Quick trivia: Did you know that David Downs, a significant figure in the Plano community, would love to be a tour guide in Africa? Or a photographer? Maybe even a writer? The multiple acronyms after his name, however—CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) and CLU (Certified Life Underwriter) to name just two—reveal accreditations of a different career path. But even though he and his work are a perfect match, it's been his life experiences and world travels that are the framework for his passionate philosophy on volunteerism.

David recently received the 2012 Distinguished Leadership Award, a distinction recognized by the Association of Leadership Professionals. All Leadership Plano alumni are invited to nominate a Leadership Plano graduate who has made significant and notable contributions for the betterment of the Plano community. To be eligible, the graduate must display an exceptional commitment to being involved in the community and mentoring future civic leaders. A reception was held in his honor on April 30 at the Courtyard Theater.

When asked what it meant to receive this award, David pauses and, ever thinking of others before himself, relates his high esteem for the previous honorees' drive to help others and give back. He praises their "servant leadership"—the ability to encourage rather than dictate. To say "we can do this." To be considered at their same level leaves him smiling as he says, "Getting this award tells me I'm doing something right."

Born in Monroe, Louisiana, David moved frequently with his father's job overseeing construction projects. This allowed him to experience everything from small Arkansas towns (population 600) to the big city of Chicago. Though traveling prevented David from building lasting relationships in his youth, his family was a constant presence. Accompanying his dad on jobs presented opportunities to acquire not only knowledge of the trade, but management skills and an excellent work ethic.

The eldest of four children, David is quite accustomed to a large family: His father is one of 11 children, his mother, one of seven. As a child, David's families were close, traveling together and living in the same neighborhood, which resulted in unlimited playmates that were more like brothers and sisters than cousins. With the help of Facebook, the many family members remain in close contact today. Their own Facebook group boasts more than 70 members and is crucial when planning family reunions. Months in advance, the family coordinates their hunting excursions, horseshoe tournament, and barbeque menu.

The family settled in Plano in 1972, but traveling was still a significant factor in their lives. David saw Kiev, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and even spent his senior year in a boarding school in Spain. And yet, despite all the "away and back, away and back, we kept coming back to Plano," David explains. Even when he went to college and began his career as a financial planner with AXA Advisors in Chicago, he moved back to Plano to be near family. And it's in Plano where David Downs has remained.

As his two sons grew up, David was faced with the question of where to focus his time and energy. The answer was simple: wherever he could build relationships. A defining characteristic of his personality, the desire to meet people, propelled him into the Plano community. Each new person he meets is like discovering a new world—different backgrounds, different outlooks that each put a different spin on the world in which they share.

Wanting to know more about the city, David found himself at the Plano Chamber of Commerce. At chamber meetings, another striking facet of David's personality comes to light: the desire to help people. Rather than promote his own business, he considers others first. He shares that "more often it becomes, 'How can I promote someone else?' " For those who can't attend a meeting, "I end up giving their commercial instead of mine!"

Within two years, David was Ambassador Chair for the chamber—reasoning it was because he just wanted to meet more people. He definitely did.

Attending a ribbon-cutting event at City House eventually led to him joining its board and being an irreplaceable chair of My Friend's House construction committee. The idea for My Friend's House arose from the fact that Collin County had no shelter available for newborns and young children. David's background in construction made the project fun, despite setbacks and obstacles they faced along the way. In the end, "it was a labor of love," he explains. His vision, birthed from the relationship with his family, is for the children to "gain some positive hope that changes their life. If I can do that, I may not even see the reward. There's no way to put a price on it."

David's background of a strong family bond, refined by world travels, is truly the fire underneath his volunteerism. And having seen the conditions in which others in the world live, he appreciates the value of what Plano has to offer its residents. That recognition then turns into the mentality of "If I live here, why not make it better?" he explains. "A community maintains its status as a great place to live and raise a family through the efforts of its citizens as well as its elected officials and paid staff. Volunteerism is an honor not a burden; the rewards far outweigh the cost."

His involvement in the community also includes being a graduate of Leadership Plano, volunteering with HOSTS (Helping One Student to Succeed), and dedicating time to Boy Scouts of America. He's also served on the board and advisory board for numerous organizations, including Plano Youth Leadership, City of Plano Parks & Recreation, HomeAid, and CASA of Collin County.

When asked about his future plans, David envisions seeking a Plano City Council spot as his next venture. Looking down the road another 10-15 years, however, he sees himself driving an RV across the country, seeing new places with his wife, Chris, who also works and volunteers in Plano. Business would continue as usual, with technology permitting him to still assist his clients, but it wouldn't be work…not really, and it never has been. "I don't work," David says, laughing. Rather, "I like to say, 'In my spare time, I'm a financial planner.' "