In recognition of the recent passing of our revered Managing Director David Gary Wheeler.
Dave was very much a visionary leader who played a pivotal role in shaping our company’s journey and successes. Having worked alongside the current leadership team since the 90’s, all at RBC feel privileged to have played a part in Daves journey.
Our journey began in 1975 with the establishment of the Gestetner Nashua Dealership in Brisbane by Geoff Layton. Through the years, the company evolved, rebranding to Nashuatec in 1994 and later merging with Inchcape in 1995 where Dave was the most successful Sales manager in the country, this success laid the groundwork for what was to come.
Dave was very much a visionary leader who played a pivotal role in shaping our company’s journey and successes.
Daves journey started with RBC (Nashua at the time) and one of the many successes was building one of the best sales teams in the country. Dave went on to become his mentor, Pete McCluskey’s replacement as Managing Director in 2010, marking a transformative period for our company. Under his leadership, we witnessed significant growth and achieved numerous milestones that have defined who we are today.
In 2004, Digital Genius was established as a Lexmark-only dealer. That same year, we achieved accreditation as a Microsoft Partner and Lexmark Premier Partner, setting the stage for further advancements.
Over the next few years, under Dave’s strategic guidance, we became accredited IBM Business Partners, Symantec Business Partners, Cisco SMB Partners, and Lenovo Business Partners.
Dave was instrumental in our acquisition of the Ricoh Business Centre Gold Coast in 2007 which marked an expansion beyond the Brisbane business.
In 2008, we were honoured as a Webex Pilot Partner and received the Cisco SMB Partner Awards QLD. We also became an Apple reseller in 2009, broadening our technological offerings. In 2010, a year that also saw us rebrand to RBC Business Solutions and celebrate 35 years as a Ricoh dealer.
Dave’s vision led to the expansion and launch of RBC Business Solutions Melbourne in 2012, and under his stewardship, RBC Melbourne had year on year growth a challenge in any new market.
Our acquisition of Melbourne-based Laserfast in 2014 and the consolidation into RBC GROUP in 2015 were strategic moves to ensure we weren’t going to remain as traditional copier company, were continue our path to be a true technology provider.
In 2015, our collaboration with HP Inc to sell HP products and services marked another significant milestone.
2016 saw us offering Business Process Automation under the Filebound Platform and Docs2me, and launching end-to-end Managed IT services under the IP2me platform.
The following year, we partnered with HP to introduce a complete A3 Product line, offered HP A3 devices as a Tier 1 supplier, and celebrated multiple wins at the HP Partner Awards.
Dave was appointed to various HP advisory boards, reflecting our influence and leadership in the industry, a membership he was very proud to be a part of, sharing insights in the ever evolving technology space.
In 2019, we parted ways with Ricoh after 45 years, a bold move that Dave navigated, albeit controversial at the time, the move was seen as a positive step in the RBC’s evolution.
Dave lead the transformation to be a tech company forming strategic partnerships with Interactive, Australia’s largest IT company and TCG, both were testaments to Dave’s relentless pursuit of growth and innovation.
Dave’s leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment have been the bedrock of our company’s success. He was instrumental in driving us to achieve these milestones which ultimately set us on a growth trajectory in an ever-evolving industry.
His legacy will continue to inspire all at RBC and his contributions will be remembered for generations to come.
Dave lead the transformation to be a tech company forming strategic partnerships with Interactive and TCG, both were testaments to Dave’s relentless pursuit of growth and innovation.
Dave’s leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment have been the bedrock of our company’s success. He was instrumental in driving us to achieve these milestones which ultimately set us on a growth trajectory in an ever-evolving industry.
His legacy will continue to inspire all at RBC and his contributions will be remembered for generations to come.
Dave’s passing certainly leaves some big shoes to fill.
One of the many messages of support received this was from HP’s Australian Managing Director Brad Pulford and Director of Print Services Chris Hewlett:
“David was not only a remarkable leader at RBC Group but also an instrumental part of our Partner Advisory Council and a renowned industry veteran. His contributions, insights, and dedication significantly shaped our collaborative efforts and drove mutual success. In addition to David’s professional accomplishments, he was known for his passion for our industry and his kind-hearted nature, earning the respect and admiration of colleagues, employees, and partners alike. His absence will be profoundly felt by all of us who had the privilege of working with him.”
Finally, a tribute all the team at RBC Group, particularly the long termers, who were very fond of him:
“Dave was more than just an MD or boss. He had a way of connecting with people with his entertaining stories like no one else. He always tried to be upbeat, always reassuring us towards the positives even during challenging times. Dave strove to foster an environment for others to succeed and regularly expressed his gratitude for the contribution we made to the business that he was so proud of. We will miss his support, his mischievous sense of fun, and the varying degrees of mothering he sometimes required. For Adele, he was a total pain in her ass at times, but luckily also a lovable one that she came to call a friend. Dave, we will aim to do you proud and continue your legacy, striving for the further success you envisioned. We will miss you.”
Dave, thank you for everything. We will continue to honour your legacy with the same passion and dedication that you showed us.
Rest easy Dave, you will be missed.
Should you have any questions or concerns please contact Micheal Manton; mmanton@rbcgroup.com.au.
