Dave Dempsey of St. Paul, Minnesota, is an environmental policy consultant and writer, active on conservation in the field for more than 25 years.

Dave served as environmental advisor to Michigan Governor James J. Blanchard from 1983 to 1989.  President Clinton appointed him to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission in 1994, and he served on it until 2001.  He has also held numerous administrative, policy, and consulting positions for nonprofit conservation and environmental organizations in Michigan and Minnesota.

Dave is the author of two award-winning books on the environment, Ruin and Recovery: Michigan's Rise as a Conservation Leader and On the Brink: The Great Lakes in the 21st Century.  Dave also authored William G. Milliken: Michigan's Passionate Moderate.

Dave has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Michigan University and a Master's degree in natural resource development from Michigan State University.  He has also served as an adjunct university instructor in environmental policy.