Chamber ambassador spotlight: dave hedge

Dave Hedge may not have originally hailed from Temple, but his presence in the community is already deeply ingrained. With unwavering dedication to his role as General Manager for the Temple Daily Telegram, tdtnews.com, Fort Cavazos Sentinel, Tex Appeal Magazine, and Central Texas Tickets.com, Dave's passion for Temple is unmistakable. Not only does Dave excel in his newspaper career, but he is an invaluable Ambassador for the Temple Chamber of Commerce. Having served as Ambassador Chairman well beyond his designated term, Dave has presented dozens of certificates to businesses and emceed countless Chamber events. Currently, he serves as the Treasurer on the Chamber Board of Directors, contributing his expertise to the organization's financial management.

During his tenure as Chairman, Dave provided invaluable guidance to the Ambassadors, helping establishing guidelines, and running quarterly meetings. Known for his affable nature and quick wit, Dave effortlessly puts people at ease with his humorous banter, all while maintaining a professional demeanor. Whether cracking jokes or offering sincere advice, Dave's reliability and approachability are unwavering, both within the Chamber and beyond.

Originally from Jeffersonville, Indiana, Dave swiftly made his way to Texas, and he loves to say he “got here as soon as possible!”.  He obtained his undergraduate degree from Indiana University in Bloomington and later earned a Master’s in Business Administration from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. Dave's journey in the newspaper industry began early, starting at his local daily paper during high school and continuing through various media companies across multiple states. Reflecting on his career choice, Dave often quotes, "Good newspapers make good communities," highlighting the vital role of journalism in fostering strong communities. This sentiment resonates with his involvement in the Temple Chamber of Commerce, which he says is “the interconnective tissue of the business community and like the newspaper can act as “the voice” for local business and industry.”

Married to Nell Lang Hedge, also a native of Indiana, Dave found love amidst the bustling atmosphere of a Bloomington Chamber of Commerce event – a testament to the value of connections forged through Chamber involvement. Nell works for Architectural Plan Review, a locally owned company founded by Temple High graduates, A’lisa and Robbie Ozment. Together, Dave and Nell are proud parents to two sons, Cooper and Riley, both alumni of Wylie High School in Abilene and the University of Oklahoma. Despite Dave's allegiance to the Sooners, he humorously acknowledges and apologizes to his Temple friends who are Aggie or Longhorn fans, quipping, "Your loyalty follows your money... Boomer Sooner!"
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Temple owes a debt of gratitude to Dave Hedge for his unwavering commitment to the Chamber of Commerce, both as an Ambassador and as a member of the Board of Directors. His dedication exemplifies the spirit of community service and reinforces the Chamber's pivotal role in advocating for a thriving local economy.