About Us
World renowned expert and author of two books on downtown revitalization. Assisted more than 600 nonprofit organizations with strategic plans, management reorganization, marketing and fundraising.
Recommendations Received (3)
"Great companies have visionary leaders. Dave Feehan is one of those leaders."
"Serving downtown’s and communities for more than thirty years. A consummate professional with a..."
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"Serving downtown’s and communities for more than thirty years. A consummate professional with a caring hand. If you are looking for assistance growing, expanding, or revitalizing you neighborhood, community, or downtown Dave Feehan is the person to call. "
Products & Services
Wonder why some downtowns and business districts are more successful than others? Find out the answer in this new book by the former president of t...
This book will change the way you think about your business, whether it be retail, restaurant, real estate, or hospitality. Women influence or cont...
Recommendations Given (8)
"When I needed an accountant to straighten out the books of a local nonprofit organization Terri..."
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"When I needed an accountant to straighten out the books of a local nonprofit organization Terri stepped in and at a very reasonable price, cleaned up a mess! She is diligent, accurate, and pleasure to work with. I highly recommend her."
"This is one of the most innovative community-based programs in Pittsburgh. Christina is a very..."
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"This is one of the most innovative community-based programs in Pittsburgh. Christina is a very effective leader and entrepreneurial spirit."
Recent Activity
I've ben working with the campus business district near the University of Minnesota. Together with a group of students, we developed a guide for local businesses to help them survive COVID. If you would like a copy of the guide for free, e-mail me at Civitas.dave@me com.
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I've ben working with the campus business district near the University of Minnesota. Together with a group of students, we developed a guide for local businesses to help them survive COVID. If you would like a copy of the guide for free, e-mail me at Civitas.dave@me com.
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I saw a retaurant convert itself into a general store when toilet paper and toothpaste were scarce and had to find.
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I saw a retaurant convert itself into a general store when toilet paper and toothpaste were scarce and had to find.
My consulting team is composed of experienced experts in business district management. Now is the time when many businesses districts are struggling and need expert advice. We are prepared to help.
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My consulting team is composed of experienced experts in business district management. Now is the time when many businesses districts are struggling and need expert advice. We are prepared to help.
Congress is considering a bill to expand Volunteer national service, like VISTA. if you are a nonprofit agency and cannot afford to bring back staff, consider the VISTA program. I was a VISTA Volunteer in 1968. It's great program. https://pittsburghquarterly.co...
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Congress is considering a bill to expand Volunteer national service, like VISTA. if you are a nonprofit agency and cannot afford to bring back staff, consider the VISTA program. I was a VISTA Volunteer in 1968. It's great program. https://pittsburghquarterly.co...
I do so frequently. Those of us in the consulting business will often receive RfPs (requests for proposals), opportunities for which they are interested but do not have either all of the qualifications or sufficient resources. I just received an RfP to do a strategic plan for an organization in a...
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I do so frequently. Those of us in the consulting business will often receive RfPs (requests for proposals), opportunities for which they are interested but do not have either all of the qualifications or sufficient resources. I just received an RfP to do a strategic plan for an organization in a midwestern city. I needed a local partner, and found an urban planning firm that proved to be an ideal partner. I then enlisted a couple of other subject area experts to be on my team. Sometimes I am the lead company and others are subs; sometimes I am a 50/50 partner with another firm. Sometimes I am asked to be a sub. Most of the work I do these days is of a collaborative nature. I am the quintessential "virtual corporation." I have a network of experts whose knowledge and experience complement my own. This works very well for me, but it might not work for those in other lines of business.
I believe in the old saying. "You have to give something to get something." I often offer to help without compensation, and this can lead to paying work. I frequently get asked to speak at local events, and often with only reimbursement for travel expenses. For example, on February 3, 1999 I...
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I believe in the old saying. "You have to give something to get something." I often offer to help without compensation, and this can lead to paying work. I frequently get asked to speak at local events, and often with only reimbursement for travel expenses. For example, on February 3, 1999 I spoke at the annual meeting of the Fargo ND downtown organization. This was the 40th anniversary of "the day the music died." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... at any rate, this resulted in a long term contract to restructure Fargo's downtown organization...and years later, I was asked to organize a new downtown corporation for Moorhead MN, right across the river from Fargo.
