Tell us about yourself.
David Gilmartin, GE Healthcare, I am involved with United Way as a Board member and volunteer. I enjoy working with the great staff and other volunteers in the community. It is great to see the success stories of people and families in a particular program that United Way funds and how we can help them turn things around.
What’s the last great book you read?
I enjoy reading spy novels, but the last great book I read was Turn the Ship Around: A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders by David Marquet. David Marquet is a commander in the Navy on submarines and he tells his story on how a simple change in approach helps turn a failing submarine around into one of the highest performing ships in the Navy. I had the pleasure of listening to him speak at a conference I attended and was inspired to read his book. His simple message of shifting leadership down into the organization rather than being top down drive is powerful.
Another recent favorite is Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It is a story about a tribe of people in Mexico who are endurance runners in a desert environment because they have not been brought into the modern world. The author finds them and spends time learning their ways. It was a fascinating story.
Who is your favorite fictional hero or heroine?
I am a big fan of Jack Ryan, the character in Tom Clancy books. As I said, I love spy novels and it is amazing how real his character feels and the exciting stories.
What was your favorite book as a child?
My favorite book was Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. I remember reading it over and over again and have enjoyed reading it to my children as well.
Is there a particular story you heard in your childhood that still sticks with you today?
The Three Little Pigs – I always think about the last pig that built a strong house and helped the other two pigs when their houses fell down from the wolf. It reminds me to be prepared and to take time to make certain things are set up and you have a chance to have a good outcome with anything you are doing. Along the same lines is The Tortoise and the Hare – how the turtle can win by perseverance.
Whom would you want to write your life story?
If I lived a more interesting life, it would be great to have Tom Clancy or Lee Child write my life story. Maybe they could work me into a spy novel.