David Blanke
COO/CFO 
At SAILTHRU since June 2012
Location: Edgewater, NJ

Bio: One of my big personal mottos is “There is no wall.” That comes out of running where the general assumption that at 20 miles in a marathon your body starts to hit a wall and it’s basically psychological at that point to get to the next 6.2 miles and finish the race. I feel like walls are perception and perception is reality. We can control our own reality, so I challenge myself in ways physically and intellectually to keep knocking walls down.

Likes: I enjoy discovery and learning new things and stretch myself to learn new things mentally and physically. I’m very interested to learn more about Astronomy…I find it fascinating and it teaches me more about life here on Earth as well.

Dislikes: I don’t like insensitivity or intolerance. I’m very big on collaboration and open communication; sitting down and listening to people. I try to spend each day being cognizant that the more you learn, the less you know. When people are resistant to that and have a way of thinking where nothing can penetrate it, that bothers me.

A little known fact about me is… in High School, I was very much into the New York City Hardcore scene. There was a reunion concert I went to last weekend, it was Supertouch, Youth of Today, and Into Another.

The best part of my job is… two things. First, I love working with super intelligent, creative, and different people. I learn from them and learn where we should be heading as a company. The other part is finding solutions and putting processes in place for the day-to-day things.

Not many people know that I’m really good at… speaking Italian.

The worst job experience I’ve ever had is… at one of my early jobs. My manager was not very good at managing. She would walk by my cube every day but not say “Good Morning” or “Thank You” once, and I really remember that.

In 5 years I want to be… still here at a super successful Sailthru that has grown exponentially with a global footprint. Where we created our own market in behavioral communications. A top of the world company.

What are you looking forward to most this fall?
I am looking forward to running the NYC Marathon. I’ve been training really hard for that. I signed up for it a long time ago to support an organization called Back on My Feet, which teaches independence and self sufficiency to homeless people by using running as a tool.

How long have you been involved with Back on My Feet?
I’m actually on the Advisory Board for New York City, they launched in New York in March of this year. I helped them launch by introducing them to people at my old company, created some sponsorship opportunities and built awareness for them. I’ve been working with them for close to a year now.

If you want more information or wish to donate to David’s fundraising effort for Back on My Feet you can find more info here.

Is this your first time at a startup? What drew you to Sailthru?
I don’t consider Sailthru a startup anymore. I consider us in a high-growth stage right now, but it’s definitely the earliest stage I’ve been involved with at a company. I love to get involved at the earliest stages and be a part of the growth. I like to make sense of the structure while making sure the proper processes and visions are in place to really harness the energy of the company and send it in the right direction.