Great news! Dave Vance has joined FamilyTreeDNA as the Senior VP and General Manager of the FamilyTreeDNA products.
I’ve known Dave for several years as a fellow genetic genealogist, as a fellow group project administrator, and as a fellow speaker at events.
Dave’s interest in genealogy began about the same time as his 30-year career with IBM – a choice that eventually led him to test through the Genographic Project back in 2005. IBM was one of the Genographic partners. That was a fortuitous, life-changing intersection of events for many, Dave included – opening the door to revelations genealogists could only dream about before.
Dave retired about 18 months ago and has since been quite busy focusing on his passion – genetic genealogy. He told me that there was one, and only one, position that even MIGHT have lured him out of retirement – and this was it. An opportunity to make a difference, maybe even a paradigm shift in the field he loves.
Dave certainly has all of his ducks in a row and knows exactly what he’s doing!
Dave’s book, The Genealogists Guide to Y-DNA Testing for Genetic Genealogy explains Y-DNA testing, soup to nuts. I guess it won’t come as a surprise, then, that David is the administrator of the Vance surname project at FamilyTreeDNA.
Dave has recently been the editor of the Journal of Genetic Genealogy for ISOGG, and published the book, The Genealogist’s Guide to Y-DNA Testing for Genetic Genealogy.
Most recently I saw Dave at the East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference where he delivered the keynote, as well as other sessions and a joined a group of genetic genealogists for a panel discussion.
As if this isn’t enough, Dave has a YouTube Channel called “Dave Vance Genetic Genealogy Videos,” here.
Dave has also written a Y-DNA tool, SAPP, which several of his videos explain.
When does this man sleep?
For those of you who don’t know Dave, I’m sure you’ll be seeing and hearing from him soon – at RootsTech and at FamilyTreeDNA events.
I can think of few people in this industry with just the right mix of genealogist, tech geek, project management experience, and ambassador to fulfill this role and propel FamilyTreeDNA to the next level.
Actually, I can only think of one, and thankfully, he’s accepted the position, along with the inherent challenges. I’m confident that Dave knows what needs to happen and how to get it done.
Congratulations, Dave – and congratulations to our collective family of genetic genealogists, too, because we now have one of our own at the head of the table. Pedal to the metal! Let’s GO!!!
FamilyTreeDNA made a wonderful selection.
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Roberta, I totally agree with you! Thanks for highlighting some of Dave Vance’s many talents, for those who may not know him. I got to know him a few years ago when he was working on the 2nd edition of his excellent Y-DNA Guide. I’m excited to see how his leadership will transform FTDNA, making what is already a wonderful resource, even more useful for the growing ranks of citizen-scientist genetic genealogists! Let’s all give him our full support in his new venture.
I don’t know Dave, but I’ve recently read his book (2nd edition), and it is excellent. As a result, I’ve started to work with his SAPP tool in my own research. As a fan of FTDNA, I was happy to see them hire him. I hope he can help them avoid the pitfalls of a certain competitor, who shall remain nameless.
Thank you and Dave, I just wish I had an involved legacy to inherit my stuff when I’m gone. I’ve lost touch with elder genealogists and suppose that’s the end of their lines. Losing their work is sad. I wish there was more we could do to protect what we have.
Now if Dave Vance could make an offer to buy the struggling 23andme company in the name of FamilyTreeDNA, it would be amazing!