GALA

Building Community Fostering Diversity Together

Dr Claudia Thomas Community service award Gala 2026 Speaker

Born into a military family, David Boyd spent his childhood living in multiple states and

countries, attending a variety of elementary and secondary schools along the way. He

later earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Chapman University and a

Master of Rehabilitation Counseling from Utah State University. He is also a Nationally

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor through the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor

Certification (CRCC).

David’s professional background includes a distinguished 23-year career in the United

States Army, retiring at the rank of Sergeant Major. During his service, he held

numerous leadership roles within armor and airborne units both in the U.S. and abroad.

He is a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy in El Paso,

Texas, and a veteran of the Gulf War.

Following his military service, David completed a second 23-year career with the U.S.

Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration. He retired as the

Director of the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division at the Seattle Regional

Office, a GS-15 position in which he led administrators, counselors, and staff

responsible for delivering rehabilitation benefits and services to veterans across

Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia, Canada. He also served in several national

leadership roles, including appointments to the National Field Advisory Committee, the

New Manager’s Training Cadre, and as a Joint Agency Liaison.

David remains active in community service and philanthropy. He currently serves as

President of the Board of Directors for the Golden Futures Foundation, sits on the Board

of Directors of Tacoma’s Buffalo Soldiers Museum, is a member of the Steilacoom

Kiwanis, and attends Redeem Church, among other local engagements.

He resides in Steilacoom, Washington, with his wife, Lisa, a retired public-school

administrator. He is the proud father of three adult children—Angela, Kristopher, and

Cameron—and grandfather to his granddaughter, Hadley.