News Feature

DAVID ARDAM - Smithtown Matters’ 2012 Person of The Year

Smithtown attorney David Ardam’s 30 year commitment to “service above self” makes him our 2012 Person of the Year   

David Ardam - 2012 Person Of The Year

There are so many wonderful people doing extraordinary things these days. Every place you look there areDavid Ardam opportunities to support organizations and people whose goals are to help others. These people, whether it is offering a hand or just making life a little brighter, dedicate a good portion of their own lives to helping others.

Our 2012 Person of The Year David Ardam is one of these wonderful people.  Thirty years ago David joined Rotary and hasn’t looked back. 

As a young man growing up in the Bronx and then Rockland County, David did not imagine himself as an attorney on Long Island. He could not have imagined that he would become the ” go-to guy” for Rotary District 7260. Nevertheless, that is what happened. David’s parents were actually hoping for their son to become a doctor. After high school David attended SUNY Albany, where he realized he was not interested in college science classes. It was at SUNY Albany that he met Diane, the Diane and Dave Ardamfuture Mrs. Ardam. After his 1975 graduation he decided to pursue a law career. David attended John Marshall Law School in Chicago where he attained his J.D. Degree in 1979, the same year he was  admitted to the New York Bar.  After working on Long Island as Confidential Law Assistant to the Justices of the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department and serving as Law Clerk to the Hon. Frank D. O’Connor, David was ready to move on. He opened his own law practice and in 1986 he joined with Larry Spada and formed Spada & Ardam, PLLC. It was during this period that David met Jerry Essig, a Rotarian and Past District Governor.  

David credits Jerry with being “his greatest source of inspiration in Rotary”.

What is Rotary? Most people, when questioned about Rotary think of the wheel, Rotary’s logo. Some people know that Rotary is the organization working to eradicate polio. On Long Island many people have heard of Rotary’s  “Gift of Life” program dedicated to helping children across the globe with operable heart conditions get their life-saving surgery.  Rotary has 1.2 million volunteers  across the globe. Rotarians are involved in their community and most are business people who place a high value on ethical standards. All are working at some level to “give back” or “pay it forward” making the world a little better.  This is what David Ardam does and has done every day since 1983.

Dave Ardam with students at Commack-Kings Park Rotary Club meetingDavid Ardam joined the Commack - Kings Park Rotary Club in 1983 and almost thirty years later he is still an active member and still very passionate about Rotary’s mission.  He has held every position on the club level except treasurer. In 1993 Dave accepted the District position of Area Representative (District 7260 covers Suffolk County). It was in the 90’s that Dave developed a passion for Rotary’s Youth Exchange program. 

Rotary’s Youth Exchange program allows American students between the ages of 15 and 19 to visit other countries and learn about the different cultures and customs. The student’s live with host families and attend schools and events along with their host families.  Rotary members in the U.S. also host students who come from different parts of the globe. Exchange students are seen as teenage cultural ambassadors.  Taking in teenagers is a challenge, but the experience is rewarding and educational.  Diane and Dave Ardam embraced this program taking in five Youth Exchange students and allowing their children, Jackie and Eric, to participate in the Youth Exchange program as outbound students. David credits the Youth Exchange program for his family’s “global perspective and love of travel.”

David accepted more responsibility when he became District Governor serving a one year term in 2007 -2008. Dave With RI President Sakuji Tanaka Since then, he has been involved in all facets of Rotary education and training. The merging of two Rotary Districts  is not a simple task. There are many challenges, concerns and opinions to be considered. It is a credit to David’s skill and temperament that he serves as the Chair of the 2013 District Merger Committee for districts 7250 & 7260.

In addition to all of the above, David has participated in countless food drives, fund raisers, blood drives, pancake breakfasts, projects,etc. He is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow recipient and a faculty member of the Rotary Leadership Institute.

David Ardam - Husband, Father, Attorney, Rotarian and Smithtown Matters 2012 - Person of The Year.

David and Diane Ardam live in Commack in the house they bought in 1981. They have two adult children, Jackie and Eric, who graduated from Commack HS.  Diane is a special education teacher in Syosset and Dave has a law office on Smithtown Boulevard in Smithtown.