In memory of Dave Wilson
Former VP Events Dave Wilson passed away on the 12th of February following a motorcycle accident the previous Saturday (9th February). Dave is survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons, to whom the IAIDQ extends heartfelt condolences.
Dave was a true servant-leader whose quiet ‘southern gent' charm, gentle wit and business sense were, from day one, an asset to the IAIDQ as we worked to establish the Association. As VP Events, Dave worked closely with Lwanga Yonke and our partners in Wilshire Conferences to develop the IDQ Conference as a high quality event that built on the legacy of Larry English's Information Quality Conferences – a stewardship challenge that Dave embraced wholeheartedly.
As a well travelled person, Dave was passionate about the need to ensure that the IAIDQ Board did not fail to recognise the ‘International' aspects of the Association. At our last Board Retreat, Dave encouraged the Board to start work to establish a European equivalent to the IDQ Conference. He also made efforts to attend at least one conference in the UK during his period in office.
To make that trip to London possible, Dave juggled ExxonMobil duties in London with his desire to spend as much time helping out on the IAIDQ stand at the conference. When faced by me in a slightly peeved mood due to the location of our stand (it was placed right outside the door to the toilets), Dave's considered advice was “Well, everyone will have to pass us at least once during the day”. He then paused and, with a wry grin, added “Let's just make sure we get them on the way out .”
With all that free coffee and water around the place, Dave was soon proved right.
Dave's last engagement as VP Events was the 2007 IDQ Conference in Las Vegas. While we knew leaving Las Vegas that IDQ2007 would be Dave's last conference as a Board member as work commitments had reduced his ability to serve the Association, he had assured us he would make every effort to be on hand to show people around San Antonio in September. None of us could have foreseen how abruptly Dave would be taken from us.
Dave's dedication and commitment to the IAIDQ and its goals will serve as an inspiration to us all as we continue to grow the organisation. I, for one, have already found myself asking “What would Dave do?” when considering courses of action in my service of the Association.
A consummate professional, a gentleman and a true friend, Dave will be missed by all of us in the IAIDQ who had the privilege to know him and work with him.
Daragh O Brien
28 Feb 2008Dave Wilson Memorial Website
International Association for Information and Data Quality
