About

“Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

That’s what I do. Every day. At the end of the day I hope I make this a better journey for all us.

My name is David J. Neff. I help Non Profits and people for a living. I do that with Ridgewood Associates and Lights.Camera. Help. I would say that I am a Teacher, Speaker, Blogger, Network Weaver, and Social Media Scientist. To pay the bills and have more of them I am the founder of my own non profit called Lights.Camera. Help. (LCH). And I am a Senior Digital Strategist over at Ridgewood Associates.

For over 9 years I worked at the American Cancer Society (ACS) where I directed all Web and Interactive strategies and online properties for 6 states. At ACS  my department managed the Division’s eRevenue strategy, Social Networking/Media strategy, Online Community strategy, Film and PSA Production, and all online properties for the High Plains Division.

While I was at the ACS I was lucky enough to be a past twice recipient of a Futuring and Innovations grant, which I used to create C-Tools and SharingHope.TV. C-Tools was the first PDA software tool for the prevention of cancer ever developed by the American Cancer Society.While SharingHope.TV is the non-profit world’s first ever totally user-generated content Web Site.

I am also responsible for helping start The Frozen Pea Fund to fight Breast Cancer and a co-founder of the successful Austin Tweetups : Social Media for Social Good. I am also a published author with articles in PRSA Tatics and the new 2010 version of the book People to People Fundraising.

I was also humbled to be named one of the Top 20 Social Media People in the state of Texas by the Austin American Statesman in 2009. The American Marketing Association recently awarded me the Non Profit Social Media Marketer of the Year in 2009.

I earned my BS in Public Relations from the University of Texas in 2000 with a minor in Business from the McCombs School of Business. I earned my Certified Internet Webmaster certification in 2003.

I currently live in Austin, TX and enjoy filmmaking, hosting a TV show, live music, photography, halloween, and spending time with my dogs and my friends.