David Klein (‘93) brings a lot to the table. He boasts a proven track-record of successful entrepreneurship, a commitment to spreading the word about the iSchool and to fundraise through his extensive network, but most importantly he maintains a genuine love of Syracuse University and shares a long rich history between the school and his family. He is excited to get started and to contribute more directly to the ongoing health and prestige of the iSchool.
Klein was a member of one of the first graduating classes of the Information Science and Technology (IST) undergrad programs at the precursor to the iSchool, and even though he came from a construction background, and planned to stay in that industry, he knew the value of the information and technology education he now had in his toolbox. He has been an early-adopter of useful new technologies in his field, and his companies are better for it. Klein has mastered the working skills needed to provide the services his companies offer, and in turn earning the trust of his sizable workforce, but he has also executed on the entrepreneurial skills required to grow businesses by delivering on the merits of quality and relevancy.
About six months after graduating Klein started his first company, and the flagship of his entrepreneurial career, Greenwood Industries. This company offers services in commercial roofing, waterproofing, and masonry restoration– or any other part of a building envelope restoration and maintenance. Based in Worcester, MA, he has grown the business to 11 offices in 5 states, and over 900 employees. In 2020 Greenwood Industries took on the enormous project of replacing the roof on the JMA Wireless Dome on the university campus. Then in 2023 he won the Cuse 50 award which is “Syracuse University’s annual award program dedicated to celebrating the success of Orange business leaders across the globe. The program recognizes the 50 fastest-growing businesses owned or led by Syracuse alumni.”
As a result of a strategic merger with a waterproofing and construction company in Phoenix, Klein is also the CEO of TWC Phoenix. In the northeast, the two companies have become industry leaders in custom building envelope solutions– including a #6 ranking in Engineering News-Record Roofing Contractors list. Taking his leadership roles seriously, he is always finding new ways to elevate his businesses to the next level.
When Klein reflects on his takeaways from his IST program back in the early 90s, he says, “It allowed me to think about what’s going to happen and not what is happening. Which has served me well. A lot of people think construction isn’t necessarily technology driven or forward thinking, but exactly the opposite is true. My company has always been quick to embrace new technologies, and a big part of that was because of my background with the iSchool.” He emphasizes the business insights he gained from his education along with the technical skills. The mindset to be forward-thinking and to predict where the industry is going to go next has allowed Klein to get ahead of some trends and optimize his position in the markets he serves.
Klein met his wife Elizabeth (‘93) while attending Syracuse University, and now their eldest son is keeping The Orange legacy alive as a current student at Newhouse. In 2020 Klein and his wife established the George Klein Endowed Scholarship in memory of his father– a man who could always “make something out of nothing”. This scholarship is awarded to deserving students from Worcester and the surrounding area, to financially help them attend Syracuse University. Looking forward to his role ahead, he says, “I love the iSchool and it means a lot to me to be able to give back. I’m excited to work with Jeff [Hemsley, Interim Dean of the iSchool] and his team to help elevate the iSchool and get it the recognition it deserves.”