About

David is Executive Director of RECOFTC. He joined RECOFTC amid growing recognition that securing the land and resource rights of forest communities lays the essential foundation for peace, economic development and climate change mitigation and adaptation. David is a strong advocate for community forestry as an entry point for achieving the SDGs and for path-breaking private sector models that respect local rights and deliver lasting and tangible benefits for people and forests in the Asia Pacific region.

David joined RECOFTC in 2017 from SERVIR-Mekong, a joint USAID NASA Initiative, where he was Chief of Party since 2014. Previously he was Chief of Party for Winrock International?s Lowering Emissions in Asia?s Forests (USAID LEAF) Program, which strengthened the capacity of developing countries in Asia to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and forestry. David served as a director with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and a technical officer with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). David has a Ph.D. in environmental science, policy and management.