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David Yates
Former CEO - Ironman Triathlon Company and Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Producer of Dolphin Tale movie franchise
Emmy Award winning Producer of NBC and ESPN Ironman shows
Let David help and inspire you with...
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Personal Inspiration & Motivation:
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Books: Read his multiple inspirational real-life books. Books & Films
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Coaching: Utilize David’s Personal Coaching techniques to change your life trajectory. Life Coaching
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Films: Experience his moving movies and documentary. Books & Films
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Career Assistance:
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Business Planning: David’s award winning strategic planning can turn your nonprofit or small company around or simply help you greater success. Consulting
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Speaking: David is an energetic and inspirational speaker, virtually or in-person that will motivate your team. Speaking
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About David – A Life of Building Hope.
From Ironman to Dolphin Tale
"David’s heart for others is hard to summarize in a few paragraphs, but I think this little story will give you an idea of what he’s like: our mutual friend Stephanie struggles with severe health problems, and found the Dolphin Tale movies in the midst of her countless life-saving treatments. When David found out about her, he not only made her a VIP at Clearwater Marine Aquarium--he hung out with her. He got to know who she is and what she cares about. And then, when the opportunity presented itself, he went above and beyond by surprising Stephanie and her family with Taylor Swift concert tickets. (Both the Evans family and David remember it as the “best night ever.”) That’s who this man is. Someone who, in the midst of his unbelievably demanding schedule, makes time for every individual person in beautiful ways they’ll never forget. " Cozi Zuehlsdorff – Actor (Dolphin Tale movies, Disney’s Mighty Med, Disney’s Freaky Friday 2018)
David Yates is the former CEO of both the Ironman Triathlon Company (World Triathlon Company) and Clearwater Marine Aquarium (Dolphin Tale movie franchise). Ironman is now a nearly billion-dollar international sports brand, with TV packages on NBC and ESPN, and many international media outlets. As the Executive VP and then CEO, Yates repositioned the Ironman brand and established a brand growth plan that exists to this day.
Yates just completed a 14-year tenure as CEO at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, in Clearwater, Florida. David assumed this position at a time when CMA was on the verge of insolvency, and created a vision, business model and an award-winning management team that has successfully resurrected CMA into a thriving global organization. When Winter the disabled dolphin came to Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Yates had the foresight to see her story of survival as an inspiration to others. He initiated a marketing and media plan that promoted the story worldwide and attracted the attention of animal lovers and individuals with life challenges, who would learn from her story. This story has been told in nearly all major national and international media outlets, including NBC’s Today Show, Good Morning America, Oprah, BBC, ABC, CBS, FOLx and thousands of others. Winter’s story has also been featured in magazines such as People, Reader’s Digest, Time, Women’s World, Scholastic, Nat Geo for Kids and too many others to recount. Yates’ unwavering vision has come to fruition and drawn an unparalleled amount of tourists to the Clearwater, Florida area to see Winter and learn more about her story and CMA’s mission. These initiatives and the increase in attendance have created a multi-billion dollar economic impact for hotels, restaurants and other attractions in the Clearwater Beach area and Statewide.
Millions around the world have been brought life-changing inspiration by David’s work with Ironman and Winter the Dolphin.
Yates has produced a documentary on Winter’s story and has helped produce six books about her. Yates is also Co-Producer/Executive Producer of the #1 box office hit Dolphin Tale and its sequel, Dolphin Tale 2, the Warner Bros.-based Alcon Entertainment major motion pictures that star Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson, Nathan Gamble, Cozi Zuehlsdorff, Austin Highsmith and Austin Stowell. Yates also directed and wrote the documentary “Winter, the Dolphin That Can”, and directed the web series Rescue-Clearwater. Yates and his wife Joan reside in Palm Harbor, Florida and have four grown children.
