David C. Powell is an Environmental Senior Specialist with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and a part time Instructor with Cape Fear Community College, whose life and career are deeply rooted in the wilds of southeastern North Carolina. Raised with a profound respect for the outdoors, an avid hunter and fisherman, David grew up in the forests and game lands of Holly Shelter, where he learned firsthand the principles of stewardship by his family.  This upbringing instilled in him a foundational belief that has guided his mission to work to protect the natural beauty of his home state for future generations. 

His professional journey began after graduating from Wallace-Rose Hill High School and earning several associate degrees from James Sprunt Community College, David pursued a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Entering the workforce during the height of the 2010 recession, he faced a challenging job market that required a strategic pivot. Embracing a "lemons into lemonade" mindset, he pursued a certification in wastewater treatment at Cape Fear Community College as a backup plan. This decision proved pivotal, leading to a full-time role as an operator at the Wallace Wastewater Treatment Plant while he concurrently pursued graduate studies in Environmental Assessment at North Carolina State University.

During this formative period, David also served as a research assistant at NCSU’s Williamsdale Biofuel Field Lab. This role provided him with invaluable experience in facility operations and large-scale research support, allowing him to appreciate the essential "grunt work" that underpins scientific advancement. In 2015, David achieved a long-term goal by joining the North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, (now NCDEQ).  Over the next decade, he rose through the ranks to become an Environmental Senior Specialist, with Division of Waste Management, Solid Waste Section.  Over the years he has worked with many different programs across the Division of Water Resources and the Division of Waste Management. His work has taken him from inspecting industries, illegal dumping and landfills, composting at the state zoo, to inspecting septage land application fields.  Along his journey he has met and worked with many great people, in the office and outside of, that have shaped him with years of knowledge and experience to become a better, and more efficient, public servant.

David distinguishes himself through a unique regulatory philosophy centered on technical assistance and education. He recognizes that many people may not fully understand complex administrative codes, so he prioritizes listening to the public, hearing their concerns and trying to find a pathway forward to addressing their needs or issues in the best way possible.  This commitment to mentorship naturally led him back to the classroom; since Spring of 2021, he has served as an instructor at Cape Fear Community College, teaching the same certification courses, Biological Wastewater Grade 1 and 2 Combo Initial Certification course, that launched his own career over a decade previous.  By sharing his technical knowledge and personal experiences, he helps a new generation of professionals navigate their own career paths in the environmental field.

Today, David continues to serve the state of North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality with the same integrity and passion he developed as a young man in the woods of Holly Shelter and Sampson County. Supported by his wife, Kimberly, he remains dedicated to his roles at both NCDEQ and CFCC, viewing his work not just as a career, but as a way to protect his community and give back to the state he calls home. Whether he is performing a field inspection or mentoring a student, David Powell remains a steady advocate for practical conservation, public service, and the preservation of North Carolina’s natural heritage.