Candidate for
Council Member; City of Vista

MEET DAVE

Dave's family relocated to North County from the High Desert community of Apple Valley, California, in 1962 when his mother, Mary Cowles, began teaching in the Vista Unified School District. Soon after that, Dave began his teaching career in Merced, California where he also served as a Principal and District Superintendent. Dave returned to his home in Vista when he was selected as the Vista Unified School District Superintendent in 1998. After his retirement from the School District, Dave was elected to the Vista City Council in 2010 where he has enjoyed working in an expanded capacity to make Vista a better place to live, work, and raise our families.

Dave enjoys spending time immersing himself in the activities and events that make Vista a special place to live, visit and work. Family has always been at the core of Dave's priorities and values. He is proud of his family that includes four children and five grandchildren. He knows the value of living in a community and region that makes children and grandchildren want to come and visit. These are the very qualities of our community that he would like to highlight as we work to make Vista a vacation and visitation destination while we take advantage of all the natural attractions and outstanding climate that we are blessed with.

While School Superintendent, Dave was successful in working with City officials from Vista, Oceanside, and Carlsbad to plan and build a number of critically needed new schools. Developing positive relationships with both business and government is a key factor in Dave's ability to get things done to benefit our community.