Dave McCormick was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, and raised in Bloomsburg by two lifelong educators. Growing up, Dave played football and wrestled, trimmed Christmas trees and delivered newspapers.

Dave was nominated to the United States Military Academy by a Pennsylvania Senator, becoming the first Bloomsburg student to attend West Point in decades. Dave went on to serve in the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper and was deployed to the Middle East during the First Gulf War. He received the Bronze Star for his service before retiring as a Captain.

After the Army, Dave earned his Ph.D. in international relations before moving to Pittsburgh. He worked to become the CEO of FreeMarkets, a tech startup employing hundreds in Western Pennsylvania.

In 2005, Dave was called to service again, this time as Deputy National Security Advisor and then Under Secretary of Treasury. Following the administration, Dave joined Bridgewater Associates, one of the largest, most successful investment firms in the world. He served as CEO until 2022.

He and his wife Dina have six daughters.