David J. Carlson MS, CAIA

David J. Carlson was born & raised on the East Side of St. Paul, graduating from Johnson High School. After graduation, David attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD) where he studied political science & history. While at UMD in 2002, David would join the Marine Corps Officer Program. In 2000 David was honored to work for Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura, & 2002 also for Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer. Fall 2002, David studied abroad in the U.K. at Lancaster University, focusing on foreign policy. David returned from the UK early 2003, continuing at UMD. As the war in Iraq intensified, David left Duluth as a junior & enlisted in the Marine infantry August 2003.

David went on to serve 3 combat tours with Personal Security Detail (PSD) for Commanding Generals of 1st Marine Division & 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (IMEF). Upon his Honorable Discharge in 2007, Sergeant Carlson transferred & completed his degree at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 2010 with a BA in Political Science. In 2008 David was honored to be an Horatio Alger Distinguished American Scholar. While at the U, David become a candidate for the Minnesota State House in 2008.

In 2010, David founded Blue Diamond Strategies, specializing in security & EB-5 program. In 2012 & 2014, David challenged for GOP nomination for U.S. Senate, winning 2 congressional districts & receiving 44,000 votes from around Minnesota. In 2013 David received his MS in Security Strategies & Technologies (MSST) also at the U of M. Also in 2013, David completed a Graduate Certificate from the Entrepreneurial Bootcamp for Veterans Program (EBV) at Florida State University - College of Business. In 2016 David graduated with dual Graduate Certificates in Advanced International Affairs with an emphasis in Intelligence, as well as Advanced International Affairs with emphasis in Counterterroism at Texas A&M University - Bush School of Government and Public Service.