Dr. David J. Adams

Dr. David J. Adams

The Maritime Administration is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. David J. Adams to the position of Director, Office of Civil Rights. Dr. Adams brings broad experience to the Maritime Administration from his recent position at the USDA Farm Service Agency Office of Civil Rights as the Deputy Director. His position at the USDA encompassed Title VII informal, formal complaint processing; Title VI fact-finding and position statements; civil right impact analysis and studies, and a wide array of strategic management functions. It was in this office he transitioned swiftly into managing an organization that covered all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Guam impacting 20,000 employees and 100,000+ ranchers and farmers depending on USDA for entrepreneur support and economic assistance. In addition to his position as the Deputy Director, he held the positions of Specialist, Branch Chief, and Special Assistant.

Dr. Adams has a total of 25 years with the Federal Government. He was a United States Army Reserve soldier. He served in the United States Army as a Non-Commissioned Officer and later earned an appointment as a commissioned Warrant Officer. He was activated to active duty to serve in the Operation Joint Endeavor Campaign in 1996-1997. He served as an infantryman, ordnance officer, logistician and master facilitator. He is a graduate of the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, and served as an Equal Opportunity Advisor at a Brigade Level Army installation. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer from the Army Reserves in May 2005.

Dr. Adams was born in Mound Bayou, Mississippi. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education from Alcorn State University. He has a Masters Degree with emphasis on Private Sector and Public Management of Organizations and a Doctorate Degree in International Business Management both from California Coast University School of Business and Administrative Management. He has received advanced training in the military and received numerous civilian and military awards and honors.