Posted: October 11, 2011

David Conte, 39

owner, conte's bicycle & fitness

At work

As owner of Conte's Bicycle and Fitness, I run the day-to-day operations for multiple locations from Hampton Roads to Richmond. I started in the bike shop when I was 10 years old learning how to fix bicycles, then selling bicycles before I could even look over the counter and then all the behind-the-scenes schooling of the hard-knock life of the bicycle business. At the age of 18, I became vice president of the company, once my father retired, and became president shortly after that. I started acquiring commercial real estate with my brother Charles Conte in 1995 and today we hold several multimillion dollar properties under the company Conte Acquisitions LLC.

Home and family

My wife Angela, my son David Luca and my daughter Christiana Carmella. Two dogs, Jingles and Lola.

Volunteer activities

Star of the Sea Catholic School; work with more than 50 organizations to raise funds through donations of bicycles and time.

Proudest work accomplishment

Taking over the family business and growing it to the size and reputation that the Conte's name has in the Hampton Roads market today.

Balancing time

I balance my time through working smarter and not harder. I try to keep my mind focused when I am at work on work, and when I am home, on home. I still have to work on the home part.

Downtime

I like to ride my bike and watch my kids play sports and do their theater activities.

Professional goal in five years

I would like to have Conte's Bike Shop a household name in markets other than Hampton Roads. I want to have more than 50 locations up and down the East Coast.

Biggest success factor

The biggest factor in my success has been the people I surround myself with every day. My wife of 17 years is my biggest supporter. Without her, none of my personal success would have been accomplished. Also, losing my parents at an early age has made me a stronger person, both physically and emotionally.

The one thing I'd change about Hampton Roads

To have an aggressive plan to create bike lanes so that people could commute easier to work and play. Let's take a page from New York and Washington, D.C.

Dream dinner guest list

My mother and father, Ronald Reagan, Frank Sinatra, the Pope.

What gets under your skin?

Rude people.