EMT and Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator 1A/1B

October 2023

Managing Organizations and Leading People

EXCELLENCE AWARD

For exemplary work in the Managing Organizations and Leading People

VICE PRESIDENT
EVALUATION OPERATIONS
Kirk A. Welter

Bike

Lifestyle

Moto & Powersports

Outdoor

Skate

Snow

Surf

Wake

Golf

Dive

Creative Agencies

Fashion

Fishing

Music

Streetwear

Swim

Tech

Triathlon

Yoga

Health & Fitness

Other

Graphic design

Sailing

Surfing

Hiking

Motorcycles

Skating

Surfboard shaping

Scuba

Boats

Clothing design

Surf craft design & history

Skate board design

Logos & graphics

Anything that involves the ocean

CEO and Founder

Executive

Polished House: Polished House & Windows, LLC

In 2024, David Falkenau sold Dave's Screens & JJ Mobile Screen Service, LLC to Mike Ingram & Polished, LLC (Mike Ingram is President/CEO/CFO of Latitude Brewing LLC, San Diego, CA; and Polished House & Windows, LLC, San Diego, CA; among other ventures).  Together they formed the merger of their companies and Dave is now a Partner with Polished, LLC.
Partner 2024-Present

Artisan Surf Designs

Artisan Surf Designs: Falkenau Surfboards, Fins, & Hydrodynamic Craft
1984-2015

National Surfing/Wrestling Ironman Hall of Fame

Bruce Gabrielson started the National Surfing and Wrestling Ironman Hall of Fame in 1998.  I was humbled to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.  As a member, we get to cast our vote as to who we believe has achieved this level of dedication to both sports.

National Surfing/Wrestling
"Iron Man"
Hall-of-Fame

Many similarities exist between wrestling and surfing: strength, endurance, balance, flexibility, individuality, and self determination. Established in 1998, this "Ironman" Hall-of-Fame recognizes those athletes who have excelled through either competition, coaching, manufacturing or other contributions to both sports. Those nominated must have made a significant contribution or achieved a high level of excellence in at least one sport.

There are 8 styles of wrestling: Folkstyle, Greco-Roman, Freestyle, JUDO, Jui Jitsu, SOMBO, Grppling, and Catch as Catch Can.

Background of the two oldest sports

NOTE: The National Surfing/Wrestling "Ironman" Hall of Fame is physically located in the Bruce "Snake" Gabrielson Surfing Museum and Surf Art Gallery in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland.

Dave's Screens & JJ Mobile Screen Service

Dave's Screens 2015-Present
JJ Mobile Screen Service 2018-Present

Metyl Smyth, LLC

When I needed to complete electives in my Senior year of undergraduate studies at Indiana University in 1998 I discovered Jewelry & Silversmithing 1 and 2.  I took both semester-long courses and realized I had a knack for jewelry design and metalsmithing.  I was hooked.  The most rewarding project I completed was a piece that combined Gold, Silver, Copper, and Nickel.  Since they all have different melting points, I had to master soldering techniques.  The more intricate and complicated the project, the more fascinating it became, and the more I thoroughly enjoyed it.  That's when I formed Metyl Smyth, LLC -- a one-stop custom jewelry and metal smith shop.  If you can think it, I can design and build it.

KUMU, DF Surf Stix, & Falkenau Surfboards

I dreamed up my first surfboard label in 1984 – “Kumu Surfboards -- In Memory of Bob Simmons,” after reading about the red fish used in ceremonial surfboard building, and after reading about Bob Simmons’ death at Windansea. I drew up some logos, and drew up various surfboard templates over the years based on different combinations of the ones I saw throughout Lueras’s book. Eventually, I added another business moniker -- “DF Surf Stix” in 1987, then “Falkenau Surfboards” in 1992, put those templates to use, and eventually started “Artisan Surf Designs” with Jerry "Da Penguin" Ingham in 2006. It's funny how time repeats itself. The first influences I had in board building stemmed from Tom Blake and Bob Simmons back in 1984.

