Dr. David R. Graves has more than 30 years professional experience in a wide range of agricultural and business activities, including both the public and private sectors. Graves began his career in the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., where he served as a Research Analyst in the Farmer Cooperative Service before moving to the Office of the Secretary as a Program and Policy Analyst. The later position involved program and policy oversight analysis for the benefit of the Secretary of Agriculture.

Following the Department of Agriculture tenure, Dr. Graves entered the private sector as an entrepreneur. During these years, he owned and managed several small business operations engaged in supply and service commerce for retail and wholesale markets. Through these real-world experiences, Dr. Graves developed a deep and lasting appreciation for the value of customer service.

Dr. Graves returned to the public sector as the principal farm policy adviser to Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) during the difficult agricultural economy of the mid-1980s, and was deeply involved in the landmark 1985 farm bill, as well as the 1987 legislation that assured the soundness of the farmer-owned Farm Credit System.

Following his tenure with Senator Cochran, Dr. Graves served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Rice Millers' Association, during which time he was very active in the Uruguay Round negotiations that focused on access for U.S. rice to the Japanese market. Dr. Graves was a leader in the rice industry's effort to establish the USA Rice Federation - an umbrella organization for producers and millers - and served as the organization's first President and Chief Executive Officer.

Most recently, Dr. Graves served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, the national organization for cooperatively operated businesses by farmers, ranchers and growers. Under his leadership, Congress established a Congressional Farmer Cooperative Caucus to provide a forum for a national focus on the challenges and opportunities of these businesses and this business model.