David M. Howitt - co-chair Center for Business Law and Innovation
Founder
The Meriwether Group
Class Year: 1994
David M. Howitt ’94 is an entrepreneur, business advisor, and public advocate for integrated approaches to corporate and personal success. In 2004 David founded The Meriwether Group, a boutique private equity, business accelerator, and advisory firm that supports many recognizable consumer brands. Both he and the firm are committed to transforming the way human values are expressed through business.
David and The Meriwether Group provide strategic vision and support to entrepreneurs by means of a unique combination of ethos and delivery system, while also funding newer enterprises that are innovative and consumer-oriented. Meriwether has provided financial expertise and operational guidance to companies including Stumptown Coffee, Pendleton, adidas, Voodoo Doughnut, Salomon, Yogitoes, Klim, Bloch, Dave’s Killer Bread, ABC Carpet & Home, and Living Harvest. Prior to founding The Meriwether Group, David was the Director of Licensing and Business Development for adidas America, where he oversaw and grew a $250 million business unit. During his nine years at adidas, David put into practice “Intuitive Analytics,” a whole-brain methodology that underlies his characteristic philosophy of business advising. With his wife Heather, David co-founded the tea brand Oregon Chai in 1994. The brand was so successful in its first six years that it was purchased by Kelly Foods. David began his legal career as a Deputy District Attorney in Multnomah County, and then becoming an Associate at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt.
A great deal of David’s community involvement concerns the natural environment. He has been Chair of the Board for the Pacific Environmental Center since 2009, and a member of the Board of Advisors for Oregon Trout since 2004. He also spent two years each on the Boards of Directors of the Portland Parks Commission and Waterwatch of Oregon. In 2014 David published Heed Your Call: Integrating Myth, Science, Spirituality, and Business, and he is a popular public speaker.
David studied political science and philosophy at Denison University in Ohio, graduating with a BA (1990). He earned his JD from Lewis & Clark Law School (1994). David has served on the Board of Visitors since 2015.