Dave was convinced that an advanced degree would help him better compete for a starting position to begin his career. So, he attended Northern Illinois University and obtained a Master’s Degree in Mathematics. He began his career by joining IBM in the Chicago area in software development.
After six months, IBM gave Dave military leave to fulfill his military obligation. Dave was stationed at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York as a physical education instructor and assistant gymnastics coach. Upon completing his 2 years of military service, Dave returned to IBM in software development but located in Jacksonville, Florida.
Upon being exposed to the world of marketing, Dave altered his career path to marketing and entered marketing management after being promoted to Atlanta, Georgia. He then went between line and staff management and retired after 30 years as a Business Unit Executive.
Dave understood that education was the way out of poverty, and he committed his life to helping others understand the transformative power of great coaching, life and career plans, milestone goals, and hard work.
As a young man, Dave Thillen knew the hardships of being poor. Growing up as the youngest child of five and never knowing his father, Dave was raised by a hardworking mom in the inner-city of Chicago. Mom having just an 8th grade education made it challenging to provide for her young family. Dave was the only child in the family to graduate from high school.
Life wasn’t always easy. Even so, the lessons Dave learned in his early years about perseverance, courage, and dreams became the bedrock for a very bright future.
Propelled by a desire to better his circumstances, Dave dedicated himself to his schoolwork, made professional connections, met with mentors, and eventually attended Wheaton College. There, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and was co-captain of the gymnastics team.
Dave was convinced that an advanced degree would help him better compete for a starting position to begin his career. So, he attended Northern Illinois University and obtained a Master’s Degree in Mathematics. He began his career by joining IBM in the Chicago area in software development.
After six months, IBM gave Dave military leave to fulfill his military obligation. Dave was stationed at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York as a physical education instructor and assistant gymnastics coach. Upon completing his 2 years of military service, Dave returned to IBM in software development but located in Jacksonville, Florida.
Upon being exposed to the world of marketing, Dave altered his career path to marketing and entered marketing management after being promoted to Atlanta, Georgia. He then went between line and staff management and retired after 30 years as a Business Unit Executive.
Dave understood that education was the way out of poverty, and he committed his life to helping others understand the transformative power of great coaching, life and career plans, milestone goals, and hard work.
Growing Up Poor, Rising through Education
As a young man, Dave Thillen knew the hardships of being poor. Growing up as the youngest child of five and never knowing his father, Dave was raised by a hardworking mom in the inner-city of Chicago. Mom having just an 8th grade education and her first child at age 15, made it challenging to provide for her young family. Dave was the only child in the family to graduate from high school.
Life wasn’t always easy. Even so, the lessons Dave learned in his early years about perseverance, courage, and dreams became the bedrock for a very bright future.
Propelled by a desire to better his circumstances, Dave dedicated himself to his schoolwork, made professional connections, met with mentors, and eventually attended Wheaton College. There, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and was co-captain of the gymnastics team.
Our Foundation Timeline
Today the Thillen Education Foundation is engaged in an innovative and collaborative effort to prepare young people to find success in a rapidly changing world. Greene College & Career Academy students, from freshman to senior classes, are on board and participating within a mentored career planning process. All students—not just the top 2 or 3, or top 10%—will have the opportunity to graduate with a career goal in view, a plan to reach it in place, and the ability to earn financial assistance to get started. This process has been over 20 years in the making.
First GCCA graduating class
2022
Post COVID-19 growth
2021
Establishing a Foundation of Financial Assistance
2020
Volunteer Coaches are trained in Dave’s Education Planning Process
2018
Greene College & Career Academy is formed. CEO, John Ellenberg, and Dave form partnership.
2017
GCHS Principal & teachers support Dave’s planning process
2016
92% of H4H high school students graduate, 81% continue to college, technical college or the military.
2014
One on One Success: The first college graduate from a Habitat Home.
2012
First Greene County High School graduate from a Habitat home
2005
Creating individual plans for the students in a Habitat Home.
2003
Computer & age appropriate software in every new home.
2002
Families need more than a house. Dave and Elaine organize the community to furnish the new home. The Habitat Restore is opened in Greensboro, GA.
2001
Dave Thillen retires from IBM, volunteers to build homes for Habitat for humanity.
1998
Second graduated class
2023
Foundation History
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