David's Big Purpose
 David & Cerebral Palsy Warrior Mighty Miss Maya Tisdale |  David at Dolphin Rescue |  David & Rio Woolf, UK - Amputee Warrior |
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 David & Bernadette, Charcot-Marie-Tooth Overcomer |  Anni Emmert |  Sea Turtle Release, Clearwater Beach |
 David & Young Cancer Patient |  David & Young Amputee |  David & Dolphin Tale Actors |
 David receiving award from former Florida Governor Rick Scott |  David doing press interview |  David & Cozi Zuehlsdorff - Dolphin Tale and Disney star |
 David & Meghan Schmidt - Visually impaired Overcomer |  David & Winter Super Fan |  David & Young Amputee and Family |
 David Speaking at Pakistan Church |  David & Teen Amputee |  David & Medically Challenged Teen |
 David & Winter Fan |
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AWARDS/RECOGNITION
AWARDS
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3 Sports Emmy Awards – Ironman NBC Shows
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3 International Monitor Awards – Ironman NBC Shows
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Governor’s Business Ambassador Award (Florida)
AWARDS
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Tampa Bay Business Journal Nonprofit of the Year
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Tampa Bay Business Journal Top Management Team
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Achievement Award – Florida Motion Picture & Television Association
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Legends Award - Film Florida
AWARDS
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Tourism Person of the Year – Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce
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Tourism Person of the Year – Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce
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Nonprofit National Turnaround Award – Turnaround Management Association
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Distinguished Alumni Award _ University of Nebraska - Omaha
News Stories
SPEAKING TOPICS - Virtual and In-person
David Yates has been engaging and inspiring audiences for many years, beginning during his Ironman CEO days, speaking at a diversity of occasions from press conferences to 4,000 person Ironman banquets. During that time and since, Yates has been interviewed for hundreds of media interviews. With his unique life story, including his troubled upbringing by a schizophrenic mother followed by a life that rose to global business success, Yates has developed an ability to captivate audiences on a wide variety of topics.
General Motivation / Inspiration
(Telling the Winter, Dolphin Tale, CMA stories,etc.)
Business Topics Click for examples
How to overcome disabilties in life
Faith-based issues Click for examples
Conservation Issues
Ministry Background Click to read
David's Speeches:
Angels Against Abuse
Congress
Florida Bar
TESTIMONIALS
David’s heart for others is hard to summarize in a few paragraphs, but I think this little story will give you an idea of what he’s like: our mutual friend Stephanie struggles with severe health problems, and found the Dolphin Tale movies in the midst of her countless life-saving treatments. When David found out about her, he not only made her a VIP at Clearwater Marine Aquarium--he hung out with her. He got to know who she is and what she cares about. And then, when the opportunity presented itself, he went above and beyond by surprising Stephanie and her family with Taylor Swift concert tickets. (Both the Evans family and David remember it as the “best night ever.”) That’s who this man is. Someone who, in the midst of his unbelievably demanding schedule, makes time for every individual person in beautiful ways they’ll never forget.
TESTIMONIAL - Cozi Zuehlsdorff
I met David when I was cast in Dolphin Tale at 12 years old. Now, almost ten years later, he’s like my second Dad. David inspires me with his work ethic and sheer vision, but does so in a way that makes me believe that same power is inside of me. He’s not interested in succeeding unless everyone around him succeeds as a result.
My favorite thing about David Yates is that he loves Jesus. I’ve come to David in moments where I felt down, disoriented, and unusable by God. But David always reminded me of the truth: that God never leaves us, He always has a plan for us, and He loves us no matter what. David’s ability to encourage me both deeply and disarmingly has set me straight countless times over the past decade.
Cozi Zuehlsdorff – Actor (Dolphin Tale movies, Disney’s Mighty Med, Disney’s Freaky Friday 2018)
TESTIMONIAL -Austin Highsmith
I met David Yates in September of 2010 when I arrived in Clearwater, FL to film the first Dolphin Tale movie. David immediately made me feel like an old friend, something that I’ve watched him do with every person he mets. David Yates has never met a stranger, and welcomes everyone in with open arms. I became such great friends with David throughout the filming of both Dolphin Tale 1 & 2, that he became like family to me. So much so that my own father mentioned him during his father-of-the-bride speech at my wedding! David is one of the main people I go to for advice on the “hard stuff,” because I trust his opinion and guidance implicitly.
