David Joseph Ross

David Joseph Ross (born July 28, 1989) is an American environmentalist, artist, and entrepreneur. He is best known for his environmental contributions to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the surrounding valleys of Southern California, of which he is the Thousand Oaks representative. Appointed unanimously in October 2010 by the Thousand Oaks City Counsel, Ross became the youngest ever member of the conservancy, while finishing his senior year at Azusa Pacific University where he studied business and art. In 2010, Ross was featured in two news articles, city and county-wide.
Personal life
Ross was born in Torrence, California to Melanie, an artist / teacher, and Don, a technician. David and three siblings, Jacob, Rachel, and Hannah were brought up in Thousand Oaks, California. Ross was raised Christian, including his baptism when he turned 13, today he volunteers his ability to sing at Sunday services for his local churches Bethany and Foothill Community.
At home, he was taught academics and art by his mother from elementary school to the beginnings of highschool, while attending college art classes amongst a significantly older demographic. Ross finally experience a traditional highschool institution sophomore year upon receiving a substantial scholarship for his artistic talents, from Oaks Christian High School. He quickly adjusted to the new environment, excelling in the classics, as Ross won prizes in art (fine art, music and movies) and classical studies. During a school wide competition titled “who can ask best for prom”, Ross surprised the 800 person audience with a song he had written for his girlfriend at the time, winning the competition and attending prom free of charge, tux included. Ross was also largely involved in mentorships with his art teachers, gaining considerable notoriety in his community. In college, he was known for responsibilities in designing for multiple projects at the local, national, and global level.
Ross and his roommates studied business in London, England while roaming the greater part of Europe for the Fall season of 2010. Exposure to a new set of students and peers quickly found him inspired by the culture of European lifestyles. Ross was eager to return to the United States when a British thief climbed through David’s open window while he was away, and stole his laptop, camera, and ipod. Determined to graduate, Ross in two days, re-wrote all fifty pages of his total university course work in time for final examinations. The Metropolitan Police never did find the suspect.
Business
Ross began creating art and establishing companies as a child in middle school. His father taught him how to use computers, fix cars, and play baseball while his mother invested countless hours in arts and crafts. Art mentors and professors from highschool call him a “true artist in every sense of the word” adding that his “...creatively open mind and love of God have been essential” to his success. Small business ventures that Ross created in highschool ranged in everything from: video game designing, movie productions, and wireless internet services, to Christmas tree removals and lawn mowing. David’s vision for establishing brands and solving problems led him to the school of business and management at Azusa Pacific University where he is scheduled to graduate in May 2011.
Now Ross owns and manages his own graphic design firm with clients local to California and business abroad. Ross also manages the Mabry Foundation, a non-profit that gives micro-gifts to individuals, families, and local humanitarian projects throughout Ventura County. David is the founder of two companies which confront such issues as community sustainability, marketing solutions for Mom and Pop stores, and urban farming. In an off the record moment when interviewed for a recent article on rising above the status quo, Ross said,
“What has brought me fulfillment and great joy, is the opportunity to exercise every skill set I have been given . . . simply taking the effort of turning off my television, getting out side, being with people, and solving the world’s problems.”
David enjoys a close relationship with his father Don Joseph Ross, a HVAC technician, small business owner, and Soccer Coach. David is currently helping his father start a local air conditioning company, All Service Air that is local to the Thousand Oaks area.
Music, film, print
Teaching himself piano and guitar, Ross gained considerable notoriety in college as an underground, indy, folk artist. Trained as a choir vocalist most of his life, Ross is known for his singing of whimsical melodies. Currently Ross is working on an album in collaboration with such artists as Tudor Williams and Thomas Reiten, set to release Fall 2011.
Politics
Ross has seen considerable interest by the public, in pursuing a political career. As an up and coming fiscal conservative, Ross has a made recent comments about entering the Thousand Oaks City Council race in coming elections and aspires to be mayor of the city he loves. Meeting with politicians such as California Senator Tony Strickland, and Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks, Ross is quickly climbing into the spotlight of grassroots politics as he regularly attends committee meetings as a member and city representative for Thousand Oaks. Ross recently on his blog stated,
“What I can offer this city and this state, is sensible thinking and collaborative efforts to fix the messes that our short term thinking has created . . . Sustainability and localization are the future of this earth, and starting the trend early is exactly what I am about. Waste is simply unacceptable if we expect to remain a legitimate presence in this world of limited resources. Our way of thinking has to change.”
As a boy scout David remembers being inspired by his local politicians who invested countless hours of giving back to his community and witnessed, first hand, the fruits of labor and passion. In college Ross was appointed as the management intern for the , where he road on countless ride-alongs with deputies, gaining a greater appreciation for how his city operated. Thousand Oaks has been rated on of the safest cities of it size, nation wide.

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