Prior to holding elected office, Zien was a campus administrator at Northcentral Technical College.

He built a memorial called "Rockpile II" in Wheaton, Wisconsin dedicated to those who served in the Vietnam War.

[5] Dave Zien logged more than two million miles riding motorcycles before being critically injured in a violent highway crash in Florida.

Even though the 61-year-old former state representative and senator lost part of his left leg – and almost his life – in the March crash, he has continued to ride, this time on a three-wheeled Harley-Davidson.

During his time in office, Zien was the recipient of many awards, including the following: Legislator of the Year, membership in the American Legion, National MC Hall of Fame inductee with Peter Fonda, NRA Defender of Freedom Award presented by Charlton Heston, Outstanding Legislator, 1995–96, and NFlB Guardian of Small Business, 1995–96.