David Ferguson began his career in the New Brunswick public service in 1972. In 1994 he was appointed Deputy Minister of Advanced Education and Labour. Subsequent appointments included Deputy Solicitor General, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, and Deputy Minister of Natural Resources. Ferguson served as Clerk of the Executive Council and Secretary to Cabinet until his retirement in 2010. In 2011, he was appointed Chair of the Board of Horizon Health Authority where he served until June 2016. He currently serves on the Boards of Portage Atlantic and Learnsphere Canada. Ferguson has a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola College.