Dave Welch of Lacey, Washington, has served as the National Preservation Officer of the Oregon-California Trails Association (OCTA) since 2001. 

Welch, who earned his B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Michigan, has served as president of OCTA (1999-2001), vice-president for two terms (1997-1999), as well as serving as president of the organization's Northwest Chapter. He served as project manager for the Northwest Chapter's trail marking activities in the Pendleton area. In addition, he was actively involved in planning for OCTA's national conventions in Baker City (1993) and in Pendleton (1998). In August 2002, Dave was elected to a three-year term on the OCTA Board of Directors and was re-elected in 2005.

Welch's interest in the overland emigrant trails grows naturally from his emigrant ancestors who traveled to California and Oregon between 1847 and 1860. Dave has conducted extensive family history research to document their journeys and their lives thereafter.

Prior to his retirement, Welch served as an analyst for military systems for a number of aerospace companies while also managing technical organizations and program development activities. He was also a consultant to NATO.