David Connelly
On Wednesday March 14 we hear a classification speech from new member David Connelly. David is the Inn Keeper at The Inn at Shattuck. David grew up in Owatonna, Minnesota and was a self-described dorky kid who started a chess club and always wore a sweater vest. In high school he was quite the baseball player and was a talented left-handed pitcher. In a small accident on the way to SW State in Marshall, Minnesota where he was going to college and playing baseball, he lost his ability to pitch a good pitch.
David had finished High school early and had volunteered his time in the elementary schools help kids with reading and math. He has decided he wanted to be a teacher.
Pondering life one day on his front porch, he notices a squirrel trying to get a nut off the busy street out in front of his house. It dawned on him this squirrel was just trying to survive and provide for his family. David adopted the moto "be like the squirrel" bringing his life into focus. He even has the saying tattooed on his hand so he can be reminded.
David has previously worked at the Holiday Inn in Owatonna, doing a variety of jobs before he made a success of the restaurant there. He moved to Torie's in Owatonna, a restaurant with a high-end feel. As he was working for Torie's and was helping develop a food and beverage program for the under-construction Inn at Shattuck, he knew he wanted to be a part of the project in a big way. David became the Innkeeper for the Inn and now over sees the day to day operations of the facility. People first, heart first, commonsense first, is the way he runs things.
David is a father to 2-year-old Willow. It is obvious from his classification speech that she is the light of his life. David says their living in Faribault has impacted Willow already at a young age. He gave one example of deciding to teach her American Sign Language (ASL) so she can communicate with members of the community who attend MSAD.
David is an avid promoter of Faribault, having grown up in Owatonna, (our next-door neighbor) he admits he didn't come to Faribault for much. Now that he is here he loves Faribault and its rich history and cultural diversity.
David we are so excited to have you as a Rotarian, we look forward to all the great things you will do!