After serving on the Board of Directors at Beech Acres Parenting Center for a decade Dave Wallace is stepping down to focus on family and pursue other interests.

Dave was drawn to Beech Acres Parenting Center after meeting Jim Mason soon after the transition to the modern parenting center had been completed. “I already had an appreciation for the importance of parenting,” Dave said. “I had a great set of parents myself and appreciated the impact parents have on their children.” Impressed with the work Beech Acres Parenting Center was doing in the community, Dave joined the outreach committee and eventually became a board member. “One thing that grabbed me about Beech Acres was that it was an organization devoted to parenting,” Dave said. “That focus gets us upstream of many of the problems we have in society.”

During his tenure as a board member at Beech Acres Parenting Center Dave was most impressed with a proactive approach championed by Jim Mason. “Social services are usually in a position where they are cleaning up a problem,” Dave observed. “One of Beech Acres goals has been to be proactive about preventing problems before they manifest.” Dave was particularly impressed with the introduction of Natural Strength Parenting™, Beech Acres Parenting Center’s unique approach to parenting. “I have been a fan and advocate of Natural Strength Parenting™,” Dave said. “strength-based approach mingled with intentionality and mindfulness strikes me as really intuitive and has really resonated with me.”

Dave has high hopes for the future of the organization. “I hope the organization continues to thrive,” Dave said. “The more people we can help and educate about Natural Strength Parenting™ the better for the community.”

As impressive as Dave’s impact and legacy is at Beech Acres Parenting Center, his proudest legacy is his three daughters. Dave and his wife Shelly have three daughters, Laura, Becca, and Susan. “I’m lucky to have three wonderful daughters,” Dave reflected. “Shelly is the best mother I have ever seen. We’re really fortunate.”

On parenting, Dave said, “Good parenting is equal amount good luck and hard work.” His and Shelly’s hard work clearly paid off. Here is Dave’s true legacy, as told straight from his daughters.

Laura Wallace: A pop culture connoisseur, my dad recommended much of the media that comprised my formative years: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Veronica Mars, The His Dark Materials Trilogy, and Harry Potter, each of which feature a spunky, too-smart-for-her-own- good heroine. When we pointed out this “coincidence” recently, he admitted that, unbeknownst to us, he had intentionally cultivated media recommendations with strong female role models for us. Of course, he did – this is just one of the many ways my dad thoughtfully inspired us to be our best selves.

Becca Wallace: My dad is the golden example of showing your love for your family and your community through service. When we were growing up, my mom had to travel for work every once in a while, and anytime that happened, led by dad, we completed surprise home improvement projects so that my mom would return and know how much she was loved. Similarly, every time I came home from college, I would find homemade cookies and applesauce waiting for me and know how much my dad missed me and loved me. It has been truly incredible to see him show this same type of love to the Cincinnati community through his service on non-profit boards.

Susan Wallace-Jorgensen: Dad has always given me unconditional support, whatever I was interested in. Some examples from over the years: he’s taken me to baseball games, coached my Destination Imagination team, chaperoned at Latin Convention, gone to Avett Brothers concerts, visited my produce stand, and connected me to his professional network. He asks great questions and offers wise suggestions. He gives gifts of food and sci-fi recommendations. He is thoughtful and humble and an awesome dad.