Growing up in Annapolis, David Orso was surrounded by the steady influence of education and community. The son of two Anne Arundel County teachers, David’s early life was rooted in structure and discipline. He attended Severna Park High School before heading to the University of Dayton on a golf scholarship, eventually earning an MBA from Loyola University with a concentration in Strategic Marketing. Today, he lives in Arnold with his wife, Dawn, and their three children, ages 25, 20, and 17.

David’s path to real estate wasn’t immediate. His first professional chapter began in corporate America, with roles at the Coca-Cola Company and later the Marriott Corporation. But even then, something else was taking shape in the background.

“I began buying rental properties during this time and fell in love with real estate,” David explains. “So I took the leap in 2004 to become full time.”

That decision marked a turning point, one driven as much by frustration as it was by opportunity.

“I was buying 10–20 investment properties per year and was unable to find a competent realtor,” he recalls. “The lack of professionalism blew me away and I saw a major market opportunity.”

Since entering the industry in 2004, David has built a business that reflects both ambition and intentionality. Now a team leader at Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices, he oversees a group that includes an executive assistant, two agents, and a transaction coordinator. His production has placed him among the top ten worldwide within the company — a distinction that underscores both consistency and scale.

But for David, success isn’t just measured in numbers.

“When I worked in Corporate America, I was traveling almost every week and I did not want to be an absentee father,” he says. “The thing I have love most about my career as a local business owner is coming home every single night to my family, being available to make every game, and being a part of the local community.”

That focus on family is central to his life outside of work. David and his wife describe themselves as “sport’s parents,” often traveling for their children’s athletic commitments. Their daughter Olivia plays lacrosse at The Ohio State University, while their daughter Mia is committed to play soccer at Syracuse University.

When they’re not on the road, the family gravitates toward familiar routines — time at Chartwell Country Club, where they’ve been members for four decades, or summers spent boating on the Magothy River.

“I love golfing, boating and reading,” David says. “We spend a lot of time playing golf and tennis at the club.”

Despite his professional success, David points to two defining moments that reshaped how he views both business and life.

“I went broke in 2008 and learned about money,” he says. “I had cancer in 2020 and learned about health. Through it all I learned that life is so much bigger than being a realtor.”

Those experiences have influenced how he approaches not just his work, but his priorities. They’ve also reinforced the importance of maintaining perspective in an industry that rarely slows down.

“This industry is boundaryless,” David explains. “It is 24/7/365 and that makes family time very difficult. It is hard to be present when clients, agents, and providers are constantly calling, texting, emailing all day, every day.”

That tension has led him to emphasize a principle he believes many agents overlook.

“Learn to set boundaries,” he says. “Most boundaries can be established with systems and support but it starts with a personal commitment to achieve a life outside of real estate.”

Part of what sets David apart is how he measures impact. With every transaction, he and his wife donate a portion of their earnings back to the community.

“I give 10% of every commission check to charity,” he says. “My wife and I are so grateful for how much this community has given to us that we give back and tithe on every sale.”

It’s a philosophy rooted in gratitude, and one that aligns with his broader outlook on life and work.

At its core, David’s approach is guided by a simple idea: “The way you do anything is the way you do everything.”

For him, that means showing up consistently — for clients, for family, and for the community that helped shape his journey.