David Persson has been a Shelter Islander since 1980 when he and his wife of 45 years, Donna, bought their first home and spent summers here with their two children, Scott and Tracy. David and Donna now live on Little Ram Island and in Vero Beach, Florida. Tracy is a full-time Shelter Island resident, married to Bryan, a North Ferry captain.
David grew up in Manhasset, Long Island and studied journalism at Penn State University. He holds a B.A. degree in English from C.W. Post College and began a career in magazine publishing. Starting with McGraw Hill, he became publisher of various titles, including Advertising Age, Electronic Media, Broadcasting and Interior Design. In 1994, he purchased Media Ventures, Inc., a Connecticut-based provider of custom local and regional content to directory and on-line publishers. He currently serves as its CEO.
A recognized leader in trade magazine publishing, David served on numerous publishing and association boards as well as held directorships at The New Covenant House in Norwalk, Connecticut and Shelter Island’s Gardiner’s Bay Golf Club. He has also served on several library fund raising committees, including at the Port Washington Library and, most recently, the Shelter Island Public Library
