A native of Plainview, Nebraska, Dave attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, earning his B.S.B.A. in Finance (with highest distinction) in 2000.  During his senior year, Dave received the Financial Executives Institute Outstanding Student in Accounting/Finance award.  Dave was also one of the founding members of the Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity chapter on the University of Nebraska at Lincoln campus. 

Upon graduation, Dave went on to obtain his J.D. from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2004, with distinction.  In law school, Dave was a member of the Nebraska Moot Court Board, a Legal Research and Writing Student Problem writer and a member of Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity.  After law school, Dave practiced law for two years before accepting a position with Nelnet, Inc. where he worked until joining the firm in 2008.  His practice is primarily in corporate law, business transactions and estate planning.