The genial and personable David Franke credits his mother for the charitable bent in his character. “While I was growing up she always involved us in different charitable pursuits. She was a philanthropist in her own right”. David grew up in the Northwest, a native of Spokane, Washington. He came to Arizona in 1987, because he spent summers here growing up visiting his father and could see the abundance of opportunities a fast growing community like Phoenix presented. The aspect he most appreciates about the Phoenix area is that it’s still small enough that one can make a direct contribution in the community.
Today David is serving his fourth term as President of the Sojourner Center, which addresses the problems of domestic violence in the Phoenix community. The fundamental mission of the Sojourner Center is to overcome the impact of domestic violence one life at a time, especially with the children who are often the silent victims of violence.
His love of golf actually brought David in contact with this important nonprofit. “I played in the Sojourner Center’s golf tournament in 1992. When they sent me a thank you note, they also invited me to tour their facility. Since I was also looking to get involved with a cause, something about the organization clicked with me and I joined their mission.”
Besides Sojourner Center, David also is a fund allocation volunteer for the United Way, a board Chair for the Arizona Business Accelerator, and a volunteer for Next Chapter, a nonprofit that is focused on how to engage the baby boom generation in the community.
In his professional life David is a principal of Franke & Company, a private equity firm. The firm uses its capital and those of its partners to invest in companies in need of capital or available for acquisition where it can leverage its dollars and business skills to improve performance and gain a return on the dollars invested.
David is also the proud father of two sons, ages 6 and 1, and a daughter who is 3. His wife recently gave him the trip of a lifetime, a week- long trek to play golf in Scotland, including a round at St. Andrews. “ It was for my 40th birthday; a perfect gift since I love golf and am mostly Scottish in my background!” David also enjoys travel, reading, music, sports and theater.
Because of volunteers like David Franke, the Phoenix community is better able to reach out to those in need.
What are your volunteer activities? Sojourner Center - board President, United Way - fund allocation volunteer, Arizona Business Accelerator- board Chair, Next Chapter - volunteer
Which social event is your favorite? Sojourner Center's Joker's Wild
Favorite Restaurant? Bamboo Club
Who is your hero and why? My mother for the strength, compassion and fortitude she's shown in life
Who is the most interesting celebrity you have ever met? Oprah Winfrey
If your life were a movie, whom would you want to play your part? Johnny Depp
What gives a woman/man style? Confidence
Do you have any Pets? A mini Schnauzer named Baily
When you move, what will your home tell its next owner, about you? It was not a house but a home that was lived in and enjoyed
What words describe you best? Kind, thoughtful, patient, giving, flexible, modest
What words would you like others to use to describe you? Kind, giving, nice, smart, leader, loyal, humble
What was your first job? Serving meals and washing dishes in a hospital
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Procrastination
What is the trait you most deplore in others? Arrogance
What is your greatest indulgence? Chocolate and other sweets
What is the greatest gift you have ever given and received? Greatest gift given is a golf weekend at Pebble Beach for my father on his 60th birthday. Greatest gift received is a tie between a week golf trip to Scotland and a weekend golf trip to Augusta National where the Masters is played. Parenthood is also the greatest gift both given and received
What or who is the greatest love of your life? My family, friends, golf and music
What is your current state of mind? Looking forward to good things in the future
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? Parenthood
What is your most treasured possession? Pictures and photo albums
What is the quality you most like in a man? Integrity
What is the quality you most like in a woman? Sincerity
Favorite books / Writers? To Kill a Mockingbird, Chronicles of Narnia
What is one thing would you change about yourself? Be less shy and have more confidence
What is the best advice you have ever received? Don’t cry over spilled milk. Life changes, things happen, and don't get caught up in what happened but focus on how to move forward