David Sanders

With a passion for service, Dave began his career as a teacher working with economically disadvantaged young adults in the Federal Job Corps. He also volunteered as a Big Brother with the United Way for a year.

In the IT field, Dave worked for Microsoft supporting Windows Server. In the user group community, Dave built and has served as President of one of the largest and most active groups in the US (Carolina IT Pro Group) for 15 years.

He also founded and built the Microsoft based user group support organization, Culminis to a membership base of more than three million.

Dave has worked as a Developer, DBA, Network Admin and IT Project Manager during his career.

Dave served on the Board of the men's homeless shelter in Charlotte, NC and currenlty serves as a Board member for organizations such as Autism speaks and for local community colleges. An active supporter of children in need and the homeless, he has led efforts to set up and man computer labs for inner city kid’s programs and homeless shelters as well as raising funds and awarenmess of the needs and challenges of those less fortunate.

For his efforts, the city of Charlotte awarded him the Hometown Hero award and the state3 of NC awarded him and his organization the Blue Diamond Award (the state's highest award) five times.

He was honored as one of 14 IT community leaders identified by Bill Gates as significant world influencers and received an outstanding achievement award from Mr. Gates.

He was featured in Redmond magazine for work in IT communities and honored by the University of Virginia in for his contributions to the IT community and the university.

An author in his spare time, his latest novel, SPIRIT WIND is in major bookstores.