This is the vision for Ducati Seattle created by founder David Roosevelt
David Roosevelt is the walking, talking and expressive Brand of Ducati. Talking with him I quickly became engulfed in the Ducati experience. It is that deep-rooted emotional connection successful brands extend to its customers and public. David has that gift and has been a catalyst and innovator for building the Ducati brand in North America since 1991.
Born in Seattle David spent the first 10 years of his life in Florida, then moved to Portugal for 3 years and 1 year in the UK before returning to Florida where he graduated from high school. Shortly after he returned to Seattle where he has lived ever since and makes his home in Ballard a neighborhood of Seattle with his wife Kellie and stepdaughter. His step son Robert also loves motorcycles and is a trained Ducati motorcycle mechanic.
Like many of us, David’s influence and passion for vehicles began early on. For him borrowing playing cards from his parents and using balloons in the spokes of his bike for that much sought after thub dub, thub dub engine sound were an indication of things to come… not to forget owning a Matel V-rroom!
David’s first real motorized bike was a Honda Mini Trail 50 when he lived in Florida. He rode around his home in Europe on a Honda SL 100. Looking back he recalls owning 40 or so bikes but highlights stepping up into larger bikes in the 70’s, specifically into a Yamaha TX650. Around that time he also began his career in the motorcycle industry finding employment with several local dealerships in the parts department, which transitioned into sales in the 80’s. If you have met David you will know, interacting with and connecting with people is a natural calling for him and to do that with his love for motorcycles… Hello!!! Destiny calling.
Enter his racing career. He began racing regionally in the Washington Motorcycle Road Racing Association series in the early 80’s. http://www.wmrra.com/
His first bike he campaigned was aboard a 75 CB400F Honda then quickly moving onto his 80 CB750F. His accomplishments cover 4 championships and the number 2 overall club plate in 1982. For the most part David’s racing career had run it course by 1985 but he did return for one more race in 1987 where he finished that race in 2nd.
As life encourages at times, (expected or not) David decided to take some time to evaluate what’s next. This time was short lived as destiny called again. A local dealership Bellevue Suzuki Ducati recruited him in November 1991 because of his reputation and success in sales. This was the first time David had been exposed to the Ducati brand, a brand he was now tasked to build. Ducati was not highly recognized at the time but David saw the potential, understood and believed in the philosophy of this Italian motorcycle manufacturing company. His entrepreneurial side kicked in. He created one of the first motorcycle websites (unheard of in the industry at the time) and began to outline all the attributes and opportunities for Ducati. Within a year Bellevue Suzuki Ducati became the top Ducati dealer in North America.
A visit to World Ducati Weekend held in San Marino in 1998 would be a life and career changing moment for David. Essentially the top executives were so impressed by David’s passion, enthusiasm and innovative ideas for the Ducati brand. At the same time Ducati was realigning their image and position in the market place. Gensler Archietects developed the initial design language for an immersed in-store Ducati lifestyle experience. Talk about coming into alignment. They offered David the opportunity to open the first specific Ducati Store in the United States shortly after the Manhattan Ducati Store showcase was built. This was a totally branded departure from traditional motorcycle dealerships. Six months after the offer from top Ducati executives, Ducati Seattle opened its doors with David at the helm. WOW!! It has been a match made in heaven. I have never met a vehicle enthusiast like David whose passion grew from owning and riding motorcycles to become evolved and passionate about extending the Ducati brand for others to experience and enjoy.
Clearly, the Ducati brand would not of had the success and lifestyle awareness associated with it today if their motorcycles were not born of the same DNA. The design language, a mix or sensuous spline curves, aggressive performance and ultimate success and notoriety on the Moto GP world stage. Moto GP the pinnacle for motorcycle performance. Moto GP is a sport that attracts the affluent and aligns their lifestyles with motorcycles of the highest caliber. The design and launch of the 1098 was a milestone for Ducati, David said. A true super bike that became accessible to the public. This model connected with the consumer like no other. From lessons learned the whole line of Ducati motorcycles now align individual lifestyle and gender preferences.
Now the Ducati products extends past its motorcycle line but to associated products that connect the brand with urban professionals, fashion aficionados and joy of living lifestyles. David supports the lifestyle community with his products, displays and events. A good example is his involvement in the Seattle Fashion week. http://seattlefashionweek.net/
He is committed to supporting his current and future enthusiasts anyway he can and is fully accessible in the social media scene. Check him out.
Website: http://ducatiseattle.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seattle-WA/Ducati-Seattle/50420383870
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ducatiseattle
All I can say is I’m a fan… and look forward to owning a Ducati one day… The problem is which one? :D
Magnifico, Grazie David!
