David Davis

“I always thought the state government was there to protect the people. Big business has their own protection, but nobody was protecting people. That’s why we looked at consumer services as one of the things that we should do. I don’t know what they’re doing now, because we would certify under consumer services that the scales in the store when you buy your meat, you buy your products, are working properly, and you will not be ripped off…. To me, I always thought that somebody needs to be out there looking out for the small person.”

David Davis was the first black division director at the Texas Department of Agriculture. He oversaw the training of pesticide applicators, including aerial applicators. As pest management director, Davis administered the required applicator training program, which had previously not been required for licensure. Davis also managed the rapidly growing export inspection program, ensuring that Texas agricultural products met foreign standards.