June 20, 1960 – October 4, 2014
David Penn was a long time member of the Greater Washington DC Chapter of ARMA. He was born on June 20, 1960 in Oakland, California to the late Helen and William Penn. At the time of his death on October 4, 2014 at Georgetown University Hospital, he was the Washington, DC Office Records Manager for the law firm of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton LLP, headquartered in New York, NY. He is survived by his wife, Rochelle, a brother, William Jr., and a sister, Claudia Penn.
David attended D.C. Public School’s Slowe Elementary, Taft Junior School and McKinley Tech High School. He pursued college at Howard University where he received his certification in Studio Instruction and Training. He quickly became part of the Omega Recording Studios. He was a member of B.M.I (Broadcast Music, Inc.), ARMA, and was owner/CEO of his own business, Amway Marketing. One could say that he covered both aspects of “records” management.
David started his records management career at the law firm of Arnold & Porter (A&P) under Phil Holloway who was very active in the DC ARMA Chapter. While at A&P, David worked his way up from File Clerk to Senior Records Clerk, to Assistant Records Supervisor. David soon became active in ARMA, too, using the Chapter to help educate him in the ways of records management and then later, to give back to the Chapter, helping newcomers to the career and with Chapter committee service. Later in his career, he participated in chapter events and encouraged ARMA participation with his staff.
After leaving A&P, David served as the Records Manager at Sutherland, Asbill, & Brennan. Then Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen, & Hamilton snagged him to be theirs. They really acquired a quality Records Manager and David was a catalyst for moving the DC office records program forward, as well as a team player for the records program corporate wide.
Because David was confident in his abilities, he was easygoing and a joy to work for and with. He didn’t ask more of anyone than he was willing to do himself and never outgrew working alongside of someone rather than over them. He knew his records management ‘stuff’.
David had a deep, resonating voice and totally enjoyed laughing from his wide, bright smile and expressive eyes, all the way down through his shoulders and belly. David, with his very stylish attire, always dressed professionally (usually a suit and tie) regardless of the task at hand (shifting basement storage boxes or attending management meetings); a plus for the law firms where he worked.
His records management peers and friends, his firm and staff, in addition to his wife and immediate and extended family, are missing him.
Friends and associates of David Penn are encouraged to contact the Foundation Administrator to add information to this record. On behalf of the Foundation and David’s family, any contributions made to the memorial fund are greatly appreciated.
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