David Meldrum-Taylor, Director of Research, Reverse Logistics Association

Moderator - Reverse Logistics Association Seminar

David has more than 35 years of experience in high-tech electronics and telecommunications, and has held professional and management positions in systems engineering, sales, marketing, product and program management, business development and general management.

David’s relationship with the Reverse Logistics industry began in 1997 when he joined Magnetic Data Technologies, LLC, as a Program Manager responsible for several major international accounts. Subsequently David moved into the role of Director of Marketing Services for MDT, establishing marketing programs, developing collateral materials and sales tools, designing and managing the implementation of a corporate web site, the assessment of several specialist companies for acquisition and market research into new business opportunities.

Following the acquisition of MDT by Solectron in 2002, David moved to Teleplan International as Director of Marketing Services for the Americas region. His responsibilities here were broadly similar to those at MDT but with even greater emphasis on proposal generation and pricing, interfacing with major account customers on proposals and contracts, developing marketing plans, identifying industry opportunities and selecting and managing trade shows and exhibits.

David resigned from Teleplan in 2006 and joined Solectron Global Services as Director of Marketing Services for the Americas, responsible for the quotation process and tactical marketing. During his time with Solectron David managed the quote team, selected and managed trade shows and exhibits, supported the executive management team with presentations and other materials for customer, internal and public events and worked closely with the corporate marketing on collateral materials, press releases and articles.

David started his career with IBM in the United Kingdom in business systems design, moved into various staff positions and then into systems sales, working throughout Europe and in the international support center near Nice, France. Subsequently, David emigrated to Alberta, Canada and joined Xerox Canada to provide technical marketing support to that company’s systems division. Following Xerox, he held various senior staff positions at Mitel Corporation in Kanata, Ontario working with the high end digital switch product line. After four years with Mitel, David had the opportunity to join a couple of start-up companies in the field of both local and wide area network systems. He spent the following year learning a lot about the nature of start-ups while developing marketing plans and product strategy for these entities. During this period, he was approached by Digital Sound Corporation to join their expanding team in southern California. As Director of International Marketing, David was charged with developing the European market. During that time he set up, and managed, the DSC European organization to support the sales activities with both sales and technical staff.

David was born and educated in England and holds both British (EU) and Canadian citizenship. He has three adult children, a son and two daughters (plus one grandson – so far), and lives in Santa Barbara, California with his wife Barbara. David possesses a very British sense of humor, is a member of Mensa, and when not working enjoys home improvement activities, cycling, music, cooking (and eating) and the delights of wine and craft beers.