A Government Innovator With Results

David is a Dad, Management Consultant, and Civic Leader.

A Hoosier by choice for over 20 years, David moved to Indiana as so many in our community have, to study at IU. And like many, found his forever home in Bloomington.

He has worked for government, non-profit organizations, and management consulting for two decades, and brings that experience to County Council, the Monroe County Plan Commission, and other boards and commissions to serve the whole community.

David G. Henry


David at the Y, 2004

Public Health HAZMAT Training with the Louisville Fire Department, 2006

David’s Bloomington Story

David’s journey in Monroe County began in 2002 when he moved to Bloomington to study at Indiana University. Encouraged by two of his college mentors, who earned their Ph.Ds. in public policy at IU, David decided to pursue a Master’s in Public Affairs at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Before starting his degree, David worked as a substitute teacher and later joined the staff at Bloomington North High School. While at IU, he worked full-time at the Monroe County Y, where he met many people, made friends, learned to play Euchre, and became part of the community. He also met his future wife while working there.

David earned his Master’s in Public Affairs with a focus on local government administration in 2005.

A Career Starts in County Government

David’s first job after IU was as a public health preparedness coordinator for the Monroe County Health Department, managing a grant program from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

He was one of three full-time emergency management-trained staff members in the county. David worked closely with his mentor, the late Bob Schmidt, and County Council liaison, the late Sophia Travis, to raise awareness about pandemic planning and recruit volunteer nurses and doctors for emergency response.

David is the only member of County Council with experience working directly for Monroe County Government. He would bring valuable insights into the challenges faced by county government workers.

On the National Academies of Science, Institute of Medicine, Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events, 2008-10

A reunion: Former NGA Public Safety Chairman, Social Security Administrator and Maryland Governor Marty O’Malley visits David’s class in 2022.

Onsite Incident Management and IT consulting at Super Bowl 50, San Jose, CA, 2016

A Record of Servant Leadership

David has supported public safety, homeland security, and emergency management at a national level for nearly two decades. David puts that knowledge to work each day for Monroe County.

David took his Monroe County experience to Washington. As the senior homeland security analyst for the bi-partisan National Governors Association (NGA), he advised state governments on disaster management, terrorism, first responder safety, and public safety radio communications. He represented the nation's governors on committees of the Transportation Research Board and the Institute of Medicine at the National Academies of Science. His team co-authored the desk reference used by governors on homeland security, used by over 70 administrations, during times of crisis.

David knows the best practices nationwide for emergency management and preparedness and will advocate to fully fund our county preparedness for disasters.

David was also a senior management fellow for the District of Columbia Government under then-Mayor Adrian Fenty’s administration, working on wage increases and human resource performance management.

David will bring an understanding of human resource management from our Nation’s capital to Monroe County government- a key responsibility of county council

Paying it Forward: Teaching the Next Public Servants

David is on the teaching faculty at the IU O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, where he developed their homeland security studies minor. This was the first program in the nation that centers an ethics course as a required part of their security studies, for which he received a teaching award in 2021. 

Paying It Forward For Others

Service above self is more than a motto. For David, it is a north star for public service.

Committed to combating climate change and sustainability, David served briefly on the state Board of Directors for Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter.

He is a member of the Bloomington Sunrise Rotary and a Paul Harris Fellow.

David was appointed by the County Commissioners to serve a term on the Affordable Housing Advisory Commission. He was also president of the Monroe County Board of Elections.

David was unanimously elected chair of the Monroe County Democratic Party in 2022, serving through 2025. He was a state delegate to the 2020, 2022, and 2024 Indiana Democratic Party State Conventions. He continues his party service as a Ninth District Deputy Chairman.

David lives in Van Buren Township with his spouse and three kids.

Supporting Pantry 279 through Rotary, 2022

David’s Experience

  • Member at-Large, Monroe County Council (2025-present)

  • Member, Monroe County Plan Commission (2025-present)

  • Member, Monroe County Emergency Management Advisory Commission (2025 - present)

  • Member, Metropolitan Planning Organization (2025-present)

  • Member, Bloomington Sunrise Rotary (2022-2025), Paul Harris Fellow, Past Service Chair (2022-2023)

  • Civic Member, Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce (2023-present)

  • President and Board Member, Monroe County Elections Board (2022-2023)

  • Board Member, Monroe County Affordable Housing Advisory Commission (2021-2022)

  • Board Member, Fairfax County Medical Reserve Corps (2008-2011)

  • Board Member, Monroe County Local Emergency Planning Council (2006-2007)

  • Board Member, Monroe County Citizens’ Corps (2006-2007)

  • Director, Monroe County Medical Reserve Corps (2006-2007)

  • Chair, Monroe County Democratic Party (2021-2025), Vice Chair (2021), Precinct Committeeperson (2019-present)

  • Member, Indiana 9th District Democrats Committee (2021- present), Deputy Chair for Political Affairs (2025-present)

  • Delegate, Indiana Democratic Party State Convention (2020, 2022, 2024)

  • Steering Committee, Indivisible Bloomington and 9th District, (2017-2019)

Professional Experience

20 years experience in government and non-profit management and policy consulting including:

  • Public Health Emergency Coordinator, Monroe County Health Department

  • Capital City Senior Management Fellow, Government of the District of Columbia

  • Senior Policy Analyst, National Governors Association

  • Teaching Faculty, IU O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs

  • Career Management Consultant, supporting US Department of Homeland Security, US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Federal Emergency Management Agency, US Department of Energy, US Department of Defense, US Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and US Department of Justice on projects as an employee of a private sector consulting firm and non-profit organizations.