David graduated from Hills-Beaver Creek (MN) High School in 1966. He attended Worthington Junior College and the University of Minnesota from the fall of 1966 to the spring of 1970 majoring in Ag Education. David was inducted into the United States Army in November 1970 and was stationed in Berlin, Germany as an infantryman until June of 1972. He started his farming career in 1973 and continues to farm today. David married Charlene Esselink in August 1975 and together they have two children, Jill and Christopher. David attends First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Falls, SD and served on the church council and taught Sunday school and various youth programs. David started in the ethanol industry in 1995 by helping to organize and develop Agri-Energy, LLC in Luverne, Minnesota. David is currently employed part time to coordinate and oversee the member's investments. In the eleven plus years in the industry David has done over a thousand presentations to various groups in the United States, Canada, and Argentina. David and his wife Char formed a consulting group (DAK Renewable Energy) in 2006 and currently work with several groups on renewable energy. David currently serves on the Board of Directors of Valley Springs Farmers Coop (1997-present), Badger State Ethanol (2001-present), Mid Atlantic Bio Diesel (2005-present), Minwind Energy (2004-2007), Minwind II (2004-2007), Conestoga Energy Partners (2006-present), and Kansas Ethanol, LLC (2006-present). David has played a role in several renewable projects and did the development of Mid Missouri Energy in Malta Bend, Missouri. David has also testified on behalf of farmers and renewable energy in many states and on the federal level.