Dave is the only Central Coast member of the California Coastal Commission, having served as the vice-chair for five years.The California Coastal Commission oversees all coastal development in California, covering 1,100 miles of coastline from Mexico to Oregon, inland for several miles and three miles into the Pacific Ocean.

Dave's experience serving the state in this capacity has provided him with an extensive education on the importance of environmental preservation and economic development. It is his belief that economic development can occur in concert with environmental protection, that historic resources are an asset to economic development, which should be preserved and enhanced as part of California's vibrant economy.