Staff Spotlight: David McDade
21 October 2015 11:15AM
David McDade recently joined Duke Economics grant support team as a senior-level grants and contracts administrator, a role in which he manages the sponsored projects for assigned principal investigators (PIs) in the department. Though he has only been here six months, the Baltimore transplant said he can see Duke Economics becoming a permanent home.
When McDade emerges from the depths of the “dungeon” — his nickname for the basement-level office he and Patricia Tirrell share — members of the faculty and staff may recognize him by his impressive mane of silvery hair, salt-and-pepper goatee, and a distinctive, ever-present brown leather hat. Keep reading to learn more about the man beneath the hat.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Gentleman, honest, outspoken
Are you originally from Baltimore?
No, I was born in Puerto Rico. We moved to the States when I was six years old, so I spent most of my life in Baltimore.
What was your first job?
I worked for a skeet and trap club near Baltimore, Md. This was a rifle range and place where people shoot clay pigeons. My job was to launch the clay pigeons that people would shoot.
Before working here, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
I would have to say my job as a senior accountant at the University of Maryland is probably the most interesting job I’ve ever had. I traveled all over Africa to places I never thought I would go. I mentored, trained, and audited all of the satellite offices and sub-awardees we had on a project with the Institute of Human Virology. Most of my destinations were in Nigeria, but I also traveled to Ghana, Egypt, South Africa, and all over Europe.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Each morning, I answer emails and put out fires (any critical issue that came up the night before). I manage the rest of the day as it seems appropriate … maybe overseeing financial issues, communicating with Duke’s centralized pre- and post-award offices, communicating with PIs on relevant issues. Since I am new to Duke, one of my major goals is to learn more about Duke’s Sponsored Projects System. Additionally, I’ve enrolled in the required Duke training for grants and contracts administrators. My goal is to complete the Research Administration Academy (RAA) by the end of December, and I am on target! As soon as I complete this certification, I’ll be pursuing the Advanced Grant Management (AGM) certification, which I hope to complete by April 2016.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
To be able to balance each project’s budget and expenses to the penny every time!
What do you love most about Duke?
I love the atmosphere. When I worked at a few other universities, people were wound very tightly. I find people here to be much more friendly, relaxed, and mellow.
What is on your wish list for the next five years with Duke?
I want to become the “go-to” person for all questions related to grants, contracts, and related issues! I have no desire to go into management — been there, done that!
What is your dream job?
I would love to run a dog shelter. In our retirement, my wife Dana and I would love to rescue 10 dogs from a shelter, rehabilitate them, adopt them out, and then start all over again.
Do you currently do any work with animal rescues or shelters?
I currently am not involved with any shelters, but all of our animals are rescues. We have two dogs, Daisy and Pippy, and three cats, Devo, Taz, and Boo. We’re looking for a third dog now. The only issue is that we have to make sure any new dog we adopt can get along with Taylor, our son.
Since moving down to North Carolina, I’ve saved one dog. One day Dana and I found a puppy in a super market parking lot. He looked so scared. It took two 12-packs of hot dogs for him to trust us. Long story short, “Sky” (what Dana and I named him; his real name is Kody) had escaped from his yard while his family was on vacation and got lost. Thanks to help from a shelter, “Sky”/Kody was reunited with his family three days after we found him. It was the best $2 I’ve ever spent.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
I enjoy spending time with my family. I love being with my wife and teaching our 12-year-old son, who is autistic, about being a man. He has taught me patience to the umpteenth degree!
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I am not the rough-and-tough person people think I am. I’m more of a kind soul, but my deep voice and appearance suggest otherwise.
What is the story behind your signature hat?
Dana gave me this hat more than five years ago. It’s my security blanket; I wear it to remind me of her and to feel safe. She says it’s old and stinky and that I need a new one. I don’t think it stinks … not that much, anyway.