The Semper Fidelis Project

In 1967, Leo Fender ordered two brand new twin 370-horse V-8 Marine Turbo Diesel (VT8 370 M) engines from Cummins, and had them delivered with renderings for what would be his final custom 50' Cruiser / Sportfisher to Dick Stephens, the heir to Stephens Bros Boat Builders & Designers in Stockton, CA.  Together, Dick and Leo collaborated until Hull #M-152 (No. 530098 NET 28) was built in August of 1969, and delivered to Leo in 1970 to be christened "Aquafen VII".  Leo only got to sail her for about a year before he began to fail in health and Aquafen VII was sold to Dick Nabers of Nabers Cadillac on Harbor Boulevard, Costa Mesa, Ca in 1971.  Dick appropriately christened her "Fleetwood" after his favorite Caddie.  Fleetwood changed hands again with Chan DeKramer until 2019 when Christopher Seebert took the helm.  Chris sailed her to Catalina and back in 2019, and he sold her to me in February of 2022.  I want to get her towed from her slip in Marina Del Rey to South Coast Shipyard in Newport so Eric and his crew can haul her out and help us start her restoration.  My plan for her is to earn my Merchant Mariner 6-pack Captain license so I can take Veterans out fishing, spearfishing, and diving as a form of PTSD therapy.

The Harrowing Story of The Fighting Fourth

The Harrowing Story of The Fighting Fourth, 1st Battalion/23rd Marines/Company C, WWII

My grandfather, Elmer N. Davis, Jr.  was in JROTC at Horace Mann High School, Gary, Indiana.  When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on August 24, 1942, Graduated from the 708th Platoon, MCRD San Diego as a PFC, and fought in the Marshall Islands, Kwajalein Atolls, Roi, Namur, Saipan (Earned CPL), Tinian Island, and Iwo Jima, where he was blown out of a mortar hole by a 8" Japanese mortar round on Feb. 19, 1945, which riddled his body with shrapnel, collapsed both of his lungs, and he spent 9 months on a hospital ship, before his unit was deactivated because they saw more battle time than any other unit on the European front combined!  He lived to be 89 with one lung.  This is his story, along with those he served with during those harrowing battles that forged our Freedom.  These are the true stories of real men.  Real heroes from a time when their uncommon valor was a common virtue.

Artisan Education

My wife Melissa and I founded Artisan Education at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year when we realized the need for a Private School that could meet all the needs we were looking for in our children's education. Artisan Education was officially registered with the California Department of Education in 2021 and has renewed its registration every year since. 

