Dave Lapin Lives a life of Dedication and Success
To his Industry, To Lacrosse, and To Friends and Family.
Dave Enrolled at Georgia Tech in the Fall of 1978, out of WT Clarke HS in East Meadow, New York on Long Island. A midfielder in HS, he switched positions at Tech to help the team and played attack from 1978 to 1981, where he brought a high energy style and passion to the game. Dave was team Captain in 1981 and was among the top scorers among Division One NCAA teams at the time. Dave participated in the Co OP program and graduated in 1983 with a BISyE Degree.
We have had an opportunity to catch up with Dave and asked him to reflect, but first some background information on everything Dave has been doing since he Graduated.
In a pattern that would shape his life Dave entered the high-tech business world starting with Intel Corp in Sunnyvale, CA while quickly resuming his Lacrosse Involvement. After stints in Beaverton OR, Houston TX and Phoenix AZ with Intel Dave settled in Austin with a highly successful stint at Cypress Semiconductor where Dave generated 25% of total company revenue from 1987 to 1992.
From 1985 to1996 Dave played for San Antonio LC where he again switched position to Long Stick Middie. Dave had found his true natural position to take advantage of his athleticism and speed. He also played for Team Texas tournament team and the Magic Wands LC Vail Champions. Not being enough Dave, simultaneously Launched a High School coaching career in Austin to give back to younger players. Balancing, work, life and playing Dave was:
Assistant Coach Westlake HS 1987-89
Head Coach Westwood HS 1990-97
Head Coach Westlake HS 2004-09
Head Coach Vandegrift HS 2009-2012
Asst Head Coach Westwood HS 2018-23
He accomplished:
- State Champions 2023
- 6 Conference Championships
- State Championship Finalist
Simultaneously Dave was advancing in his career and developing leading expertise in Internet Security technologies as he proceeded through Cirrus Logic 1992-95 and Haystack Labs as VP Sales 1995-1996. Haystack was first to host based intrusion detection, (an application that monitors a network for malicious activity or policy violations). Haystack was acquired by Trusted Information Systems in 1996.
After the Acquisition Dave joined WheelGroup in 1997 as VP OEM Sales. WheelGroup was also a computer technology company and one of the first to specialize in network security and penetration testing technology. The company developed and sold the market's first commercial intrusion detection system. In February 1997 WheelGroup was on the Cover of Fortune Magazine and was later acquired by Cisco Systems in March 1998. Dave became Cisco Systems New York City Security Specialist for Banking and Brokerage where he was the recipient of a special commendation from the FBI August 2001 and was assigned as the Operational Security Lead for 22 days immediately following 9/11/2001 terrorist attack protecting NYC emergency voice network. From 2005-2009 Dave at Cisco Systems was the Security Business Unit Strategist. Dave wrapped up his career as VP Sales SecureLogix and Behaviosec, both security technology companies, until his retirement in 2020.
All the while Dave kept playing with the Crease Monkey LC International travel team from 2000-2007, Adrenaline Lacrosse Club 1996- 2010, Los Viejos Vail Tournament Team 2010-15 and played in the World Games of Lacrosse Masters Division 2002 and 2006.
In addition, Dave has provided vital support to the Lacrosse program which has enabled the team to grow to national prominence! Dave was the key driver behind the creation of the Alex Kiehl scholarship, of which many alumni owe their gratitude.
A Fantastic level of Accomplishment and Dedication!
Dave, it is best to ask, how did you end up at Tech?
In 1978, as a senior in HS I was driven by a sense of adventure and a strong fear of being stuck in New York City for the rest of my life. When I was a freshman in HS my dad told me he did not have the funds to help me get to college so if I wanted to go, I'd have to figure it out myself. I worked two full time jobs in the three summers before I left for college, "processing" chickens from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm from which I would go directly to my night job hanging off the back of a garbage truck that emptied baskets at the six fields of Jones Beach and the amphitheater from 6:00 pm to 3:00 am
That is what drove me to want a better life.
