# David Zapata

> David M. Zapata is the Chicago-based founder, CEO and partner of Zapwater Communications, a lifestyle communications agency founded in 2005 with offices in Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami. A 1994 Gettysburg College graduate, he became executive chair of Travel Lifestyle Network in 2025 and serves on ENLACE’s board.

- **Role:** Founder, CEO and Partner at Zapwater Communications, Inc.; Executive Chair of the Board at Travel Lifestyle Network
- **Organizations:** Zapwater Communications, Inc., Travel Lifestyle Network, ENLACE, Publicity Club of Chicago, Madison Street Theatre, PRSA Chicago, Beat the Streets Chicago
- **Education:** Political science and history double major, Gettysburg College
- **Known for:** First recipient of the Publicity Club of Chicago’s Member of the Year award in 2019., Led Zapwater as it received the 2024 Best of Skyline award for Skydeck Chicago work., Appointed executive chair of Travel Lifestyle Network in 2025.

## Career timeline

- **1994** — Graduated from Gettysburg College.
- **2005** — Founded Zapwater Communications.
- **2017** — Announced an agreement to acquire The Barry Group in Los Angeles.
- **2019** — Zapwater acquired Cheryl Andrews Marketing Communications, establishing its Miami office.
- **2019** — Received the Publicity Club of Chicago’s inaugural Member of the Year award.
- **2023** — Zapwater launched its bilingual division, Chispa.
- **2025** — Appointed executive chair of Travel Lifestyle Network’s board in June.

## Achievements

- First recipient of the Publicity Club of Chicago’s Member of the Year award in 2019.
- Led Zapwater as it received the 2024 Best of Skyline award for Skydeck Chicago work.
- Appointed executive chair of Travel Lifestyle Network in 2025.
- Zapwater named to The PR Net 100 for a fifth consecutive year in 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Welcomed Linkd Tourism to Travel Lifestyle Network; the October 21 report put membership at 25 agencies.
- **2026-09** — Zapwater announced its fifth consecutive inclusion in The PR Net 100 on September 9.
- **2026-08** — Zapwater appointed US communications agency of record for Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau on August 20.
- **2025-07** — Bertha Diaz promoted to senior vice president and head of Zapwater’s Chispa bilingual division.

## Links

- Website: https://www.zapwater.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zapwater

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/david-zapata
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-26