David Vernon Falkenau, MBA<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-falkenau-809256263/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-falkenau-809256263/</a><a href="https://www.ziprecruiter.com/profile/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.ziprecruiter.com/profile/</a><a href="https://www.alignable.com/san-marcos-ca/daves-screens-and-jj-mobile-screen-service" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.alignable.com/san-marcos-ca/daves-screens-and-jj-mobile-screen-service</a> David Falkenau is a family man. He and his wife have five amazing children along with a Great Dane named Titan Valor, a Lynx Point Siamese cat named Pop, and a 17-year-old Sulcata land tortoise named Gus. He has been a musician since the age of 7. He has mastered the piano, guitar, bass, drums, vocals, and audio/video engineering/production.&nbsp;He has toured through 16 countries playing his music and has been in several bands and music groups.&nbsp;He was a Christian music worship leader and team member from 2006 through 2017 (North Coast Calvary Chapel, Carlsbad, CA, Oasis Church, Granger, IN, and Horizon Prep, Rancho Santa Fe, CA).&nbsp;He also taught Music Production and Directed the Stage Design and Theater program at Bonsall High School, Bonsall, CA. In 1984, at the age of 10, Dave began pursuing his passion for surfing, surfboard shaping, and hydrodynamic design.&nbsp;He designs logos, draws, paints, and creates vector art for surfboards and clothing. In 1988 he began forecasting the surf on the Great Lakes by studying NOAA weather forecasts &amp; Charts, monitoring channel 16 on his dad's Marine radio, and tracking what weather patterns would produce the best waves in various locations on Lake Michigan. His best friend's grandfather would then drive them to surf at these locations. By 1990, with his Indiana Driver's license, he had his surf forecasting down to a science and would drop everything to chase the waves on Lake Michigan. He now has 40 years of experience in the surfing industry and has held the title of Founder/CEO of DF Surf Stix, Kumu Surfboards, Falkenau Surfboards &amp; Fins, and Artisan Surf Designs. David has always had an affinity for the Ocean.&nbsp;He earned State of Michigan DNR Law Enforcement Division Boating Safety Certificate #577099 from James T. Huston (M7216) for DNR Pleasure Boating, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Basic Seamanship, American Red Cross Basic Outboard Boating, and U.S. Power Squadron Piloting on June 29, 1989.&nbsp;He earned his YMCA Open Water SCUBA certification on June 24, 1990, and his PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Certification on November 18, 1990.&nbsp;He also studied Lindsay Lord’s Naval Architecture of Planing Hulls, where he learned how to design hydrodynamic craft.&nbsp;He and his wife are restoring their double-planked mahogany hull 1969-70 Stephens Brothers 50’ Classic Cruiser/Sportfisher, Fleetwood, the last boat owned by Leo Fender of Fender and G&amp;L Guitars. (Formerly Aquafen VII, designed by Dick Stephens and Leo Fender in 1968). On May 12, 1998, David earned his B.S. in Education from Indiana University. January of 2025 marks 30 years of experience in Education (1995-2025) for Dave as a Writer/Editor, Teacher, Coach, Mentor, Adviser, Administrator, Dean of Students, Director, Dean of Academics, and Principal/Founder of Artisan Education (Home School Charter) with the San Diego Department of Education. He holds teaching credentials in Michigan, California, Indiana, and South Carolina. David has always had a passion for service. He has been CPR certified since 1998, earned his Lifeguard Certification at Army Navy Academy (2002-2012), earned his First Responder Certification in 2008, then started attending fire service training at Elfin Forest Harmony Grove Fire Department (EFF) every 1st and 3rd Tuesday and every 4th Saturday, waiting for one of their coveted FF-EMT spots to open. During this time, he earned his EMT in 2009 from San Diego Miramar College, and worked the overnight shift as an Infirmary EMT at Army Navy Academy through 2012, while also teaching there full-time during the day. He finally earned his spot with EFF in 2010, where he completed 3, 6, 9, and 12-month written and physical probationary firefighter evolution benchmarks, completed SDCFA / Cal Fire Academy #14 in 2011, earned his Fire Apparatus Driver Operator Certification from the California State Fire Marshall (SD Miramar) in 2011, and earned badge #24 with Elfin Forest Harmony Grove Fire Department. While attending his fire academy, to fulfill his academy commitment to Cal Fire and SDCFA, Dave earned his spot with the San Diego County Fire Authority, Campo Fire Rescue Department, and Cal Fire Station #46 as a firefighter-EMT / Driver Operator. In 2012, Dave moved his family from Carlsbad, CA to Elkhart, IN where he earned his Paramedic Certification in April of 2014. Dave moved his family back to Vista, CA in 2015, where he earned his spot back with EFF and remained there through their merger that same year with Rancho Santa Fe Fire Department, becoming RSF Station #6. Dave climbed the Fire Service/EMS ladder from 2002-2017 when he resigned to pursue his entrepreneurial venture Dave's Screens, as a full-time commitment.&nbsp;He is still a Nationally Registered EMT. In 2015, Dave founded and became the CEO of Dave's Screens, LLC. In 2018, Dave purchased JJ Mobile Screen Service, LLC, and consummated the merger of both companies. In 2024, Dave sold Dave's Screens &amp; JJ Mobile Screen Service, LLC to Mike Ingram and Polished, LLC. Dave is now a partner with Polished, LLC. David Falkenau is a competent and experienced President/CEO, COO, and CFO. He is skilled in B2B, B2C, B2G and Sales, Marketing, Executive Development, Staff Management, Business Operations Management, Sales Management, Service Management, Team Building/Leadership, Small Business Management, Accounting, Financial Projections and Modeling, Quantitative Analysis, Financial Analysis, Valuation and Management, Cost Analysis, Revenue Variance Analysis, Strategic Holdings and Investments, and Consulting. His Master of Business Administration (WGU MBA November 2024) taught him how to manage organizations and lead people; manage human capital; manage communication; apply ethical leadership; utilize data-driven decision-making; apply global economics for managers; master the art and science of marketing; apply accounting for decision-makers; master financial management; master operations management; and apply his MBA Capstone to real-world business scenarios.&nbsp; If you’ve been searching for the Premier Top-Tier Leader to motivate your C-suite and employees to their full potential and excel your business as the leading contender in your industry, David Falkenau is your most valuable asset.

