Country Club Living - Palm Beach North - March 2026

8 C O U N T R Y C L U B L I V I N G - PA L M B E A C H N O R T H | M A R C H 2 0 2 6 Cover Feature – By Hugo Balta - - Photos by Neil Cohen Photography - D avid Nevins spent most of his life as a successful businessman in Pennsylvania, observing politics from afar. He voted and stayed informed but didn’t get involved. That changed in 2010, when, at 63, he grew increasingly worried about the country’s direction. Rising incivility, deepening partisanship, and gridlock that blocked even basic solutions left him, as he put it, “frustrated and deeply concerned about the direction of our democracy.” That frustration soon became a sense of purpose. Nevins discovered a growing network of bipartisan groups working to support healthy self‑governance in America— organizations focused on dialogue, collaboration, and the belief that democracy requires more than blaming others for our problems. As he often says, “I don’t mind partisanship. But I want a government that can get something done.” What began as casual volunteering became his passion: helping build a political culture rooted in civility, critical thinking, and shared responsibility. Nevins now lives with his wife, Catherine, in Mirasol in Palm Beach Gardens, where his so‑called retirement has evolved into a demanding, purpose‑driven commitment to civic renewal. A Businessman Steps into the Civic Arena Nevins brought to this work a business‑leader mindset—practical, solutions‑oriented, and results-focused. He was struck by how little space American politics left for reflection or genuine deliberation. “There is no time for reflection anymore— no discussion of ideas,” he said. “Citizens are hungry for problem-solving dialogue, but the system is not set up to encourage thoughtfulness.” He believed then, as he believes now, that the country must demand a higher standard from both elected officials and citizens. Leaders, he argues, must model the behavior they hope to inspire. “To lead effectively, great leaders must understand that, in the end, they need to know when to compromise,” he said. “Our elected officials must model behavior if they are to be the leaders our nation needs so badly.” His work with bipartisan groups soon grew into a deeper commitment: preparing the next generation to lead in new ways. PROFILES OF LEADERSHIP RENEWAL OF AMERICAN CIVIC LIFE - INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION David L. Nevins