David Grindle

David Grindle was appointed Executive Director of SMPTE in 2022. He brings more than a decade of association executive experience to the position. In his tenure as an association executive, he has helped develop programmes and systems that are responsive to the needs of contemporary members in a fast-paced environment of changing technology. He has led successful strategic planning campaigns as well as fundraising efforts. He is described as an innovative leader who helps organisations move forward and achieve goals. Grindle began his career as a stage manager specialising in opera and large productions. He went on to teach at Indiana University for nine years before taking the helm of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT). He is a Certified Association Executive from the American Society of Association Executives and has won awards from Board Source and Trade Show News Network for his leadership in guiding boards and growing the impact of USITT’s conference and trade show. He is Fulbright Specialist for the US Department of State and has spoken on topics from leadership to entertainment architecture in China, New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and Europe.