David Wells
In Memoriam
David Wells was a partner at Prosek from 2019-2023. He was a wonderful friend, colleague and mentor to many.
He was a Managing Director at BlackRock.
Prior to joining Prosek Partners, he was Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for the Consumer and Investment Management Division of Goldman Sachs. He has experience in the areas of corporate strategy, business operations, media and investor relations, corporate and executive reputation management, transaction communications and other special situations. He previously was head of corporate communications for the Americas at Goldman Sachs.
Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, he was head of marketing and communications for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at J.P. Morgan Chase. He was a journalist before joining the financial services industry and held senior roles at the Financial Times and Bloomberg News. He has also been a commentator for National Public Radio’s Marketplace and was a frequent contributor to programs on CNBC, CNN, the BBC and other networks.
David had degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, where he sat on the advisory board of the Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies and Benson Latin American Collection, and Texas Christian University.
Q & A
What are you most proud of in your public relations career?
The relationships I have made all over the world. I have learned a great deal from some amazing people and I have enjoyed passing what I have learned on to others.
Name one thing most people don’t know about you.
I can’t. That would ruin my reputation for keeping a secret (though in truth I am a pretty open book).
How would your mother describe you?
I think she would say I am a good man.
What are your greatest strengths as a public relations practitioner?
George Bernard Shaw once said the single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. My goal is to help clients accelerate the growth of their business by being better communicators. Those who do build stronger brands and are able to acquire and retain clients and talent.
What is your favorite food?
Can we make that plural? If I have to pick one I would go with chicken fried steak.
Describe your perfect client.
Someone who sees how powerful being a good communicator can be and is willing to put in the effort to become one.
What three hobbies or activities do you enjoy most?
These days my favorite activities are doing anything with my kids, exercising or gardening with my wife, and driving my lunar green 68 Ford F-100.
What’s your favorite part of the workday?
It’s a toss up between the excitement of getting started, the feeling I get as I wander through the day, and the pleasure of having finished. I love what I do.
Who would play you in the movie version of your life?
Gregory Peck
What is your favorite quote?
It is too hard to pick a favorite, but one I treasure is from a librarian named Lawrence Clark Powell: “Write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow.”