David Preston

About David Preston

David Preston is founder and owner of New Harbor Group, with over 30 years experience as a business strategist focusing on public policy and communications. He provides external and internal counsel to clients, specializing in crisis communications and community relations. An attorney, he is skilled at litigation support and has extensive experience in government relations at the federal, state and local level. Prior to co-founding New Harbor Group’s predecessor firm in 1992, he managed a successful re-election campaign for Governor of Rhode Island. Preston also served as Communications Director to the governor, where his experience as a journalist helped him craft effective media strategies, prepare speeches and serve as a spokesperson for the Administration. A Marine Corps veteran, Preston served with Battery “L”, 12th Marines, based in Okinawa, Japan. As Range Officer at Weapons Training Battalion in Quantico, Virginia he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal. A graduate of Suffolk University Law School, he is a member of the Rhode Island Bar. Preston taught Crisis Communications as an adjunct faculty member at Brown University’s Watson Institute and journalism at Providence College, his alma mater.Until recently Preston served on the board of Directors of the United Way of Rhode Island. He is past president of Rhode Island Meals on Wheels and has served as a director and chair of numerous other community boards. In 2019, then-Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo appointed him to serve on the state’s “Complete Count” Census Commission which achieved a successful count allowing Rhode Island to retain two U.S. House seats, despite projections to the contrary. An Eagle Scout, he served on staff at Camp Yawgoog, the second oldest Boy Scout camp in the country.A hiker, Preston has climbed to the highest point in 15 states, including all six New England states and Colorado\'s 14,440 foot Mt. Elbert, the highest point in the Rockies. He has also completed Rhode Island\'s North-South Trail and hiked the state\'s entire Atlantic coastline.

Experience

1. Founder and Owner

   New Harbor Group

   Oct 2005 — Present

Education

• Providence College

  English

  1980 — 1984

• Suffolk University Law School

  JD

  1991 — 1995