Scouting out his happy medium

David Potter can make people fly. As a freelance set designer, Potter has become successful in the movie industry, but his most prized accomplishment is his influence on local youth.

The 53-year-old father of three has lived in Glendale for 18 years and has contributed to the city by joining the Glendale Presbyterian Church as an elder, volunteering to build sets in a youth theater, contributing to the Parent Teacher Assn. and as a Boy Scout.

What organizations are you involved with?

I’m on the board of directors for “Stepping Stone Players.” Our mission there is to do theater shows with a lot of kids and youth. I came on in the second year. They hired me to do their set on “Peter Pan.” [Stepping Stone Players] started with seven moms that got tired of seeing their children lip-syncing to Britney Spears. They wanted them to learn real theater. It’s all volunteers. I teach them how to paint and build sets. We do shows at Hoover High School. I just received the Silver Beaver [from the Boy Scouts]. It’s highest award the local area can give in council.

How many badges do you have?

I’m an Eagle Scout. I received the District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver, Cubs Master Award. I’ve got a whole drawer of awards. I’ve been honored by the PTA too, but the bottom line is the kids.

What has influenced you to be active in the community and with youth?

I had some great adults that influenced me through scouting back in Ohio. When I was 15 years old, I was in charge of feeding 350 people three meals a day at Scouts as a dining hall director. Part of what you should learn in scouting is that you should give back to the kids. I was a delegate to National Explorer’s Congress in 1973. Through national events like that, it made me very successful today.

What is your profession?

I am a freelance set decorator for movies and shows. I did “Transformers,” “Fisher King,” “Batman and Robin,” “Sneakers,” “Girl, Interrupted,” “In the Line of Fire,” “Nixon” and more. My success is from work ethics and through a lot of adults mentioning me when I was young.

What are the youth lacking in work ethics?