My wife is an introvert. She is happiest sitting at her computer, and miserable when she has to interact with strangers. So her advice from another introvert is, don't force a square peg into a round hole. Many years ago, I gave her a book entitled "Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow." I...
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My wife is an introvert. She is happiest sitting at her computer, and miserable when she has to interact with strangers. So her advice from another introvert is, don't force a square peg into a round hole. Many years ago, I gave her a book entitled "Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow." I suggest you buy this book, and start thinking about what you love to do. You may find you love to travel; so there is a great demand for over-the-road truck drivers. No need to make cold calls when you're driving a big rig and listening to C.W. McCall. You may find you are great with your hands, and some skilled trade, like plumbing or electrical, pays well; and you may like making things. I know a man who makes a living building beautiful bird feeders. You are never too old to learn a new skill. I have a friend who was a major foundation executive. When he retired, he took up photography, and now makes a handsome living as a photographer. The most important advice I can give you is to be true to yourself, make a plan, and pursue it. Life is an adventurer to be lived, not a problem to be solved.
Welcome to the world of landlords! I owned a duplex in a midwestern city and when I left town for another job, I engaged a property management firm to oversee the duplex. I had newly renovated the building - new windows, HVAC, appliances, and beautiful hardwood floors. However, the duplex was in...
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Welcome to the world of landlords! I owned a duplex in a midwestern city and when I left town for another job, I engaged a property management firm to oversee the duplex. I had newly renovated the building - new windows, HVAC, appliances, and beautiful hardwood floors. However, the duplex was in an inner city location, and crack cocaine had made its ugly appearance.
It became harder to get good tenants. After years of trying to sell the building, I made an inspection to find that both units had been trashed. In the years that I owned the property, I never showed a profit. I should have sold it when I moved, because property management takes knowledge, attention, and toughness.
So my advice to you is, sell the property for whatever you can get. At 76, and as you described yourself, managing rental property is probably beyond your capability; and the chance that you'll find an ideal tenant who really cares for the unit and pays the rent on time is very low. My guess, given the low rent you are charging, is that your house is in a lower income area. You will be much happier if you can find a senior building with professional management after you sell. And in the meantime, get an attorney and evict the bum!
Dear Drowning, as someone who has hired a couple of hundred employees over the past four decades, I can assure you that age discrimination is real. As the former president of an international association based in Washington, I would get occasional calls from members who were looking for new...
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Dear Drowning, as someone who has hired a couple of hundred employees over the past four decades, I can assure you that age discrimination is real. As the former president of an international association based in Washington, I would get occasional calls from members who were looking for new positions. I found that most associations were looking for executives who were no older than 55. That said, I would offer these suggestions regarding your resume.
I found that the opening paragraph describing an applicant as "highly motivated" or "results oriented" is a waste of space. Get right to the point! What have you done, and what were the results! I want to know what you are able to do, and how you can add value to my company or organization. I will find out if you are highly motivated or results oriented when I interview you or check your references.
One other suggestion: look for opportunities where age or gender is an advantage, not a disadvantage. For example, most residential real estate agents are women, while most commercial real estate agents are men. If you get a license, and you are a man, pitch yourself to a broker as filling a niche. Likewise, if you know anything about commercial real estate, age is not much of a barrier. Some of the most successful agents and brokers I know are over 70.
Finally, are there things you can do that don't require an "employer?" For example, I am 74 and I just published a book. It may not provide all of the income I need, but it is selling well, and every bit helps.
I agree with the comments above. One of my business partners is gay and recently married his partner, but he did not come out until he was 50+. However, we all just assumed he was gay and no one made a big deal of it. I also work with a county official who is gay, is married to a man, and is in...
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I agree with the comments above. One of my business partners is gay and recently married his partner, but he did not come out until he was 50+. However, we all just assumed he was gay and no one made a big deal of it. I also work with a county official who is gay, is married to a man, and is in his early 50s. I would assume the best -- that your co-workers are mature enough to realize how times have changed, that you are proud of being gay, and you just assume that nothing in the work environment will change as a result.
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