David M. Koontz
Director of Communications, SeaWorld San Diego
As director of communications at SeaWorld San Diego, Dave Koontz leads the public relations, community relations, visual services and entertainment marketing departments since July 2003. He is responsible for disseminating park information to the news media and ensuring the park maintains a positive and visible image in the community.
He is a member of San Diego Fleet Week Foundation board of directors, the communications committee co-chair for the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, and a member of the Holiday Bowl and Poinsettia Bowl committees and the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau public affairs committee. Dave is also a member of the public relations advisory committee for the San Diego Ronald McDonald House and the community advisory committee for Project Wildlife.
Dave was a Navy public affairs officer from 1989 to 2003. He was responsible for coordinating media relations, community relations and internal communications at several naval commands in the United States, the aircraft carrier USS Constellation and at naval bases in the Mediterranean Sea. Prior to his position in Navy public affairs, Dave was a pilot, flying Navy search and rescue helicopters and combat logistic support helicopters in the United States, Europe, the Mediterranean Sea and the Middle East.
Dave received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh in 1982. He graduated from Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville, Pennsylvania in 1978. Dave lives in Harbison Canyon,California with his wife Leita and their daughter Caitlan. He enjoys biking, hiking, camping, horses, gardening and sports.