David Barber

Financial manager, Beaver Street
Contact David, 904.265.4700

A former restaurant owner and senior business advisor with a B.A. degree in mathematics from Ohio University and a B.A. degree in Organizational Management from Ashford University, Barber is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida.

“David comes to us with outstanding credentials in both accounting and business,” said Executive Director Jackie Perry, noting that his entrepreneurial experience as a small business owner makes him a perfect candidate for the diverse needs of Beaver Street Enterprise Center.

“David’s familiarity with costing, budgeting, revenue accounting and financial modeling has prepared him to handle all aspects of incubator accounting ranging from tenant building to budget analysis,” said Perry, adding that Barber will also act as a valuable resource and support to tenants, assisting them with financial education as well as with preparation of loan packages.

Barber, a licensed, registered Commodities Broker with the Commodities Futures Trading (CFTC) Commission and National Futures Association (NFA), says that he combines analytical and interpersonal processes when evaluating the needs of a small business.

“I’ve enjoyed meeting all of the tenants and had an opportunity to confer briefly with a couple of the business owners about some of their specific concerns,” said Barber, who is looking forward to providing assistance to tenants one-on-one by putting his experiences to work for them. “It’s that extra element of support that sets a business incubator apart,” he said. “I like that.”

As a Licensed PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Instructor and a Licensed U.S. Coast Guard Captain, Barber obviously possesses an adventurous, entrepreneurial spirit in both his business and his leisure pursuits. “We need to live near the water,” he said, noting that he enjoys open water scuba diving and boating with his wife, Amanda, a counselor with the Early Learning Coalition of Duval County.

With Barber at Beaver Street’s financial helm, Jackie Perry predicts that he will greatly increase their financial literacy while also providing inspiration, guidance and leadership to the tenants at Florida’s only core-city incubator.