Foundation Board Member

David Gomberg

The OCCC Foundation is honored that one of its Board members is State Representative for House District 10 on the Central Coast, David Gomberg. David has served on the Board for at least six years that he can recall. For as long as can be remembered, he has gleefully and enthusiastically co-emceed Pearls of Wisdom. David’s love for OCCC is expressed in this interview.

I was born in England. My father was in the U.S. Air Force and my mom was a war bride. When I was less than a year old, we moved to the United States.

After graduating from Sacramento High School, I enrolled in Oregon State University and received both a BA in political science and an MA in economic history and political science. While at OSU, I served as the Student Body President which opened my eyes to the role government plays on affecting the lives of people.

I transferred to Willamette University for an MBA degree. Immediately upon graduation, I began working with Congress as staff.

Thirty-two years ago, I met my wife, Susan. I like to say on my resume that marrying her is my greatest accomplishment. We moved to the Newport area so I could run the Chamber of Commerce in Lincoln City.

Two years later, we opened a kite business with three retail stores and three websites. We not only sold the kites: we manufactured them. Some of our kites were as large as the biggest balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It takes a great deal of skill and expertise to show and maneuver kites some weighing as much as 30 to 40 pounds. Susan and I have shown our kites at Walt Disney resorts, Super Bowl games, the London Millennial Celebration and more than forty countries. In 2018, we sold the retail portion of our company. I find that being a good State Representative keeps me sufficiently busy.

I have always been a supporter of OCCC even as far back to the days before the College had a tax base. At that time, the “campus” was in store fronts and office buildings. For at least the past six years, I have served as a member of the Foundation Board of Directors. It gives me a special opportunity to be part of the College and to help assemble resources the College needs to help students be successful.

At Pearls, the Foundation’s major annual fundraising event, I serve as co-emcee with Birgitte Ryslinge. It is such a joy to work with her. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to do a task you thoroughly enjoy.

A few years ago, I was honored to give a Commencement Address and shared with the graduates that there are three types of people in the world: successful; lucky; and disappointed. Of course, the harder you work, the luckier you are. I have had my share of disappointments.

To OCCC students I would like to say that I found disappointments occur when I failed to take stock of my learning. Preparation is key. You never know what opportunities you will face in life. College provides you with the tools to be better prepared and always be ready for those opportunities when they present themselves.

To prospective donors, I would like to say that OCCC changes lives. With your support of the College, you may change lives. Lincoln County built something we can be proud of. OCCC does not just focus on degree-path students. It provides continuing education and classes in art, history, music, technology, small business development and so much more.

David and Susan share their home in north Lincoln County with rescue Samoyed huskies and cats. Along with his duties as a Foundation Board member and Pearls Committee member, David is an indefatigable advocate for education and OCCC in the State House of Representatives.

Look for David and Dr. Ryslinge at Pearls of Wisdom on March 5, 2022. For all that you do, David, thank you!