David Carpenter on Secret Service Deputy Director William J. Callahan and recent change in command at Secret Service ~
"It is a good sign. He was actually. . . just been appointed. He was Deputy Director prior to . . . the election. When the former, Joe Clancy, the former Director, retired, or left, he was a natural to keep continue running the agency. That continuity is critical. It's critical to everything."
David Carpenter (right), with Andy Ockershausen (left) in-studio
A Ockershausen: This is Our Town. I'm so pleased with our next guest, a man I've known for over 30 years. He's the type of guy that makes you feel real safe. He's the epitome of security. We invited him to Our Town because he can give us some personal insight on what it takes to have the kind of confidence to be a special agent in charge of the Presidential Protective Division of the US Secret Service.
Dave Carpenter went on to serve as former ambassador and assistant secretary of state and then was hired as vice president of Global Security of PepsiCo. Dave Carpenter, you're part of Our Town. I'm so glad you decided to come back.
David Carpenter: Andy, I can't tell you what an honor and a privilege it is to be here. One, it's great to see you. Two, just to be a part of this is special to me, thank you.
A Ockershausen: Our Town is something that Janice created because we lost track of so many people, like Dave Carpenter. We didn't know you were back here until Jim Wells, who shall remain anonymous-
David Carpenter: Yes, please.
A Ockershausen: ... If we can do that. I don't know how we do that.
David Carpenter: I beg you.
A Ockershausen: Dave, I found out so much about you. You're from the Midwest. What happened in your background in growing up that led you to the Secret Service?
David Carpenter: It's like anybody else, it's a combination of being in the right place at the right time, a little bit of luck, and some networking with actually friends of my family. I'm originally from Denver, Colorado.
A Ockershausen: Is that were you were born in Denver?
David Carpenter: I was born in St. Louis-
A Ockershausen: Wow.
David Carpenter: ... When my parents were there watching a Cardinals baseball game.
A Ockershausen: This is a great story.
David Carpenter: At the seventh inning stretch, my mom decided it was time for me to arrive. They whisk her off to the hospital. I'm now, on my place of birth, is St. Louis, Missouri.
A Ockershausen: What year was that, David?
David Carpenter: 1947.
A Ockershausen: Wow, and the war is over and you're almost a war baby, but you did miss that.
David Carpenter: Just missed that.
A Ockershausen: Your dad was quite involved in Oklahoma, was he not, with Phillips?
David Carpenter: Yeah, my father was a ... Actually, he's from Arkansas originally. He was-
A Ockershausen: You're from all over aren't you?
David Carpenter: We're from everywhere. They're still trying to figure out exactly our lineage. He was from Arkansas. He went to a school that had a total of eight boys in the school. They won the state basketball championship three years running.
A Ockershausen: Of Arkansas state?
David Carpenter: In Arkansas, based on, solely on him. First of all he was a big man. He was about six eight. This was in high school. Two, he was just one of those gifted athletes.
A Ockershausen: He could do everything.
David Carpenter: He could do everything. He went on to play for ... First of all, he's in the Arkansas Hall of Fame. He was inducted at the same time with Joe Garagiolo and Bear Bryant.
A Ockershausen: Oh, my.
David Carpenter: Which was a pretty good group to be sitting at the head table with. Went on to play with Phillips 66. Which was the AAU Powerhouse.