In 2015, Dave founded and became the CEO of Dave's Screens, LLC. In 2018, Dave purchased JJ Mobile Screen Service, LLC, and consummated the merger of both companies in 2024 with Mike Ingram and Polished, LLC. Dave is now a senior partner with Polished, LLC.

I serve as Senior Partner at Polished, LLC.  I manage lead generation, employee training, and consultation.  Dave's Screens and JJ Mobile Screen Service formed a merger with Polished, LLC in January 2024.

Senior Partner

I worked as the Dean of Academics and Student Services Coordinator.  I conducted teacher observations, hire & fire, managed student discipline and related data, ran the after school program, and served as building principal in the absence of our Principal, Dr. Jason Fowler.

Dean of Academics

I instructed the K-4 Archery program and taught 7th grade History, English 10/10H, English 11, Graphic Design, Yearbook, SCUBA, Surf Craft History & Design, and led our worship music team on vocals, guitar, and piano during the 2016-2017 school year.

Teacher

Artisan Surf Designs started out as a grass roots concept which sprouted from my own passion for skating, surfing, various mediums for riding waves, and my design concepts. When I got married, my wife started collaborating with me on clothing ideas, board bags, and other items, and we started working toward building the company into something bigger.  After that it become a family run business, with my son Gavin, my daughter Bella, my daughter Eden, and my 3 brother-in-laws, Aaron, Miles, and Damion Pallasch.  We have been looking to expand the business to start working with other shapers, designers, and artisans out there who might fit with our business model, and want to get their products out into the surfing industry under the Artisan Surf Designs brand.

My business model is simple - supply a product of the highest quality and craftsmanship, made from the strongest materials with the least impact on the environment to fill the demand of our customers.  Keep our customers happy, and give them an experience that will want them to return.  Work with our customers on refining products that they own and use to keep it the best product that it can be for all of our customers in the future.  Deliver the truth, and never try to sell a lie - honesty is always the best policy.  Treat our customers as we would want to be treated ourselves.  As I said, it's pretty simple.  Follow these parameters and the product will sell itself.  I am a member of the Surfrider Foundation, a strong supporter of Patagonia, and look to the Barkers (Nona and Steve) from Eagle Creek Outfitters for business advice as mentors.  These three pioneer companies are the catalyst of my inspiration, and I use their philosophies to guide Artisan Surf Designs.

I live my life while free-surfing; designing, refining, and shaping surfboards; designing and foiling fins; designing and framing hollow wood surfboards; making skateboard decks; wood-shedding, writing, recording, mixing, mastering, engineering, and performing my music (Fender Rhodes & Saloon Style Upright Piano, Fender Strat & Tele Guitars, Acoustic Guitars, Drums, Bass, Harmonica, Percussion, Vocals, Harmonies); screen writing & writing poetry; compiling footage for my mini-dv and 16mm film music and surfing documentary; woodworking; designing and silver-smithing jewelry; trying hard to be a great husband to my beautiful wife, a devoted and loving father to our three beautiful blessings (Gavin, Bella, and Eden) and one big furry blessing (our dog Nick); and I am aspiring to be a master craftsman and Artisan, like my buddy Skip Frye, and many others (Bill Thrailkill, etc.) who have influenced my surfboard shaping. My ultimate goal in all of this is to find fulfillment in using my gifts to positively influence the lives of people like YOU.

