Employee Spotlight: Meet Dave

Perhaps the best way to describe Dave Burnip is as a modern-day Renaissance man. While his title at Liberty HealthShare is Director of Security & Building Operations, Burnip’s interests extend far beyond his role at the ministry as he has experienced success in a number of fields.

The Ohio native, now 56, has followed his insatiable love of learning to find his way into a diverse set of roles including entrepreneur, police officer, construction company manager, window installer, security guard—including stints at a nuclear power plant, a Christian college, and a hospital—college student, process designer, salesman, and store owner.

“I like to stay busy,” joked Burnip. “Been that way my whole life. Many times, I have started something new just to prove that I could do it.”

Burnip attributes his love of learning new things to his grandfather, Francis.

“I spent a lot of time with my grandfather,” said Burnip. “He could do anything. I watched and learned how to work with my hands, solve problems, and do things that help people. He inspired me to be open to learning new things.”

Following his high school graduation, Burnip served his country for four years in the Marine Corps.
“I picked the Marines because I believed it was the biggest challenge,” said Burnip. “It put me in positions to have to do things that I never would have done on my own, like jumping off a tower with just a rope around my waist.”

After completing his military service, Burnip started his own window installation company. Soon thereafter, he attended the police academy and began working as an officer with several villages in Northeast Ohio. Those experiences in law enforcement led to an opportunity at Malone University in Canton, Ohio, where he worked for 18 years as Director of Security.

“I loved Malone,” said Burnip. “The university took care of me as much as I took care of it. I’m very proud of how my team and I were able to establish and maintain a safe and secure environment for that community of students.”

Despite having a full-time job, Burnip began taking classes and eventually earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting.

“I’m good with my hands and with numbers, so the degree has allowed me to consider a whole range of opportunities to take my interests and establish new ventures.”

Burnip made his way to Liberty HealthShare in 2019. Early in his time at the ministry he also worked at Malone and Summa HealthCare, creating days that routinely lasted 18 hours.

“I’m not sure how I did it,” said Burnip. “I typically slept from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. However, I enjoyed all three experiences. I was raising my kids, and the additional income allowed me to provide for them in the way I wanted.”

While again working on earning another degree with online classes, an MBA at Louisiana State University, Burnip’s vocational focus is Liberty HealthShare.

“I love my job. It has plenty of challenges and new experiences,” said Burnip. “No two days are alike. Our people are great and I’m proud of what we are attempting to do for our members.”

Working just one full-time job has not limited Burnip’s outside interests. His need to be busy manifested as he taught himself how to use a laser engraver. This new skill led to an online store (Big Stretch Kennels) selling clothing such as t-shirts, hoodies, and hats. Additionally, through a partnership with a company in Tennessee, Burnip has established and is marketing a brand of coffee. It is named Ziva’s Blend, named after his dog Ziva, a German Shorthaired Pointer.

“I like coffee and drink a lot of it,” said Burnip. “I was thinking of creating a blend and went for it. I’ve already sold some.”

Burnip’s current project is a new children’s book titled Ziva and the Sharing Game. The book was created to help teach his twin grandsons, River and Rowen, how to share. Both are featured in the book.

"They are some fun little dudes, but they don’t always share well,” said Burnip. “I thought a book could be something that helped. It’s also something they can keep forever when it is published.”

Adding to the roles mentioned above, Burnip is the father of four: sons Francis, Leyland, and Ty, and a daughter, Leslie, the mother of River and Rowen.

“I’ve been enormously blessed,” said Burnip. “There isn’t a day that goes by that I am not thankful for that gift.”