David Reeve: A Tribute to a Great Man

Today, I feel compelled to share a tribute to a remarkable individual whose influence has been a guiding light in my life and the lives of countless others. David Reeve, a legend in every sense, whose departure from this world has left a void impossible to fill.

My journey with David Reeve began 18 years ago, a journey marked by growth, discovery, and the kind of inspiration that changes the course of a life. Thanks to Martin DesRosiers , whose tribute moved me to pen my own.

Though our paths hadn’t crossed in recent years, a chance meeting at Whole Foods a few years back reminded me of Dave's enduring spirit and the core values he lived by. In those brief minutes, the impact of his presence was as profound as ever.

Here’s a few of the (many) things I’ve carried with me from our time together:

• A Champion of Culture: Dave's leadership at Nurse Next Door from 2006 to 2011 was transformative, a time when I first met Ken Sim, FCPA, FCA and the tremendous business and culture they'd built. As a young (and dumb) entrepreneur, witnessing their culture-first approach was a revelation. Dave introduced me to the principles of LEAN—emphasizing efficiency by eliminating waste and focusing on customer value. This philosophy, alongside the (fully implemented) Rockefeller Habits by Verne Harnish , became foundational to my own business journey and continues to this day.
• A Beacon During Change: In 2010, as Fully Managed by TELUS Business merged with HIT Business Solutions, Dave's guidance for myself and Shar Oborowsky was instrumental. His calm, steady presence helped us navigate the challenges of integrating teams across geographies, ensuring we emerged stronger and more unified. There were so many highs and lows during this time that are simply too many to mention, but without him I'm not sure we would have come out the other side.
• A Visionary Leader: When Dave joined Fully Managed as Chief Strategy Officer, he infused our rapidly scaling operations with a sense of purpose and possibility. The "Dream Program" he developed encouraged us to articulate our values and ambitions, inspiring us to exceed our own expectations. I've included a link here to the original document (circa 2010), and would welcome any comments from those who changed the course of their lives under his guidance. The header image for this post was me checking off one of those dreams in 2011.

Dave's Legacy:

Dave’s personal brand underscored his commitment to building a culture of alignment, clarity, accountability, continuous improvement, and inspiration. He was a mentor who empowered our team to lead effectively, champion core values, and drive profitability.

Dave’isms That Resonate:

• "In order to lead a 'purposeful life,' you need a 'purpose'. Without a 'purpose', you are just 'leading a 'life'…"
• "A confused mind always says no." —This wisdom led me to simplify our engagement strategy, making it easier for prospects and customers to say yes.
• Dave's core values of integrity, resiliency, optimism, humility, and love have left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In Closing:

Dave was an avid Formula 1 fan, a passion that, although I came to share only later, deeply influenced my approach to business. The analogy of an F1 garage versus a messy one perfectly encapsulated my business philosophy—efficiency, precision, excellence.

Dave Reeve was truly a man ahead of his time, whose legacy will continue to inspire generations. As I reflect on his life and the myriad ways he has touched ours, I am reminded that we are all better for having known him. I'll be at the Monaco F1 this May, continuing to check off those dreams, and I hope you're smiling down. Rest in peace, brother. Your dreams live on through us.