Dave Sweet

Hometown: Salem, OH

Dave Sweet, affectionately known as “PAPA Sweet” to friends and a group of special children in Africa, is automätik’s Founder.

Dave grew up in a small Ohio town called “Salem” (Zip Code = EIEIO) and studied Marketing and Psychology at THE Ohio State University (Go BUCKS!).

His career began with Caterpillar in parts and service until he moved into sales operations with Ford Motor Co. After a steady career progression at Ford, Dave received “an offer he couldn’t refuse” from a Ford/Mazda retailer in CA where he had the opportunity to sit in about every chair through general management. In 1990, Sweet received another offer he couldn’t refuse from J.D. Power & Associates to serve as a consultant, facilitator, and instructional designer.

That is what started automätik.  And what a wild, wonderful ride it has been, growing from a one-man consultancy into a full-service international Tier One event design company.

Having instigated a myriad of ground-breaking training interventions and interactive learning “experiences” over the years, Sweet adopted the pseudo-title of maître d’ (the overseer of servers), a perfect encapsulation of Sweet’s leadership style within automätik and with our valued client partners.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man…” Colossians 3:23