I got into education eighteen years ago in 1995, when I began substitute teaching for the South Bend Community School Corporation, and later with School City of Mishawaka, both in Indiana. I began teaching full time fifteen years ago in 1998, after graduating from Indiana University. I've been employed full time at Harmon Hall Las Americas, Veracruz, Mexico (1 semester); Ross Beatty Jr./Sr. High School, Cassopolis, MI (2.5 years); Fallbrook High School, Fallbrook, CA (1 year); The Army and Navy Academy, Carlsbad, CA (10 years); and Penn High School (3 Years as DEAN OF STUDENTS in 2012-2015, and Director of Pennway Alternative School).

I got into the Fire Service in 2008 as a First Responder. In 2009, I earned my EMT-B certification through Miramar College, San Diego, CA. Along with being a Professional Educator and Dean of Students, I've been a Firefighter-EMT with Elfin Forest / Harmony Grove Fire Department and the San Diego County Fire Authority, Campo #46 (Cal Fire / SDCFA ACADEMY #14). I earned my DO1A at Miramar College, completed another 12 semester units at Alliant International University and earned another teaching credential - CTEL/TESOL/CLAD - which gives me 21 masters level credits as well. Currently, I just graduated from Paramedic school at the Elkhart General Hospital Health Education Center in Goshen, IN on April 12, 2014 with my NREMT-P. I am also earning my Master of Educational Leadership (Admin) through Western Governors University, Indiana.

A college professor and mentor once told me that I am a renaissance man. I liked the "ring" that had to it. So when people ask me what I do for a living, I like to tell them that I've been somewhat of a renaissance man for hire. Now it is time to focus on God, Family, and my job.

When my family lived in O-side, Jerry Ingham and I built a completely portable and removable 8' wide x 16' deep x 9' high surfboard shaping bay; a 16' wide x 16' deep x 9' high wood shop; and a 8' wide x 24' deep x 9' high work shop, complete with fans, filtered ventilation, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, all designed with safety in mind.

I moved Artisan Surf Designs to State Street, one door behind Legends SUP, in Carlsbad, CA., a space 10.5' x 22' x 9.5' high (owned by the waterman legend Bryan "The Lion" Smith, Jeff Warner of Warner Design Co., and Tom Tople of Legends SUP), to keep my hobby and passion for making surf-craft alive. Cal Schafer shapes his ZEN SURFBOARDS label out of the same bay - kinda like Skip Frye and Hank Warner used to do at Harry's in PB. Cal has mastered the art of shaping and is an amazing fin foiler as well.

I am always trying to work hard towards being environmentally conscious, while keeping the future generations of surfers in mind with everything that I design and build. Our ocean is more polluted and more crowded than it has been in any time in its history. It is our legacy to walk lightly on the path we choose to walk, and take with us whatever we began our journey with, leaving only footprints, and the knowledge we've learned for younger generations apply to their walk.

I work mostly with wood, and if I'm not using U.S. Blanks, I try to use non-TDI surfboard blanks. I dispose of surfboard foam waste at local surfboard manufacturing facilities to assure that my waste is disposed of properly. I also use recycled wood and salvaged wood for my projects. So if you have any wood that you want to get rid of, let me know beforehand! IF MORE MANUFACTURERS OF SURF PRODUCTS WOULD DO THIS, SURFING WOULD HAVE A CLEANER IMAGE!!!!!!!

