“Always try to be nice, but never fail to be kind.”

David Wise is this Co-Director of the Tahoe STEM Camp, where he develops hands-on, science and engineering curriculum and teaches classes throughout the summer program. When this Tahoe native is not teaching at the camp, he is either volunteering at Bijou Elementary School or working full time as a Senior Review Editor at TechGearLab, where he has led in the creation of the world’s most scientific testing and review process for more than 300+ consumer electronics products.

Congratulations to this week’s 40 under 40 honoree, David Wise!

Can you tell us a little about your responsibilities and accomplishments in your current position?

I have been a Senior Review Editor at TechGearLab for a little over three years. We test and review a large variety of consumer appliances, smart home products, and tech gadgets side-by-side and I have written reviews for hundreds of products spanning 30 different categories, such as 3D printers, electric skateboards, and VR headsets. Additionally, I’m a Co-Director of the Tahoe STEM Camp with Jamie Orr, where I both develop science and engineering curriculum and teach multiple classes in our summer program through LTCC Connect.

What has been your favorite professional moment in the last year?

For the Ocean Exploration summer camp, the students design and build their own underwater robots. On the final day, they launched them from the pier at Lakeview Commons and it was really rewarding to see how excited they were as they got to try out their designs and see if their projects would sink or swim — literally!

Do you have a professional/life mantra that you live by?

I’ve always found a line written by Steven Moffat to be particularly compelling: Always try to be nice, but never fail to be kind.

Who is your role model?

My dad. I have always done my best to emulate his caring and patient teaching style as well as his unapologetic need to speak out against any injustice, no matter the personal cost.

Why choose Tahoe to make your home and career?

There simply isn’t anywhere else in the world that I have been that can compare to Tahoe. I might be biased since I grew up here, but it is a truly special place. It has an amazing community and almost any outdoor activity you can imagine.

Are you active in any volunteer roles or community groups?

I’ve recently started volunteering at Bijou Elementary School helping with their 5th grade science module, bringing in some of our hands-on curriculum from Tahoe STEM Camp.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?

Skiing in the winter, mountain biking, floating the river, and taking the dogs to the beach in the summer.

Where are your favorite South Shore stomping grounds

I would have to say Divided Sky, South Lake Brewing, Empanash, and Taqueria Jaliscos come to mind.

Do you know a deserving young professional? Nominate them here.