Kiwanis Club of Houston
September 2nd Luncheon

Speaker: David Gow

David Gow is the CEO of Gow Media, a large multi-platform media company, based in Houston.  Gow Media’s portfolio of digital content sites includes Culturemap, Sportsmap, Innovationmap  and Automotivemap.com.  Gow also owns a popular sports radio station in Houston, ESPN 97.5FM and SportsMap Radio, one of the country’s largest national sports radio networks. 

In addition to his work at Gow Media, Gow is organizing a SPAC for sportstech, with the IPO date targeted in mid-August.  Gow will serve as Chairman and CEO of the SPAC with a board that also includes Reid Ryan, Oliver Luck, Steve Webster and David Graf.

Prior to entering the media business, Gow was first CFO and ultimately the CEO of Ashford.com, a company that grew to over $50M in revenues.  As CFO, Gow managed a successful IPO, raising over $75M with Goldman Sachs as the lead underwriter.  As CEO, Gow grew a profitable corporate gifts business to complement the company's e-tailing business.  Ashford.com was sold to GSI Commerce in 2002 and is still a leading online destination for watches. 

Prior to Ashford, Gow served as Director of Corporate Strategy at Compaq Computers.  Among the projects he led, Gow managed the integration of two acquisitions, Digital and Tandem Computers, for all of Compaq North America. 

Prior to Compaq, Gow worked as a management consultant at McKinsey & Co.  While there, he consulted for companies in diverse industries, including technology, media, retail, and energy.  Gow left the firm after attaining the position of Engagement Manager.