Faces Of Farmingdale: Dave Saul
You’ve seen him around town at grand openings, parades, holiday events and more. You may have even seen him strumming his guitar on stage. But who is Dave Saul? This week, the Farmingdale Observer got to know the familiar face behind Marketing Masters NY and The Electric Dudes that all Dalers know and love.
What is your background in Farmingdale?
I actually grew up close by on the Plainview/Bethpage border. My parents bought a model home—one of the first homes built in the area—when my dad landed a job here, like many other engineers. As a boy, my family grew very involved in Farmingdale; my dad worked at Republic Fairchild in Farmingdale for 35 years, and my mother wound up working at Farmingdale State College in the agricultural department. When I was a child, she brought me there to work summers, I even drove the tractor. So our family made many friends in Farmingdale, and we came here a lot. Later on in my early 20s, a close friend and I had a chance to buy a Levittown house, but it fell through at the last minute. Being so far along in the process, I called a real estate agent, asked about any reasonable homes and they mentioned a “handyman special in Farmingdale.” My eyes lit up, I remembered how much I loved Farmingdale as a kid. We bought it and moved in—with everyone I knew. I still live there today.
What do you enjoy most about Farmingdale?
What I enjoy most about Farmingdale, even as boy, was that it seemed like a close-knit community where everyone knew each other. And it seemed like there were always fun events; we would come here from Plainview to watch the fire department put on fireworks displays, and to a little boy, that was god-like. And we’d go to places like Adventureland, Republic, SUNY Family Days and Zorn’s, where they had a petting zoo; everything seemed to be going on here. Later on, I played music everywhere here in Farmingdale and formed all these great lifelong relationships. Then, even later on, I formed all these terrific business bonds. Everyone here seemed to have a common vision, and I still feel like that today, only 1,000 times more.
What is your favorite memory of Farmingdale?
I have many favorite Farmingdale memories. Definitely number one is I took piano lessons when I was 7. They held a recital at the Untied Methodist Church. I was only average, but the other, more advanced students kind of got scared and choked, and I came in first. So when the people clapped, I was hooked on being a musician. You don’t ever forget things like that. Much later on, literally 35 years later, playing at the Firemen’s Columbus Day Fair in front of everyone—my parents included—was special. And playing Music On Main when the street was closed, in front of thousands of people, was another big highlight. Also, being named Farmingdale Business Person of the Year in 2015, of course, was something I’ll always be so proud of. Plus, helping to promote and vote for Farmingdale to win Best of LI “Best Downtown” four years in a row from 2015 to 2018.
Dalers have a lot of pride. Tell me about the pride you have in being a Farmingdale community member.
Yes, Dalers are fiercely proud—they should be. And that’s definitely true for me; I’m proud of what we’ve built here and I’m extremely proud of all our clients and getting to work with them. When I see Dr. Walter Priestley helping someone feel better or Palmer’s get a great review, I feel proud to just be associated with them. I am especially proud to work with Mayor Ralph Ekstrand and the entire village board. At my former ad agency career, I worked with many of the world’s largest clients, and I would say the Farmingdale village government has the most integrity of anyone I’ve ever worked with. I got lucky. And the fire department members are like superheroes. And, of course, our young people. When we watch them dancing and marching, playing music in the parades and events, winning awards, you literally feel the Daler pride. And, generally, all the merchants in the Village of Farmingdale and seeing what they are accomplishing.
Tell me about your band. What is your musical background like?
As far as our band, The Electric Dudes, and music, well, I started playing very early on. My Mom, Kate, played piano and went to Julliard, but she gave that career up to have me. So she made me take piano lessons (and clarinet and everything else). Then I got into guitar and rock music and that was it. I started playing Teen Battle of the Bands from the time I was 14 years old, and I haven’t stopped since. Around 35 years ago, we played a duo gig with my best friend as The Acoustic Dudes; just as a fun joke. But it did so well, they kept asking us back. So later on, we turned it into a band and we needed a new name—enter The Electric Dudes. It was just for fun, but it just kept going forward and we wound up playing everywhere there was to play, opening for major artists like Billy Preston, Dave Mason, Rick Derringer and some big concerts upstate. I play guitar and keyboard in the band. Later on, we were voted Best LI Band twice. I just couldn’t believe it. Basically, it surpassed my wildest expectations 25 years ago, and we’re still playing today. And I have to say, it’s all due to the people that support us, the real dudes, and many of them are in Farmingdale.
You have a ton of accomplishments and you do so much for the community. Could you elaborate on some of the things you’ve done and how you came to accomplishing those things?
As far as the marketing, I actually worked at a successful ad agency for 20 years—it became number two in the world. I kind of climbed up the ladder and I was eventually promoted to a vice president dealing with the world’s largest clients. I thought I’d retire there, but when the recession hit, everything changed and they sold the company. Many people were let go, but the clients loved me and I knew I’d be the last man standing. I decided to leave on my own terms and look for a new job. When the economy turned, via advice from Maureen Dillion, who is a career counselor at the Farmingdale Library, I started consulting because I needed to make a living. A friend—Dr. Walter Priestley—gave me a shot to help, so I was determined to make him glad, and so I gave it all I had to prove myself. Then other clients started calling me. Eventually, as our business grew and the job market was tanking, I decided this was my new path. But instead of saying “I’m Dave the marketer,” I knew I needed to make it official, so we incorporated the name Marketing Masters NY and we are about to celebrate 10 years. The wildest thing is, virtually every single client came to us, and that’s something we are really proud of. And I like helping the local businesses much better than my former career; we just have to work non-stop.
What/who inspires you?
My parents taught us to “to be passionate and work hard and make the most of what you have.” And that’s what we do, so I see it works. People who do that, who “make their own magic,” inspire me. Obviously, many talented music people I‘ve had the good fortune to meet inspire me. Our clients inspire me; we are very lucky to have great clients, and it makes me work even harder—I truly want to be part of their success. My wife Joann, who bears the brunt of all this. And again, the Mayor of Farmingdale Ralph Ekstrand, the village board and staff and the people in Farmingdale are an incredible inspiration to me. And the Observer inspires me.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is “to push ahead and do the best job you can. Always.” Even when you have a rough day and are frustrated, take a deep breath to keep pushing ahead. Stay positive, try to keep doing your best and I feel like people respond to that.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I love things that are turquoise and tropical places like Aruba. And I love gardening—I got that from my mother. Every spring, we plant these incredible sunflowers and the neighbors laugh and watch me battling the squirrels. And I love my Shih Tzu Tiger Rock Saul, the prince of Farmingdale.
