S2: E11 David Huckabee / Entrepreneur /Co-Owner KOA Distribution

What a special show we have for you today, David Huckabee. You know his family, but now get to know him. He not only is behind the scenes in many ways with his family, but also a serial entrepreneur and co-owner of Petra’s #1 Distributor in the USA: KOA Distribution. An accomplished and tenacious entrepreneur with a varied career in media, travel, real estate, the automotive industry, politics and more, David Huckabee continues to wear many hats within corporate and nonprofit spaces. He currently serves as CEO of Blue Diamond Media and Blue Diamond Travel where he’s known for braving new revenue generation paths. He also lends his expertise as a Managing Partner in KOA Distribution and Executive Director of HUCK PAC. Within the nonprofit world, David has served on several non-profit boards including The Camp Pioneer Foundation, Feed Arkansas Kids, and currently as a board member for My Faith Votes and he also serves on Centennial Bank’s Little Rock Board of Director David’s work in broadcasting started with an on-air position in high school reporting on Friday night football scores. While at Arkansas State University, (chosen for its proximity to some of the world’s best duck hunting), his voice could be heard during local drive-time radio as a DJ and voice-over artist. Taking on additional responsibility as a copywriter and event promoter set David apart at the station, preparing him for a full-time gig with Clear Channel Radio in a newly created position as the Director of Non-Traditional revenue, a role he would also fill with Archway Broadcasting and later Blue Diamond. After several years of growing revenue in the Little Rock Radio market, David excelled in the wholesale mortgage industry, working directly with community banks in Arkansas and Northern Louisiana. All while navigating the late 2000s mortgage crisis, David grew the secondary market pipeline in his territory from less than $100,000 a month to nearly $17 million dollars. With the pull of radio still in his system, David took yet another leap of faith going to run affiliate relations for his father’s (Mike Huckabee) newly formed radio company. He helped to grow the company’s affiliate number to 700+ stations across the U.S. before taking the helm as CEO. Drawing on his past experiences, he then retooled the business into a multi-media company with a wide range of media outlets, products, and monetized revenue sources. While leading the team at Blue Diamond Media, David helped found Blue Diamond Travel beginning with international tours to Israel and later adding more tours and cruises to the Mediterranean, the Baltics, and other destinations. Always game for new opportunities, David partnered with a childhood friend to start KOA Distribution specializing in automotive supplies among other products. Even with all of this on his plate, David welcomes new opportunities that keep him involved in real estate, politics, and much more. KOA has grown by leads and bounds a has been Petra’s #1 distributor for a row. David and his wife, Lauren, who is way out of his league, have four children. The family lives in West Little Rock and attends Fellowship Bible Church. David is a graduate of Arkansas State University and a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He is an Eagle Scout and a Vigil Honor Member of the Order of the Arrow. He loves hunting (especially duck), fishing, cooking (no recipes needed), frying catfish for large groups, spending time outdoors, and hanging out with his family and friends—making them laugh with his corny but hilarious jokes. No matter what he’s up to, David can almost always be found wearing a ball cap and cowboy boots. Hang tight. Get ready.