David B. Williams
Boone,NC
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience in conservation program management at North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Proven success in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement, enhancing resource management initiatives. Skilled in grant writing and team development, driving impactful conservation efforts across diverse partnerships.
Overview
50
50
years of professional experience
Work History
Director
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Raleigh, North Carolina
06.2023 - Current
- Lead a staff of 55 employees to implement a comprehensive statewide locally-led conservation program.
- In this role I work very closely with each of North Carolina’s 96 soil and water conservation districts, NC Soil and Water Conservation Commission, NC Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Farm Services Agency, NC Commissioner of Agriculture, NC Foundation for Soil and Water Conservation, and other conservation partners and advocates to ensure effective delivery of conservation programs across the conservation partnership.
- I have extensive engagement with the NC General Assembly and NC’s Congressional delegation.
- I also serve as Southeast Regional Director for the National Association of State Conservation Agencies.
- Division of Soil and Water Conservation. Website: [NC Department of Agriculture](https://www.ncagr.gov)
Deputy Director
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Raleigh, North Carolina
05.2010 - 06.2023
- Oversaw development and implementation of Agricultural Water Resources Assistance Program and Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program, enhancing resource management and conservation efforts.
- Coordinated the implementation of the Division’s role in responding to natural disasters in partnership with USDA, the NC Department of Public Safety, and the NC Department of Environmental Quality.
- Supervised sections in the Division, ensuring alignment with overall strategic goals.
- I also represented the National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA) on the Leadership Team for the National Conservation Planning Partnership.
- Division of Soil and Water Conservation. Website: [NC Department of Agriculture](https://www.ncagr.gov)
Chief, Nonpoint Source Programs Section
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Raleigh, North Carolina
10.1998 - 05.2010
- Managed a staff of 22 in a diverse set of non-regulatory programs, including the North Carolina Agriculture Cost Share Program, the Community Conservation Assistance Program, the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, the Swine Buyout Program, and the Tar-Pamlico Nutrient Trading Program.
- Responsibilities included technical and administrative oversight; budget management; chairing various technical and advisory committees; grant writing and administration; and managing coordination with the Soil and Water Conservation Commission, soil and water conservation districts, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Services Agency, the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, and other conservation partners.
- Served as acting Director from June 2005 to November 2005.
- Division of Soil and Water Conservation. Website: [NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources](https://deq.nc.gov)
Chief, Industrial Pollution Prevention Section
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Raleigh, North Carolina
05.1994 - 10.1998
- Responsibilities included supervising a staff of nine who provided onsite, written, and telephone technical assistance to industries on multi-media waste reduction; establishing short and long-term priorities for the Section; coordinating with state, federal, and local agencies; and managing the program budget.
- Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance. Website: [NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources](https://deq.nc.gov)
Environmental Engineer
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Raleigh, North Carolina
12.1989 - 05.1994
- Worked in the Industrial Pollution Prevention Section providing onsite, written, and telephone technical assistance to industries on multi-media waste reduction; making technical presentations to industry, trade associations, environmental regulators, and citizen groups; serving as project manager for nine challenge grant demonstration projects with North Carolina companies; assisting with incorporating pollution prevention into state and federal environmental regulations; and developing a multi-media waste reduction database management system.
- Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance. Website: [NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources](https://deq.nc.gov)
Environmental Engineer
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Raleigh, North Carolina
06.1988 - 12.1989
- Worked in the Special Projects Group of the Water Quality Section.
- Worked on a variety of special projects, including: assessing the technical and economic feasibility of removing salt from pickle processing wastewater, developing a nutrient management strategy for the Tar-Pamlico River Basin, and assessing the technical and economic feasibility of various nitrogen and phosphorus removal technologies for municipal wastewater treatment works.
- Research usually involved online literature searches and extensive data analysis and concluded with a formal report.
- Division of Environmental Management. Website: [NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources](https://deq.nc.gov)
Farm Worker
Charles Williams Farm
Advance, North Carolina
06.1976 - 04.1989
- Assisted in operation and management of a 75-head dairy herd and 20-head beef herd.
- Operated and maintained equipment.
- Milked cows twice a day.
- Kept financial and production records.
- Trained and supervised employees.
Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
07.1986 - 06.1988
- Responsibilities included developing an expert system to help dairy farmers design the most cost-effective waste management system for their operation.
- Also assisted faculty with teaching an agricultural systems course, a computer applications course.
- Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. Website: [NC State University](https://www.ncsu.edu)
R.J. Reynolds Research Apprentice
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
05.1985 - 05.1986
- Conducted tests and modifications on experimental tobacco transplanter and harvester; researched airflow through stacked tobacco; assessed effects of temperature, relative humidity, and time on tobacco curing; investigated photosynthesis rates of tobacco across growth stages to enhance understanding of tobacco production processes.
- Evaluated datasets using SAS to derive insights that supported impactful research findings.
- Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. Website: [NC State University](https://www.ncsu.edu)
Education
M.S. - Biological and Agricultural Engineering
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina08-1993
B.S. - Biological and Agricultural Engineering
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina05-1986
Skills
- Conservation program management
- Grant writing and administration
- Budget management
- Leadership development and training
- Event coordination
- Organizational development
- Technical assistance
- Public speaking
- Policy development
- Strategic resource management
- Problem solving
- Stakeholder engagement
- Project management
- Effective communication
- Program evaluation
Hobbies and Interests
- Drama, Former Cast Member, Horn In the West, Revolutionary War-Era Outdoor Drama
- 25+ years singing in a Southern Gospel Quartet, Redeemed
- Former Board Member (Secretary), Southern Appalachian Historical Association, Boone, NC
Religious Affiliation
Laurel Springs Baptist Church, Deep Gap, North Carolina, Worship Team Leader, Sunday School teacher, Mens’ Ministry Co-Director, Adult Choir Assistant Director, Mens’ Bible School Co-Leader
Family
Married since 1987 to Dr. Luanne Williams, Retired Pharmacist and State Toxicologist
Daughter: Olivia Wilkins (Austin), 3 grandchildren
Accomplishments
- NACD Southeast Region Hall of Fame, 2025
Timeline
Director
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
06.2023 - Current
Deputy Director
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
05.2010 - 06.2023
Chief, Nonpoint Source Programs Section
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
10.1998 - 05.2010
Chief, Industrial Pollution Prevention Section
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
05.1994 - 10.1998
Environmental Engineer
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
12.1989 - 05.1994
Environmental Engineer
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
06.1988 - 12.1989
Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant
North Carolina State University
07.1986 - 06.1988
R.J. Reynolds Research Apprentice
North Carolina State University
05.1985 - 05.1986
Farm Worker
Charles Williams Farm
06.1976 - 04.1989
M.S. - Biological and Agricultural Engineering
North Carolina State University
B.S. - Biological and Agricultural Engineering
North Carolina State University