I always like to say that if David wakes up in the morning and sees a mountain has been put in his path, that he takes one look at the mountain and says, “No problem, I’ll move it.” He’s also a man of very strong faith in Christ, which is undoubtedly the source of his own personal will and confidence. (Phil 4:13) In addition to his faith, David is by far the most generous man I have ever met, and I have met many. I have personally witnessed David single handedly make the dreams of 1,000s of children’s dreams come true. He goes to whatever extreme possible to help those who are in need, and to help make a kid’s life better in whatever way he can. He has such a passion for kids with disabilities and life struggles, for the men and women in our Armed Services, and for the marine environment and marine animals. I could tell story after story of David helping people, and of him helping take care of this beautiful earth that we have been tasked with caring for. My own pastor once said that we look the most like Jesus when we are being of service. Well, David clearly aims to look like Jesus every single day of his life. I love David Yates with my whole heart and I’m eternally grateful for having him in my life.
Austin Highsmith – Actor (Dolphin Tale movies, Criminal Minds, CSI, Rogues of LA, Scream)
TESTIMONIAL - Nathan Gamble
Don’t you dare ask me to sum up who David Yates is in a few measly paragraphs. No way. It simply wouldn’t be enough. However, if I must, I will have to go back to the best Book ever written to find the correct comparison for Mr. Yates.
In the Old Testament of the Bible, there is a very unique relationship between two people named Jonathan and David. These two men are the best of friends despite their two very different personalities. David was a man after God’s own heart, a poetic genius, and a true leader both in the spiritual sense and relationally. Jonathan was simply David’s incredibly loyal friend who would put his life in danger if it meant helping his friend David.
Jonathan will never have the notoriety that David has, but David would’ve never been the man he was if it wasn’t for the exceptional loyalty and love of his friend Jonathan.
I know what you’re thinking. You’re going to compare David Yates to the Psalmist David, aren’t you? CORRECT! But if it were up to Mr. Yates, he would prefer to be compared to Jonathan. Mr. Yates doesn’t want the spotlight until everyone of his friends (which I’m convinced is everyone he meets) has the spotlight first. David Yates most certainly has all of OT David’s traits: great leader, truly intelligent, creatively brilliant, and influential on the largest of scales. But at the core of who Mr. Yates is as person, he’s a loyal and generous friend who will do anything for anyone at any time. Much like Jonathan.
Nathan Gamble – Actor (Dolphin Tale movies, Batman: The Dark Knight, The Goldbergs, Marley & Me, CSI)
TESTIMONIAL. - Katherine E. Hether
David Yates is a Christian family man, who has inspired people of all ages around the world. David led his team in taking care of a young injured dolphin named Winter, in Oak Hill, Florida, with no hope for survival, and saved her life with the first prosthetic tail. His vision didn’t stop there. They not only saved Winter, but he also turned her story into two major documentaries and two
major motion pictures that brought worldwide hope to all people with disabilities.
To this day, I can still hear the passion in his voice, see the gleam in his eyes as he talked about the many small children, veterans, and people from all over the world that have come to see Winter, and left with renewed hope.
It is his Christ-like love and passion for conservation, marine life, and mankind that inspired me to use CMA as I described a scene in my third novel, Project Wraith.
Katherine E. Hether, Author
TESTIMONIAL - Stephen Brown
"I have worked with David Yates for over a decade. During that time I have seen him stimulate and challenge crowds of every age and origin and hold their rapted attention. I have witnessed him building the brand of Clearwater Marine Aquarium from a tiny structure to a colossal force. He is a man whose integrity is only matched by his boundless enthusiasm.
He lives the quote from the late baseball player, Ted Williams, ' for life's sake put back more than you take'
Stephen Brown, filmmaker.