Since joining the company in 2007, Discovery Office Systems GM Dave McReynolds has been commuting to the Santa Rosa headquarters three days each week and to the company’s Sacramento office the remaining two. From Lodi—ouch!
Happily, he’s recently relocated to Novato with his two young sons. Next on the major life change list? “I’m engaged to be married June 18 to a wonderful woman who has two boys the same ages as mine [seven and 10]. It proves to be very enjoyable with four boys.”
What did you do professionally before joining Discovery Office?
I followed my father’s footsteps and joined the United States Air Force. My intention was to travel and see the world, but my first four-year duty station was McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento—right back home!
My first three years of service were as a VFR tower controller. I later applied and was accepted for the position of inertial navigation, weapons release control systems technician. It was there I learned the true satisfaction of working with others for a common goal and accomplishing a mission. I also found working on and troubleshooting electronics was both challenging and very rewarding.
What do you love to do outside of work?
I enjoy mountain biking, camping and traveling to other countries. Recently, I’ve experienced the pain of snow skiing and the frustration of golf. I find golf much more enjoyable when you neglect to fill out the scorecard.
Describe an embarrassing life moment.
Climbing into a car that was the same make, model and color as mine, but not the right items inside the car. Then realizing it wasn’t my car and quickly getting out—only to find the owner standing outside with a lot of questions!
If you could have personally witnessed one event in history, what would you want to have seen?
Chuck Yeager breaking of the sound barrier. With the apprehension of death and destruction at the impenetrable Mach 1, it must have been a charged moment for both the pilot and the ground crew to defy all the odds.
Growing up, did you have any family rules that seemed unfair?
“Brush your teeth for five minutes.” Have you ever tried brushing your teeth for five whole minutes?
How many bones have you broken?
While in high school in Sacramento, some classmates and I went to the Sierras to romp in the freshly fallen snow. Not being skiers, we brought suicide saucers and, being macho boys showing off in front of the ladies who joined our trip, we built a snow ramp over a very small creek. Down the hill I charged on my uncontrollable saucer and lost grip of one of the handles as I approached the jump. Coming down with my hand under the saucer searching for the handle, I landed on my wrist. I arrived back home with my wrist twice its normal size and realized—through my mother’s panic—I was in for a hospital visit and my first (and, to this point) last cast.
If you couldn’t fail, what would you do?
Eradicate our world of all forms of child abuse and neglect. Accomplish this and I believe the results will last far beyond the reaches of our minds’ understanding!
What advice can you give that can help people conquer fear?
Look at what you fear and understand it, observe all those before you who have accomplished the identical entity or activity that you fear. Most of us need a focal point of inspiration, let them be yours. If it’s been done before, it can be done again!
What fuels you?
Seeing the end result. Watching a carefully planned objective successfully accomplished. Especially when it brings others to a greater level of success in someone’s career or life’s voyage.
What’s something mischievous you’ve done?
In high school, there was a pretty (yet snobbish) young lady who drove a Volkswagen Beetle. On our campus, there were two beautiful, old oak trees that were spaced about six inches farther apart than the length of her Volkswagen. We carefully carried her car and placed it lengthwise between the trees, then laughed as her friends tried maneuvering the car forward and reverse out of its position. After hours of unsuccessful attempts, we assisted her by carrying it back out.
What’s something you regret having sold, lost or given away? Why?
A 1972 red MG Midget. If ever I had a car with a unique personality, this was it. It hated me, but it would run perfect for any other driver—it was a love-hate relationship.
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word “fun”?
Spending time with our four boys hard at play. Living life through their eyes!
