- Dave Chalk (entrepreneur)
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For other uses, see Dave Chalk.
David Chalk Born David Ian Chalk
September 9, 1958
London, England, U.K.Nationality Canadian Education University Fraser Valley Doctorate in Technology, 2006 (most recent) Occupation Entrepreneur, Business Broker, Technology Futurist, Educator, Media Personality, Keynote Speaker, Venture Capitalist, CEO of Decision-Zone Inc. Notable works Founder, Chalk Media (Sold to Research in Motion), 1997–2007
Founder, Doppler Computer Superstores, 1985–1997Spouse Keely Chalk Children 2 Website www.davidchalkinc.com
www.decision-zone.comDavid Ian "Dave" Chalk (born September 9, 1958) is a Canadian technology entrepreneur and media personality best known as the host of the syndicated Dave Chalk's Computer Show.[1] Chalk first entered the technology business by launching his own computer store, Doppler Computer Superstores.[2] He subsequently launched a technology consulting firm, Chalk Media,.[3] Chalk subsequently hosted programming on computers and technology for radio, television and in-flight broadcasting systems on Air Canada [19], as well as contributing to The Globe and Mail[4]
Contents
Early life
Chalk was born in London, England, and relocated with his family to British Columbia, Canada as a youth. Chalk has said that it was very difficult to grow up in South Burnaby, BC in the 1960s and recalls that having severe dyslexia and other afflictions he acquired from brain damage at birth meant being dealt with like a pariah.[5]
Education
Chalk never finished his university degree and barely graduated from high school. Chalk was born with an undiagnosed learning disability, a severe form of dyslexia,[6] which made it difficult to learn in the traditional academic setting. Chalk thinks in pictures rather than words, and reading and remembering are major challenges for him.[7]
Despite a challenging childhood and adolescence with the public school system, Chalk was rewarded many years later with an Honorary Doctorate of Technology for his years of accomplishments in the tech field. The University of Fraser Valley’s Alumni Association board nominated Chalk for the honorary doctorate and noted in its nomination document that, “David’s perseverance and determination to excel and achieve success, regardless of adversity, is an inspiration and motivation to all..."[8]
Career highlights
Chalk started video streaming on the early days of the Internet and developed the first video engine for Yahoo! in 1999, raising $60 million in capital.[9] In 1983, Chalk created the first Canadian Technology Magazine, Computer Buyer Magazine.[10] In 1984, Chalk created what would become the chain of Computer Superstores, Doppler. Chalk designed and developed a retail sales management system, built in house, to facilitate Doppler's operations by barcode and multi-location communications. Ernst & Young certified its functionality and assisted in selling it to other industries.[11] By the mid-90s, Chalk turned around a $150 million US Retailer (Ballard Computer) from Chapter 11.[12] Chalk acquired Ballard from Fred Paulsell, the original venture capitalist who founded Costco.[13] Chalk has also appeared on speaking tours for Microsoft on behalf of Bill Gates.[14]
Chalk established the longest-running technology show in Canada ("Dave Chalk's Computer Show"),[15] created the first open-line national radio show on the Corus Radio Network for computer education, and created a training software company, Chalk Media,[16] which he later sold to RIM (Research in Motion).[17]
Consultant
Chalk has been asked to consult with industry leaders such as Bill Gates on retail store design for Microsoft, Martha Stewart on technology implementation for Omnimedia, Charles Lippincott (franchiser of Star Wars & Industrial Light & Magic), and Charles Wang on retail product positioning for Computer Associates.[18]
Keynote speaking
Chalk has spent 20 years educating and sharing his lessons through keynote speaking engagements and has given in excess of 300 talks over the years including Stanford Aerospace,[19] MIT on Corporate Culture, the Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta, Educational Computing Network of Ontario, the Saskatchewan Institute of Technology and Applied Science.[20] Chalk has spoken to Fortune 1000 companies and Government organizations including 3M, Best Buy, Bekins Transport, Canada Post, China Government Department of Planning, J.D. Edwards, Ford, Princess Cruises, RBC Financial Group, Sunlife and Xerox.[21]
Awards
Chalk has created many award winning marketing campaigns including: Verizon, Royal Bank, Sony, Samsung, HSBC Bank, Research in Motion - BlackBerry, FutureShop, SaskTel,[22] Microsoft, TELUS, UnderArmour, Business Objects, and Air Canada.[23]
Chalk has been recognized by his peers for his work including the Retail Council of Canada: Most Outstanding Marketer;,[24] YEO: Entrepreneur of the Year;,[25] 3 Telly awards for TV programming;[26] and a Freddie Award for Best International Educational Documentary: “An insight into life with Dyslexia & learning disabilities.”[27] In addition, Chalk’s media production company that produced his technology show, Connected Life, won numerous awards over a 12-year period, aired in 9 countries (including in-flight on Air Canada)[28] and was rated by TV Guide as 'One of the 50 Best Shows on TV'.[29]
Venture capitalist
Chalk’s most significant fund raising success came during the dot-com era in 1999 when he negotiated with Silicon Valley’s Michael Moritz of Sequoia Capital.[30] Moritz also green-lighted Chalk’s web company to raise $480 million for online video content pre-YouTube.[31]
Commercial pilot
Chalk is a licensed commercial airline pilot and is part owner of Sky Helicopters, a helicopter courier and commuter company in Vancouver, BC.[32]
References
- ^ [1] Online reference for Dave Chalk's Computer Show
- ^ [2] Doppler Computer Superstore was a wholly owned subsidiary of Asean Holdings, which was listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. See: "The Company, through it's [sic] wholly owned subsidiary Doppler Computer Superstore, is engaged in the sale of computer hardware, software and peripherals, focusing on the rapidly expanding computer retail industry."
