David N. Farr has served as chief executive officer of Emerson since October 2000 and is only the third CEO of the company in more than 55 years.  He was named chairman in September 2004 and president in November 2005.

Under Farr’s leadership, Emerson has grown its position in global markets, increased its focus on customer-oriented services and solutions, and invested in industry-leading technologies to enhance its long-term growth and market position. With his management team, Farr has kept the company focused on creating long-term value and maintaining Emerson’s solid financial performance relative to growth in sales, earnings, cash flow, and return on capital. In 2008 and 2009, he was ranked among “The Best CEOs in America” and the top CEO in the electrical equipment and multi-industry category by Institutional Investor magazine.

Farr joined Emerson in 1981 in a corporate staff position. He subsequently served as the company’s manager of investor relations, vice president of corporate planning and development, president of the Ridge Tool division, and group vice president for the industrial components and equipment business. He then served four years as the Hong Kong-based president of Emerson Asia-Pacific and CEO of Emerson’s Astec joint venture. In 1997, Farr returned to St. Louis to become executive vice president overseeing Emerson’s process management business. In May 1999, he became senior executive vice president and chief operating officer with responsibility for the firm’s global operations, positions that he held until being named CEO in 2000.

Farr is a member of The Business Council, based in Washington, D.C., and is on the board of directors of the US-China Business Council. 

Active in a variety of civic and charitable organizations in St. Louis, Farr currently serves on the executive boards of The Muny at Forest Park and the Boy Scouts of America (Greater St. Louis Area Council). He is also a member of Civic Progress, an organization of chief executives from leading companies in St. Louis who work together to promote the region. Farr is a past member of the board of directors of the United Way of Greater St. Louis and served as the organization’s annual fundraising campaign chairman in 2007, helping raise a record $68.8 million in corporate and employee gifts and pledges.

Farr received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Wake Forest University and a master’s degree in business administration from Vanderbilt University.