David Matthews
Co-Founder & Managing Principal
David Matthews has built his career at the intersection of business, finance, and government, gaining an uncommon perspective on how opportunities are developed, evaluated, and brought to fruition.
His private-sector career includes sourcing, evaluating, and managing hundreds of millions of dollars in prospective financing opportunities across manufacturing, agriculture, food processing, energy, hospitality, healthcare, and other industries. Working within national and regional lending institutions, he developed a firsthand understanding of what makes projects financeable, how lenders evaluate risk, and what it takes to advance complex transactions.
His experience extends well beyond the lending side of the table.
During his federal career, David held senior executive and advisory positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, most recently serving as Director of State Operations for Rural Development. In that role, he directed nationwide operations with responsibility for approximately 2,475 federal employees and oversight spanning 88 loan, grant, and technical assistance programs.
Throughout his government service, David also experienced the other side of business development: receiving proposals and presentations from organizations seeking government contracts, partnerships, and other opportunities. That experience gave him a valuable perspective on how institutions evaluate proposals, navigate competing priorities, and make consequential decisions.
He was also presidentially appointed to the seven-member Board for International Food and Agricultural Development, advising USAID on matters involving international agriculture and food security.
An entrepreneur himself, David understands the challenges of building a business as well as the complexities of financing and institutional decision-making. His approach combines strategic thinking, practical execution, and an appreciation for the relationships that help move important projects forward.
