​ During a 30-year military career, Dave served in combat units-including deployment during the Persian Gulf War-and as a professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point. While on active duty, he was able to continue his formal education, earning two master's degrees in national security studies and a doctorate in physics.

​ Upon retiring from the Army as a colonel, Dave returned home, where he currently works as the chief financial officer of a small engineering firm. Before being elected to the Montana House of Representatives in 2018, he served on the Hamilton School Board for nine years (chairing the board for seven of those years).

​ During the 2021 legislative session, Dave served on the House Appropriations Committee and chaired the Joint Appropriations Subcommittee for Education. Presently, he is chairing the Education Interim Budget Committee, which is responsible for monitoring execution of the state budget and ensuring that legislative intent is being met.