David Gilkeson

David Gilkeson serves as the community resilience officer at the Community Foundation of South Alabama, where he leads the development and implementation of strategies to strengthen the region’s capacity for effective disaster mitigation, response, and recovery across the foundation’s eight-county service area.

He entered the nonprofit sector following a distinguished 25+ year career in the United States Army, where he held a variety of leadership roles spanning tactical to strategic levels. His military honors include the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal for Valor.

After retiring from active duty, Gilkeson began his nonprofit career as a Program Director with Habitat for Humanity International. He has since served in program management and fundraising roles with several organizations.

Gilkeson and his wife, Kary, recently relocated to Daphne, Alabama, from St. Louis, Missouri, and previously lived in Marietta, Georgia. Together, they have six adult children and two dogs. In his free time, Gilkeson is an avid cyclist who enjoys mountain biking, road cycling, and gravel riding.