David M. Mincberg, 57, a native of Houston, Texas, is a successful businessman and community leader. David is not a career politician, but rather an entrepreneur who has contributed to his community and Harris County throughout his life.
David's parents arrived in Houston from Europe in 1949 after surviving World War II and the Holocaust. Like many immigrant families, they came to Harris County in search of the American Dream. David was born a year later and has resided in Harris County his entire life.
David excelled in school and became the first member of his family to graduate college. At the University of Texas, David received his B.A. in 1971 and J.D. in 1975. David's college life was notable for his numerous activities, achievements and awards. Among many honors, David served as president of the Friar Society, the University of Texas oldest and highest honorary organization for scholarship and leadership.
After leaving the University of Texas, David practiced general business law with an emphasis in business structure and organization, but ultimately decided to join his father in the family construction business in 1977. Since then David has built thousands of homes for working families, creating thousands of good-paying jobs and investing more than one billion dollars in Harris County's economy.
In 1991, David started his own company serving as the Chairman and CEO of Flagship Properties Corporation. Flagship started with only one employee, but grew into a company that at its height employed a full-time staff of 750. In addition, Flagship Properties and David invested in a variety of different business ventures. David is also President of Flagship Mezzanine Funding, LP, a company that provides mezzanine and equity financing in commercial real estate transactions.
In 2006, David further contributed to his community when Mayor Bill White asked him to serve the City of Houston as Special Assistant for Multi-Family Housing Policy. In this "Dollar-a-Year" position, David coordinated the three housing agencies of the City of Houston with an emphasis on increasing the affordable housing stock in Houston.
A lifetime resident of Harris County, David believes citizens must invest in their community, not only through their work, but through community involvement. David has served his community through important community groups, such as:
- Founder and a past president of Houston Southwest 2000, Inc., a group formed to help revitalize the southwest area of Houston,
- Previously served on the Board of Directors of the Houston Museum of Natural Science,
- Past president of the Jewish Family Service Foundation Board,
- Previously served on the Board of Directors of the DePelchin Children's Center,
- Past member of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Community Center,
- Executive Committee of the Board of the Houston Child Guidance Center, and
- Past president of the American Jewish Committee.
As a result of his service to his community, David received many distinguished honors, including:
- The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston's Young Leadership Award (1991),
- The Mickey Leland Humanitarian Award by the NAACP (1994),
- The University of Texas Tejas Club Distinguished Alumni Award (2001),
- The Houston Chapter of the American Jewish Committee Max H. Nathan Human Relations Award (2003), and
- The Association of Fundraising Professionals Outstanding Community Volunteer, Houston National Philanthropic Day (2006).
David is married to Lainie Gordon; they are the parents of five children.