David grew up in St. Paris, Ohio (about 10 minutes west of Urbana). He was captain of the football team, was on the varsity wrestling team, and participated in the German exchange program before graduating from Graham High School.

Growing up, David’s three favorite classes were math, science, and shop.

Starting in business early, he got his first co-op experience prior to going to college. David attended Kettering University and was vice president of house and grounds for Delta Tau Delta. He graduated with degrees in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering while completing work internships and participating in various athletics, clubs, and organizations.

David returned to Champaign County following graduation.  He purchased a home and married his high school sweetheart Randi Leonard Uhl.  David continued with his co-op employer as an engineer and development manager until he was recruited to GE. 

Serving at GE for 15 years, David started as a process engineer and front-line coach before progressing through numerous operations and leadership roles. He is Lean Six Sigma certified and has completed various GE Crotonville courses.

After several management roles with GE in the Dayton, Ohio area, he was selected to start and lead GE’s first joint venture in Montana. David’s career at GE culminated with a role in supply chain consulting helping other internal and external organizations resolve business and operational challenges.

In 2020 the lifelong desire to be an entrepreneur took hold. COVID sparked changes at GE and in David’s life that led him to reevaluate how his skills could best be deployed.

David founded Timber & Steel Building Co. in 2021 and acquired the assets and team of Howell Building Company. Timber & Steel specializes in constructing agricultural and commercial buildings to stand the test of time.

The support of David’s community was essential in his development as a leader. This motivated him to deeply engage in various aspects of his hometown. David and his wife have 4 children; the two oldest are attending universities in Ohio, while the younger two both attend Graham Local Schools. Randi’s extensive experience as an elementary and English as a second language teacher helped foster David’s desire to pursue meaningful change in the public education system.

Developing successful young people is an important part of David’s purpose and his commitment is demonstrated in his work as a member of the Graham School Board, along with his support of the Urbana Youth Center (UYC).

David met Justin T. Weller, founder of UYC and Urbana Tomorrow, when the youth center was searching for a local contractor that believed in the mission of UYC to complete a state-funded renovation project. Timber & Steel lead the initiative and donated substantive resources to transform the historic, former Champaign County Library into a space that students could hangout, learn, and thrive after school.

The duo pursued several independent ventures together before deciding that their companies would be strongest together.

Today, David is one of the owners of Urbana Tomorrow and is the CEO of the group of companies, which includes Timber & Steel. David continues to reside in Champaign County and is an active member in the community serving on the several local boards including the YMCA and Our Town St. Paris.

In his free time, he enjoys traveling to experience different landscapes and cultures to gain a better understanding of his own place in the world. From Montana to New York and rural Ohio to Shanghai, China, David’s travel aspirations help inform his outlook.

David developed a love for running in adulthood because he gets to compete against and challenge himself to be better. He also enjoys exploring different novelty projects and tinkering with his father. A long-time Bengals fan, he regularly enjoys traveling to Paul Brown Stadium to keep the team on track for success—or, at least try to help them not “bungle” up anything too badly.