My overall focus with building surf-craft has always been to learn and master the art of shaping, while refining boards I've made and ridden, so that one day, I will have made that "magic" board -- the one that works exactly the way it was designed to work. I have finally reached the point of shaping 4 "magic" boards (based on feedback from riders and my own experience on two of them). I strive to one day shape fine custom surfboards like my friends Skip Frye, Bill Thrailkill, Josh Hall, and all my other friends, mentors, and influences whom I've had the honor of knowing throughout this journey; to build beautifully crafted hollow wood surfboards, like Paul Jensen, Danny Hess, and all of the wood board artisans on Swaylocks; to design, cut, and foil my own wood fins like Geppy, Hasselgrave, Cherry, McCormack, Marlin Bacon, and Daniel Partch; to design, cut, steam bend, and build skateboard decks to keep the look of the classics alive; all innovated with templates and foils designed with specific rigidity for speed, like Simmons and Thrailkill, or for flex, drive, hold, trim, and glide in various waves and conditions, Like Skip Frye. I also mill my own wood for custom nose and tail blocks, custom wood surfboard racks & board hangers. My wife sews fin covers, board socks, board bags, board straps, and carriers, all custom tailored to fit any surfboard or fin combination.

Since 2012, I have served as Dean of Students for 3600+ students at a premier "A" rate "Four-Star" school.

Dean of Students

I was Dean of Students for 3 years at Penn High School.  I also managed Pennway Alternative School in a Director capacity, while also serving as the Dean of Students.  I doubled the graduation rate and the number of credits our students earned in only one year as Director.

Director/Dean (Administrator)

To Whom It May Concern:
As proof of professional work experience, David V. Falkenau was hired by Academy by the Sea (Surf Camp / Summer Camp / Academic Academy) on June 6, 2002, and continued as a new hire with the Army and Navy Academy (UC approved, WASC accredited, 7-12 college prep. secondary school in coordination with California State Standards / California San Diego County Office of Education Public School Curriculum) on June 26, 2002.  
The following is a breakdown of UC approved, WASC accredited, college preparatory courses that Dave taught in his tenure here at Army and Navy Academy:
2002-2003:
Reading 7 
Reading 8
Creative Writing

2003-2004:
Creative Writing
English 10
Photo 1
Advanced Environmental Science

2004-2005:
English 10
Advanced Environmental Science

2005-2006:
English 10
Advanced Environmental Science
English 10 Advanced

2006-2007:
English 10
English 10 Advanced

2007-2008:
English 10 Advanced
English 10

2008-2009:
English 10
English 10 Advanced

2009-2010:
English 10
English 10 Advanced
ESL/TESOL
Advanced ESL/TESOL

2010-2011:
English 10
English 10 Advanced

2011-2012:
Advanced ESL/TESOL
English 10 Advanced
English 10

David taught the following during his tenure here either during the school year aside from his master schedule at the Army and Navy Academy or during the summer months at Academy by the Sea:

Ath/Intramurals (Health / Physical Education / PT / Sports) with Rick LaRoche and Capt. Henry Howell; Creative Writing & Film/Screen Writing, including a 110 page screen play as a final project (wrote curriculum for Creative Writing as well to get it UC approved); Photography I/II (wrote curriculum for it as well to get it UC approved); 7th/8th Science (Summer with Ben Douglas); Music/Recording (summer mac lab); Oceanography (wrote curriculum for it as well to get it UC approved); Marine Biology (summer with Gretchen Hay); English 9, 11 (including English 10, 10 Honors, 12, AP12, and Journalism for Don Frates until Stanton/Raimondi replaced him after his bout with cancer); as well as ESL/TESOL. 

He also served as advisor for Surf Club (2002-2008), Sailing Club (2002-2003, 2008-2011), Cadets for Christ/Band of Brothers (2003-2008), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (2003-2008), Music/Recording Club (2009-2012), as well as coaching Surfing (2002-2008) and Wrestling (2004-2006).

David has been certified in CPR/AED since 2002, was certified as a Life Guard here by American Red Cross Instructor Dan Loden (2004-2012), was a certified First Responder from (2008-2010) and worked for us as an EMT in our Health Center from (2010-2012).

David dedicated himself to our students / cadets and our school for ten years and one summer, concluding his tenure with us on August 31, 2012 to work as Dean of Students for Penn High School, Mishawaka, IN.

Teacher / Coach / Advisor

David Falkenau is a CEO and Founder at Dave's Screens & JJ Mobile Screen Service in San Marcos, CA.

David Falkenau

David Falkenau

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