David M. Beasley Executive Director, World Food Programme In a public service and business career that spans more than four decades, David Beasley has worked across political, religious and ethnic lines to champion economic development, humanitarian assistance, education, and intercultural and interfaith cooperation for the most vulnerable people across the globe. He brings this unique background to his new position as Executive Director of the World Food Programme. For the past 10 years, Mr Beasley has worked with influential leaders and on-the-ground programme managers in more than 100 countries on projects to foster peace, reconciliation and economic progress. Mr Beasley has also helped strengthen cooperation and communication among the business, political and non-governmental sectors in regions of long-standing political, ethnic and religious tensions. As Governor of the U.S. state of South Carolina from 1995 to 1999, Mr Beasley provided a steady hand in moments of crisis and cast a vision of reform in welfare, education and economic development. Mr Beasley was the first Governor in South Carolina to call for the removal of the Confederate Flag from the state capitol building, a stand that earned him the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. Mr Beasley received his Bachelor’s degree from Clemson University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of South Carolina. He was first elected to public office at the age of 21 as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives. He is married to the former Mary Wood Payne and is the father of four children.