I was accepted to Cornell and Syracuse, but the funding was only partial, and I was stuck having to decide between the two. I made the trips and met Coaches Simmons and Moran; Things were leaning towards Cornell because they had Engineering and Syracuse did not. When I was on my visit, besides it being gray and dreary, I was out on the bridge overlooking a gorge and right there was a phone and a sign next to it that said, "call before you jump". Not a good sign, but then Georgia Tech sent me my acceptance with an academic scholarship and co-op; I took the opportunity sight unseen!
I had never been South of Maryland and I knew no one. When the bus stopped at a diner in North Carolina at 4:00 am, I could not understand the waitress and she couldn't understand me, so I had to point to what I wanted on the menu.
That would be the first time I left all my lax gear where it was, thinking I would never play again. Turns out I was wrong.
You took personal risk at the time, what did you learn at Georgia Tech that propelled you in your career and life?
Georgia Tech taught me disciplines I was lacking, provided an exceptional engineering degree, co-op that cost me an extra year, but saved me three, friendships and experiences… but the greatest value is that it taught me a life lesson I use to this day: Find a real mentor.
At Georgia Tech it was Professor Lauren Platzman, a brilliant mathematician, but an accomplished entrepreneur as well. Through direct and honest dialogue he showed me the transition in the market to node level computing While I was in school IBM had launched the Personal Computer and through pointed conversation Dr Platzman helped me to narrow my focus which ultimately brought me to Intel Corporation at a time when it had been just starting to hit their rocketing upward trajectory in the market.
How did you secure your first job?
Intel, however, was not hiring in Atlanta and I was graduating two weeks before Christmas at a time when the market was contracting for New College Graduates, not exactly the best time to look for employment. Ft Lauderdale Florida had the closest office and was coincidentally ground zero at the time for IBM. PC development, so I borrowed a friend's motorcycle and rode all night for a chance to speak to someone about potential opportunities for employment.
Dr Platzman had contacted a former student who worked in the Boca Raton office who helped facilitate discussions that ended up landing me my first job. I would not leave that office until the manager there interviewed me, and I would not leave the interview until they hired me. They had one more req nationwide available for a NCG Field Application Engineer, I took the offer on the spot with no firm understanding of where I would end up.
For the second time I left my lax gear thinking I would never play again. For the second time I had to find a mentor. I would be flying to California, again sight unseen, in three weeks.
.And for the second time I seized an opportunity that would shape my life without much more than a leap of faith.
How did you balance your career plus playing and coaching lacrosse?
It was not easy but thankfully my wife was an integral part and my biggest fan. Without that shared sense of purpose, I could not have accomplished as much as a tech professional, as a player, or as a coach.
Have any particularly special Lacrosse memories?
My teammates at Georgia Tech, special and lasting memories from playing with three stellar attackmen. The combined skill and patience of fellow attackmen Jeff Gavenas, Tim Kehoe, and John Kerins is what created opportunities for me to finish on the crease thanks to their ability to draw slides and doubles and provide excellent feeds. My fondest memory was a 7-goal game I had… all assisted goals.
As a post collegiate player, winning Vail was high on the list of great memories; squaring off against Team Toyota at the '02 World Games in Perth covering Gary Gait and Bruce Chanachuck was a priceless and exceptional experience - but nothing compared to the fun I had traveling the World with the Crease Monkeys
Have you been following the Jackets Play and what are your thoughts on the team?
Yes, I have stayed close enough to witness the exceptional growth and success that Coach Ken has provided. I have witnessed his development of an exceptional coaching staff and have watched as the team's prominence has ratcheted upwards pretty much every year since he took over.
Any Advice for people looking to enter the program?
Georgia Tech is a no-nonsense way to prepare to thrive in the real world. The opportunities that came my way in life are directly related to the no-nonsense education I received.
Thanks Dave, all the Best!
Sure, Go Jackets!