David Tarver will speak about his family’s Georgia roots, his parents migration to the North, and his own entrepreneurship journey.
Share 
Calendar of Events
February 4, 2013
Featured Speaker: Middlesex County College
David Tarver will present a lecture on his entrepreneurial journey, based on his recently released book, “Proving Ground: A Memoir,” to students, faculty, and staff at Middlesex County College, Edison, New Jersey. The lecture will be followed by a Q&A and book signing.
Share
January 25, 2013
Lecture and Book Signing: U-M Flint Innovation Incubator
David Tarver will present a lecture on the subject of “Overcoming Obstacles,” with examples drawn from his career as a corporate product development engineer, company founder/entrepreneur, and community activist/non-profit organization founder. After the presentation, David will sign copies of his recently published book, “Proving Ground: A Memoir.”
Share
December 15, 2012
Book Signing @ Barnes and Noble Flint, MI
David Tarver will read from “Proving Ground: A Memoir” and sign copies at Barnes and Noble, Flint, MI (at the Genesee Valley Mall). Come on out! A signed copy of “Proving Ground” will make a great holiday gift!
Share
December 6, 2012
U-M Detroit Club Business Networking Event
The U of M Club of Greater Detroit will hold their December 2012 Business Networking Event on Thursday, December 6th, 2012 from 6-8pm at the Engineering Society of Detroit, 20700 Civic Center Drive, Suite 450, Southfield, MI 48076 (Civic Center Drive, between Evergreen and the M-10/Lodge Freeway Service Drive).
Our featured speaker for the evening will be U of M Alum David Tarver. After graduating from U-M with a master’s degree in electrical engineering, David Tarver moved to New Jersey to work at the legendary Bell Laboratories. Seven years later, he and two colleagues left promising careers at Bell to start a company from scratch, in David’s basement. Twelve years later, they sold the company for $30 million. David recently published a book about his adventure in entrepreneurship, “Proving Ground: A Memoir.” Now a resident of Birmingham, MI, David will share insights and observations from his business journey.
Share
November 29, 2012
Flint Public Library: Proving Ground book event
What would cause a young African American engineer to walk away from a promising career at the world’s foremost electronics reseach and development companies to start a business, from scratch, in his basement? David Tarver not only did that, he convinced two African American colleagues to join him in the venture which he later sold. Program and book signing.
5:00 PM: Reception and meet the author
6:30 PM: Book talk and book signing
Share
November 19, 2012
Presentation to 100 Black Men
David will discuss the “Proving Ground” story at the regular monthly meeting of 100 Black Men Detroit.
Share
November 14, 2012
NSBE Entrepreneurship Panel
Panel discussion: “Engineers Tapping into the Entrepreneur Inside”
A discussion with six engineers who have started their own businesses.
Share
November 9, 2012
“Inspiring Minds: African-Americans in Science and Technology”
Opening of new exhibit at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. Exhibit preview, reception, and panel discussion. David Tarver will participate in the panel discussion and will sign copies of “Proving Ground: A Memoir.” Books will be for sale in the museum store.
Share
November 7, 2012
Novi Chamber of Commerce Meeting
Entrepreneur/author W. David Tarver will discuss his Entrepreneurial Approach.
“Entrepreneurship is about much more than starting a business and making money. It is a mindset, a way of approaching your work, your colleagues, your customers, your life. Whether you work for a startup, a large corporation, or a community non-profit organization, the entrepreneurial approach can sharpen your focus and enhance your results.”
W. David Tarver was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Michigan and then went to work for AT&T Bell Laboratories. After seven years Tarver left Bell Labs to start Telecom Analysis Systems from his basement. Twelve years later he engineered the sale of the company for $30 million.
