Both David and Gretchen grew up in Fairfax. David received a BA from the College of William and Mary, a Master's in Public Administration and Policy from Virginia Tech, and is a graduate of the Sorensen Institute of Political Leadership at the University of Virginia.

Professionally, David is a Project Manager at Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. and works to help government agencies and industry comply with state and federal environmental regulations.

David was first elected to the General Assembly in November 2005. He currently serves on the General Laws, Appropriations, Education, and Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources committees. He is chair of the General Laws Committee and chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Agriculture, and Natural Resources. David has been appointed by the Speaker to serve on the Chesapeake Bay Commission, Housing Commission, State Water Commission (where he currently serves as chair), and Major Economic Investment Commission. He also serves as Governor Northam's appointee to the Legislative Advisory Council to the Southern Region Education Board and the Legislative Advisory Board to the Virginia Water Resources Research Center. From 2003 to 2005, David was an elected representative on the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District Board.

David is passionate about community service. He is currently on the Board of Trustees of Brain Injury Services, which provides support to survivors of brain injuries and their families, the Board of the City of Fairfax Band, and the Board of Advisors for the William and Mary Public Policy Program. His is also an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Centreville-Chantilly. Other community service includes- former coach with Fairfax Little League and Burke Athletic Club soccer; former member and treasurer of the Rotary Club of Annandale (1999-2002); former member of the Fairfax County Tree Commission (2004-2005); and, former Governor's appointee to the Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Board.

David and Gretchen also served as co-chairs of the annual Middleridge community National Night Out celebration for seven years. This event is part of a nation-wide crime prevention and awareness program. The Middleridge NNO is one of the largest in Northern Virginia.