David S. Potter (born January 16, 1925) was United States Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research and Development) from 1973 to 1974 and Under Secretary of the Navy from 1974 to 1976. After he left public service, Potter was a long-time executive at General Motors. Upon retiring from government in 1976, Potter returned to General Motors as vice president for environmental matters. He later became GM's Vice President, Power Products and Defense Operations Group, the title he held upon his retirement from GM in 1985.