David Priest was born and raised in Duluth, MN. An energetic doer, he’s enjoyed solving construction challenges since he was a seven-year-old building tree houses. While attaining two professional degrees at the University of Minnesota, he was awarded the school’s ‘Golden Ruler’ for the Student Steel Bridge Design Competition, all while also a PSIA certified ski instructor.

After completing his studies, David migrated to San Diego in 1984 to work for the celebrated Hope Consulting Group. Now, with over forty years of residential, commercial, and hospitality design experience, David’s work at JWDA Architects has involved programming, construction documentation, construction administration and project management, and he has completed architectural design projects for residential and commercial developers as well as many Southern California clients. His residential and mixed-use project experience includes programming, feasibility studies, master planning, and full architectural services, focused on the preparation of construction documents and construction management for large scale projects. For David, the best part of his job is seeing how grateful residents are when they move into their building, especially the affordable housing projects.

David has been married for 40 years and has three children and one grandchild. An avid volunteer, he has been recognized with the Servant Ministry Award by the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego in 2014 and 2021.