Meet Partner, David Field!

By Lori Thiel

An SDSVP Partner since 2000, David Field is a long-time proponent of renewable energy technologies, especially solar, and environmental stewardship. He co-founded a renewable energy company specializing in the production of renewable fuel additives (ethanol and methanol) and, following that established and managed a joint venture to develop and operate water infrastructure projects among municipalities and public agencies. David counts among his specialties commercializing sustainable energy technologies, raising investment capital, developing and leading high achieving management teams and driving investor returns. He recently took some time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for us:

You have an extensive background in energy, particularly renewable/sustainable energy. What do you think is the best energy source(s) for the next century and why?

I believe that rooftop solar is a “sleeping giant” that is only now awakening. Not only because I manage a solar technology and development company, but rooftop solar tends to be lower cost than all other delivered forms of renewable energy since it avoids incremental investment in unsightly transmission and distribution power lines. As a result of recent dramatic decreases in solar technology and financing structures that take advantage of government incentives, in many cases electricity produced from rooftop solar panels is now lower cost than comparable electricity purchased from our local utility — and that is significant!

You also have been president of the board of Coastkeeper. Do you consider yourself an environmentalist and, if so, how did you come to be one?

I consider myself to be a pragmatic environmentalist — meaning that I try to take into account and balance overall societal impacts versus solely protecting the environment at all costs. For example, one must ask the question, “Do the economic and security benefits of new water sources that are desperately required here San Diego outweigh the environmental costs associated with ocean desalination?” I believe in a balanced approach to protecting the environment, and in the case of ocean desalination, that it should proceed forward based on its societal benefits and in a way that minimizes (not eliminates) its impact on the environment.

How did you come to be involved with SDSVP?

I first joined SVP in Phoenix, Arizona in 2000 and became a partner in San Diego when I moved here in 2003. I believe very strongly in its mission and approach and have seen time, and time again, the effectiveness of the model.

What is the best thing about being involved in SDSVP?

The people. Because of the strength and depth of the partner base, innovative and creative approaches can be adapted to deal with issues that are unique to San Diego. For example, the success that the partnership has had in driving the establishment of the Equinox Center is truly amazing, especially now when one sees the quality of work and impact that Equinox is having on the community. This is a testament to the strength and vibrancy of SDSVP, its model, and most of all, its partners.

What is your favorite place in the world and why?

On my sailboat moored off of Catalina Island. The enormity of the ocean humbles oneself, the beauty of the shoreline is endless....and it’s so close to home in San Diego.

Please tell us about your family.

I am blessed to have a wonderful wife, Caroline and four children, Sarah (11), Katherine (13), Connor (17) and Tyler (20).

Please tell us about favorite pet.

We have a Belgian Malinois (think: police dog) that is the favorite of the family. Jack is truly a big playful child that redefines the phase “go fetch.”

How do you spend your days off?

Going to the beach or being on my boat are my preferred ways to spend my time. I can’t get enough of summertime and being outside in general.

Please tell us about a personal project you can’t wait to finish.

Cleaning and organizing the garage — seriously. Don’t want to start it, but can’t wait to finish it.

What is your most prized possession and why?

The things that I receive from my children tend to be my most prized possessions. Many are made by them, and I love the thoughtfulness that goes into them. For Father’s Day this year, my daughters hand-painted a shirt for me, which I wore with pride when we all went out to lunch to celebrate.

Please tell us one of the most useful or valuable things you ever learned.

Compassion. All of our lives are journeys that take us both up and down, and you never know which is coming next. It is not until we fall down in life do we truly gain the ability and further understand the need to feel and extend compassion towards others. I have been blessed by others in my life who have shown me compassion when I most needed it.

What is your most impressive useless talent?

Unfortunately, I probably have many useless talents, but the one that comes to mind the most — based upon being told as much by my children — is my ability to convey a plethora of useless factoids.

What book will you read at the beach this summer?

Right now, I am reading “The Next 100 Years” by George Friedman. An amazing analysis into our future.

What gets the most play on your iPod / MP3 player?

It depends upon my mood, which changes frequently.

Nobody in SDSVP knows that...

Until I was 21 years old, I spent every summer at a family cabin in northern Canada with no electricity, phone, roads (access by boat only), etc. Probably one of the most valuable learning experiences of my life and serves to define who I am today.