Meet Dave Soto.
The Board Chair of The Sedona Fire District, Dave is a retired Fire Captain from the Los Angeles City Fire Department. His career spans 35 years from firefighting through management. He is the past president of the Broken Arrow Civic Improvement Association serving three consecutive terms, a current member of the YCSO Verde Valley Search and Rescue Posse, a committee member of the SFD 9/11 Memorial Plaza building project, and a member of the Greater Verde Valley Emergency Services – Shared Services Committee.
He’s happily married for 42 years to his high school sweetheart, Virginia, and they have three grown-up children. He has four grandchildren, who all live in Los Angeles.
Q: Can you tell us about what you do, why you do it and what you love about it?
A: When I first moved to Sedona, I was retired, and I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do. At first, I started to do some artwork. I have never have taken any formal classes, but a friend of mine who lives in the neighborhood saw some of the work I did and asked if I would show it in her gallery. I did, and it was a big hit! But that is just one aspect of what I wanted to do. I got involved with the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office in Search and Rescue. At the same time, I kept a close eye on the fire district here in Sedona. Five years ago, I joined the Board of Directors, and now I am the Board Chair. It was perfect for me since I spent 35 years with the Los Angeles City Fire Department going from Fire Fighter to Fire Code Enforcement Inspector and promoted to Fire Captain. I retired in 2012.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Sedona, and what do you love there?
A: I have several favorites, but it depends on what time it is. It seems though the longer we’re here, and more businesses open, we always have a new favorite. My wife is a great cook, but we find ourselves going out to eat if we have company or she enjoys cooking for them. I like the Hudson’s pork chop with an egg on top, that’s the best. But we also enjoy Cucina Rustica in the Village, PJ’s, and if we are in the mood for something light but not too heavy, we go to Pisa Lisa. We like Steakhouse 89, especially for the atmosphere, and if I’m in the mood for Italian food, I go to Gerardo’s. Sound Bites lobster nachos are pretty good, and we enjoy their Wine on Wednesdays.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Sedona?
A: We bought a piece of property in 2003, and started building our home in 2010. We used it for a vacation home at first and moved in 2011. I was still commuting to Los Angeles, two to three times a month. I did that for a year, and then I retired and stayed here full time.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: We didn’t do a lot of traveling. We drove by car everywhere and didn’t fly much. I did it in my later adult years especially when I retired. We have been to a few places and one that I enjoyed the most would be Italy, I enjoyed the countryside, the lifestyle, the food, drink, and the people. There’s a lot in the USA that I want to see, and it’s so vast and unique.
Q: What is your favorite movie, OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theatre?
A: Top Gun, it’s pure entertainment. I could relate to some of the things that the character goes through, and he works hard for what he has.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
A: I genuinely believe that if you ever have the inkling to do something, do it! So many times, people are afraid but should give it a shot.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: As far as art is related, I’d like to work more with pottery because it’s hands-on. I want to make my own wheel. And in the back in my mind, I always wanted to go into the military- it is one of the things that I regret not doing.
Q: What is your favorite music/ three bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: I’m 62 years old, and we grew up listening to 60’s music. When we were young, my mom loved Johnny Mathis. But in 2000 or so, country music came into picture, and my sister listened to that. I tend to like a little bit to rap because I like Eminem, and he has a story to tell. But country is probably the music I like the most.
Q: Choosing anyone dead or alive who would you love to have lunch?
A: I was always a local team fan, and at the time, I grew up watching Roman Gabriel with the Rams, and I love that guy. I would also like to meet with John Hadl from San Diego who also played football with the Rams. I would love to sit down and talk with him to find out what’s he all about. I was the eldest of all the kids in my family, and one person closest to me would be my uncle. He went to the Marine Corps, during the ’60s and eventually went into the Coast Guard. He raised his family on the East Coast, but we always had a great time talking. I would like to have another chance to speak with him since he’s gone.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do in Sedona?
A: I have a jeep, and I love going out on the back roads, and having the ability to go anywhere is fantastic.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five or ten years?
A: My wife and I have a five-year window living in a particular area, and when those five years were up, we gave it another five years. We’re now on our third five-year window. But if everything is going well and our health is good, then there’s no reason to leave. But honestly, I don’t know where I see myself in five years, but I think I’d like to own a little bit more land but still be in proximity to Sedona.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: I don’t have any secrets to tell you. I am a law-abiding person. I work within a box, and I try to make things and people better. Also, I am proud of what I accomplished, and I’m proud of my family.
Q: What three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: Home is where you rest your head on your pillow. Every home has memories you take and pictures you keep. I still call San Pedro home because it is where I had my most memories. And where I’m at right now is home to me also because I have a lot of friends that I value a lot.
Q: If you could have a full-time staff member, whom would you choose? (Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny)?
A: A Cook. I take care of the physical structure and outside, and my wife takes care of the inside and cooking. When she’s not around, my whole world falls apart. So, I would have to say a good Chef that could come half as close as what my wife could do.
From the interview with Jonelle Klein.
