David was born in Oxnard, California and shortly thereafter his family moved to King City, California. He grew up on his father Allen's farm, working many different ag-related jobs through high school. He attended California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo where he received his Bachelor of Science in Crop Science.

 After a short stint in vineyard management he started David Gill Ranch Company in 1976, with 200 acres of vegetables. In 1978, he began Rio Farms, adding an additional 400 acres. He expanded the operation with his brother, Steve, and through the years has continued to expand his farming operations to a current level of 14,500 acres in Monterey, Ventura and Imperial Counties.

 In 1986, David teamed with six other major growers in the Salinas Valley to form Growers Vegetable Express. Together the partners started one of the most innovative and respected fresh vegetables growing and farming operations in the North America.

Today he oversees day-to-day operations, strategic planning, financial duties and growing operations of Rio Farms, one of the major growing entities for Growers Express.

 David has been extremely active at the board level for numerous local, state and national agricultural organizations. He served six years on the board and two years on the Executive Committee of the Produce Marketing Association. He is a past Chairman and current Board member of the Western Growers Association and a past Board Member of the Grower Shipper Vegetable Association of Central California. He is also a current member of the Monterey County Farm Bureau, King City Young Farmers and the Chamber of Commerce, and was Citizen of the Year, King City in 1996.

 In his free time, David enjoys golf, hunting and aviation. He and his wife Susan have two grown sons, Curtis and Brandon, and two grandchildren, Rachelle and Colin.