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David McNamee
ALLi Author Member
Location: United States of America
Genres: Academic, Biography, Business, General Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Espionage, Historical Fiction, Thriller
Dr. David McNamee helps leaders lead when it matters most—under pressure, in uncertainty, and in service to others. A professor, author, and former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer, he brings decades of real-world experience to developing ethical, resilient leaders across military, nonprofit, and global communities.
The path to leadership didn’t begin in a classroom.
It began in uniform.
Before stepping into higher education, David served as a senior intelligence systems officer in the U.S. Air Force, with a career that stretched from the Vietnam era through Desert Storm. Those years shaped his understanding of leadership in its most consequential form—where decisions carry weight, uncertainty is constant, and trust is everything.
Today, he carries those lessons into the classroom as a Professor of Leadership in the MS in Leadership program at the University of Arkansas Grantham. There, he works primarily with mid-career professionals, many of whom are in the military, law enforcement, and emergency services, helping them translate leadership theory into practical action.
But his work doesn’t stop at the classroom door.
David’s influence extends globally through his roles as international faculty with Jesuit Worldwide Learning and as a Senior Fellow with Co-Serve International, where he supports the development of servant leaders across diverse cultures, faith traditions, and lived experiences. His approach emphasizes common ground, focusing on the universal principles of leadership that transcend ideology and bring people together in meaningful service.
As an author, David writes at the intersection of leadership, ethics, and lived experience. His books on leadership and servant leadership are grounded in practice, not abstraction, written for those who are doing the work, not just studying it. He is also the author of a historical fiction thriller, reflecting his belief that stories often carry leadership lessons more powerfully than theory alone.
He is a Featured Contributor at BizCat360 and an Author Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors, continuing to expand his reach through writing that is both thoughtful and accessible.
Outside of his professional work, David lives the balance he often encourages in others. He competes in sprint triathlons, enjoys making (in his words) “passable wine,” and occasionally picks up the guitar. He is also an active member of Rotary International, staying connected to service at the community level.
At the center of it all is family. David has been married to his wife — a fellow U.S. Air Force veteran — for more than 4 decades and is a proud father of 2 sons and a grateful grandfather to 3 granddaughters.
For David, leadership has never been about position. It’s about responsibility, service, and the quiet, consistent work of helping others grow.
David McNamee's books
Echoes of the Gulf
Set in 1936, Echoes of the Gulf introduces readers to George Kovac, a man caught between two worlds. By day, he works among the polished marble floors and rigid order of the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. By night, he still carries the instincts and scars of his past life in the “dirt work” of East Harlem’s streets. What sets George apart is a peculiar gift: an uncanny ability to see patterns others overlook. When that gift reveals the outlines of a clandestine Nazi operation known as Operation Blue Marlin, George is pulled into a shadow war long before America officially enters World War II. Suddenly, the stakes are no longer personal. They are global. From the humid, watchful docks of Havana to whispered meetings in hotel corridors, George navigates a world of coded messages, false identities, and deadly loyalties. His pursuit of the Blue Marlin culminates in a...
Elevating Education: A Servant Leadership Approach for Online Educators
Elevate Your Teaching, Empower Your Students! Step into a dynamic approach to education with Elevating Education: A Servant Leadership Approach for Online Educators. This groundbreaking guide redefines what it means to lead in a virtual classroom, inspiring educators to center their leadership around the needs of their students. Designed for high school and college/university educators, as well as instructional coaches, this book introduces the principles of servant leadership. It adapts them to the unique challenges of online learning environments. You'll discover practical tools and strategies to create a supportive, engaging, and student-driven atmosphere that fosters growth and learning, not just for your students, but for yourself as an educator. Through compelling insights and real-world examples, Elevating Education illustrates how servant leadership can transform classroom interactions and the wider culture of education. By putting students first, you’ll unlock their potential and build a thriving, inclusive learning community. Whether you're new to...
Servant Leadership in Action: Practical Steps for Police Commanders
This book is a practical guide for law enforcement leaders who want to build trust, improve morale, and foster ethical decision-making within their teams. Drawing on the principles of servant leadership, this book provides concrete strategies and real-world examples to help police commanders create a more positive and effective work environment. Readers will learn how to: Cultivate a strong ethical foundation Empower officers to serve the community Build trust within their teams Lead through stress and crisis Transform organizational culture Bridge the gap between law enforcement and communities With its actionable insights and practical exercises, Servant Leadership in Action is an essential resource for any police commander seeking to make a lasting impact on their department and community.
Servant Leadership: Lessons for Middle School Students - Second Edition
Education is changing—and leadership education must change with it. Servant Leadership: Lessons for Middle School Students, Second Edition expands upon the original edition that influenced teacher certification and leadership training programs worldwide. This updated guide helps educators, administrators, and instructional coaches teach servant leadership—the model of leading through service, empathy, and integrity. Even though middle school students may not hold formal leadership titles, they shape their schools daily through peer influence, collaboration, and ethical decision-making. Designed for classroom use, advisory programs, and leadership development, this edition provides: Practical teaching strategies to integrate servant leadership into daily instruction Interactive activities and discussion prompts for middle school learners Real-world examples and case studies for teachers and administrators Reflection exercises to help educators strengthen their own leadership by serving first By empowering students to lead through service, educators also rediscover the heart of true leadership. Because the best leaders don’t command—they inspire, serve,...