David Ham was raised in the Chicago suburb of Elgin. He studied broadcast journalism at Columbia College Chicago, with a concentration in television and later radio. He worked at one of Chicago's most noted classic rock radio stations, WXCD, as show producer for Bob Stroud's "Rock 'n' Roll Roots" radio program. After 9/11, David enlisted in the Navy and eventually moved into public affairs. He completed military journalism/public affairs studies at the Defense Information School in Fort George G. Meade, Md. He also served as mass communication specialist for the National Naval Medical Center's public affairs office. Upon completion of naval service, David became a freelance photographer for "The Courier News" and began working with the Elgin music group "The Reverends" as their manager and photographer. He is also working to begin his own photography business. In the fall of 2010, David will return to Columbia College to begin graduate studies in journalism/public affairs.