife, Susan; his daughter, Erin; his son, Bryan and Bryan’s wife Jennifer; and their son and David’s grandson, Owen.
“David never met a man (a person) he didn’t like,” said Dexter King, CFE. “He was always so engaging, no matter who you were, expressing his personal interest—in what you were saying, what your situation was, how you were doing. Warm and friendly in a disarming manner, he made instant friends of total strangers.”
(Image: Orange Photography)