- ^ Chalk News & Events, Press Release: "RIM to Acquire Chalk Media Corp," Dec 11, 2008. [3]
- ^ For example, "Search engine savvy = sales success," Dave Chalk, Globe and Mail, Technology Section, May 04, 2007. and "Carbon credits come with a cost," Dave Chalk, Globe and Mail, Technology Section, Jan. 22, 2008. [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/article658746.ece
- ^ Interview with Roger B. Jones, June 7, 2010
- ^ "Are you listening? Tune up your ears to realize business success," By Sylvia A. Thorpe, Volume 33, Issue 1, January 2008. [4]
- ^ Interview with University Fraser Valley, June 2006
- ^ "Honorary degree: David Chalk," University of Fraser Valley web site, June 13, 2006. [5]
- ^ Speakers' Spotlight bio [6] and "Search engine savvy = sales success," Dave Chalk, Special to Globe and Mail, Technology Section, May 04, 2007 [7]
- ^ "In 1983 David was the first to publish a retail computer magazine in Canada, which caught the eye of Mclean Hunter Magazine Corp. and was purchased after the inaugural issue," [8]
- ^ Management Paradise web site, "Marketing Strategy of Blackberry," Dec 7, 2010.[9]
- ^ http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19950313&slug=2109963 "2nd Chance For Ballard Computer -- Canadian Investors To The Rescue?", Seattle Times, March 13, 1995.
- ^ [10]
- ^ National Speakers' Bureau Biography
- ^ "Who is Dave Chalk?", by Dave Chalk, Microsoft SME Business Centre, date unknown [11]
- ^ [12] Chalk Media
- ^ Business in Vancouver, January 20–26, 2009; issue 1004, Mergers & Acquisitions in brief, "RIM buys Yaletown’s Chalk Media for $23 million," [13]
- ^ Biography on National Speakers Bureau's web site
- ^ Entegris, Stanford University Present Technology Symposium in June, Press Release, Apr 26, 2006. See: "I'm thrilled to be kicking off this thought-provoking symposium," says David Chalk, founder of Chalk Media.[14]
- ^ Biography on National Speakers Bureau's web site
- ^ Biography on National Speakers Bureau's web site
- ^ SaskTel promotional video
- ^ [15] Canadian Conference Speakers, David Chalk bio
- ^ Speakers' Spotlight bio
- ^ Award Recipient in 1995, Young Entrepreneurs' Organization, now Entrepreneurs' Organization, sources include: [16] and [17]
- ^ Speakers' Spotlight bio
- ^ [worldwide.streamer.espeakers.com/assets/2/6742/63963.doc]
- ^ http://www.banffcentre.ca/bnmi/programs/cwc/bio_fellow.asp#johl
- ^ Speaker Bio
- ^ Michael Moritz biography
- ^ "Marketing Strategy of Blackberry," Dec 7, 2010, Management Paradise web site [18]
- ^ As at February 1, 2011, Sky Helicopters is a privately-owned, start-up company in British Columbia, Canada
Categories:- Canadian television hosts
- Canadian radio personalities
- Living people
- Canadian businesspeople
- 1958 births
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