David Wilmes has over 30 years of experience in the field of early intervention with youth whose behavior puts them at risk for being criminalized, pathologized or ostracized from the critical community-based resources that promote healthy youth development.  Over that time period, he has authored numerous books, papers, curricula, and evaluation tools used by a wide range of professionals, parents, and other adults to help them increase their capacity to engage youth with challenging behaviors.

While Mr. Wilmes consults with and has worked with many treatment and correctional facilities, his most fundamental belief is that real growth and resilience primarily happens in the community and usually within the context of family, neighborhood, and school.  Therefore, in the past decade he spends most of his professional energy working with schools, libraries, recreation centers, police departments, community activists/volunteers, tutoring and mentoring groups, and other community groups.

Mr. Wilmes received his undergraduate degree from Metro State University, and received his Master of Arts degree in Human Development from St. Mary’s University in Winona, MN.