Board Vice Chair David Mead’s Faves

David Mead is a native Californian and has been a resident of Thousand Oaks for the past 20 years.  Besides being an alumnus of UCLA and Loyola Law School, he currently serves on the boards of TOArts and Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.  He lives in Lang Ranch with his wife Lisa, his daughter Caitlin (Chapman University senior) and son Jack (Westlake H.S. senior).

How long have you lived in the Conejo Valley?

I have lived in Ventura County for a total of 22 years (2 years in Camarillo in the 80’s and in Thousand Oaks since 2000. I live here with my wonderful wife Lisa and my daughter Caitlin and son Jack.

How did you get involved in community service/the arts?

My mom Mia Mead has been a watercolor, acrylic and oil painter her whole life and it was from her that my appreciation for the arts started and grew. As a result, I have always wanted to be involved with the arts in some capacity. I started as a committee member on the Community Funding Review Committee and was its chair for about 5 of the 8 years I was on the committee. I then became a commissioner on the Cultural Affairs Commission at its inception and remained a commission until about 2016. I was also a board member of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Foundation for approximately 3 years during my time on the CAC. I then then subsequently because a board member of TOArts at its inception and am the currently its Vice-Chair.

What’s your favorite performance at BAPAC?

Since I was a kid, I was always interested in cooking and cooking shows. At one point in my youth I had wanted to be a chef before changing 180 degrees to decide to become a lawyer. However, I still to this day enjoy watching cooking and restaurant related shows, including Chopped and Restaurant Impossible. Thus, I was very excited to watch the show put on by Robert Irvine, the host from Restaurant Impossible, as well as his VIP behind the scenes presentation.

What piece of art (book, music, movie, performance etc.) most influenced the person you are today?

I cannot say that there is one exact piece of art that has most influenced me. I am an avid reader of books and have been since a very young age. My love for reading and the joy and pleasure that I receive from doing so has made me who I am today. Some of my favorite authors include Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Tom Clancy, Michael Connelly, Clive Cussler, Larry Niven and John Grisham. One of my favorite books of all time is the Stand by Stephen King.

What’s the single best piece of advice you ever received?

Since your character and reputation can easily be damaged or destroyed by senseless, idiotic actions, it is always important to make sure that you live a life of honesty and good moral character.

If you could go back to one historical event to witness it, what would it be and why?
I was a history major at UCLA and history has always been one of my favorite subjects. This is a tough question as there are many historical events that one would way to go back and witness. American History has always been one of my favorite history subjects and Abraham Lincoln has always been one of my favorite historical figures. Thus, I would have to say seeing him give the Gettysburg Address would have been remarkable and awe inspiring.

What’s on your playlist?

My teenage years were during the late 70’s and early 80’s. Thus, my favorite bands are those from that era and I enjoy most songs that they created during that time frame. My favorite bands include Oingo Boingo, the Cure, Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, Duran Duran, Inxs, Scorpions, Queen and REM. My car is generally tuned to the 80’s channel.