You’ll find Dave Hurst, Tech Lead at Mission, in the town of Squamish, British Columbia, a mountainous town north of Vancouver. Dave’s journey into the world of technology began in his early years when he got his hands on his first PC, the Commodore VIC-20. Growing up with two brothers, the boys bonded over programming and computer games. Dave vividly remembers spending hours pouring over magazines to learn how to code and create basic games. It was a family affair with one brother reading out the code while the other entered it in. His dad’s interest in technology further fueled his curiosity.
Throughout his college years at the University of Portsmouth, Dave was drawn into the realm of computer science. His passion for this field would soon become his lifelong career.
The Partner in Code: Harley Ware
Dave’s career took an exciting turn when he crossed paths with Harley Ware, his future business partner. Over two decades ago, they teamed up in England, starting a business venture together. Their entrepreneurial spirit led them to develop and sell their business to a Vancouver-based company.
Dave’s role in the company evolved from being primarily on the design side to a versatile developer. This dual proficiency in design and development was a rare feat in those days, setting Dave apart as a true innovator. His passion for user experience (UX) drove him to excel in creating intuitive and user-friendly solutions.
The Journey in Canada
After the successful merger of their imaging products company, Dave and Harley rebranded it as Works Media. Those were the days of hard work and late-night coding sessions, with a small but dedicated team pushing boundaries. Eventually, their path led them to Vancouver, where they became part of PNI Digital Media.
Dave’s career continued to flourish in the tech industry. Dave brought his expertise to the mobile team at Bluescape Software, helping them navigate a shifting market and deliver exceptional results, before moving on to BeyondView, and then ultimately joining Mission.
Side Projects and Interests
Dave’s passion for self-development extends beyond the workplace. He’s an avid writer who penned an insightful article for Medium and great YouTube videos, including one for Ted Ed. Dave is also a dedicated ice hockey goalie, a role that demands not just physical strength but also a locked-in mental game. He understands the overlap between personal development and performance in sports and work.
His book recommendations, including “Tribe of Mentors” by Tim Ferris, “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, and “Letting Go” by David Hawkins, reflect his commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement.
Life Beyond the Screen
Dave’s a loving father and a multifaceted individual. He spends quality time with his daughter, and enjoying activities like hockey, dancing, salsa, hiking, and yoga.
Dave Hurst embodies the spirit of innovation, resilience, and personal growth to which Mission is dedicated. His journey from a young programmer tinkering with PCs to a successful developer and entrepreneur is an inspiration to all software engineers. We’re proud to have Dave as a part of the Mission network and look forward to his future achievements in both the tech world and his personal pursuits.
