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Servant Leaders in Action: Public Service
Road to the White House
Richard Davis (BA '93) currently serves as the Director of Prevention Policy for the Homeland Security Council at the White House, and is responsible for counter-terrorism policy development. He previously served the George W. Bush Administration as the Director of the Weapons of Mass Effect Prevention Task Force and Director of the Academe, Policy and Research Senior Advisor Committee at the Department of Homeland Security.
Davis has worked with international security and political organizations such as NATO, OSCE (Organization for Security Cooperation in Europe), and the European Union/Commission to integrate lessons and capabilities into the global architecture of terrorism prevention. Before this, Davis served as the president and co-founder of RAISON, an international non-governmental organization committed to building sustainable democracies in marginalized regions of the world through agricultural, educational, economic, and leadership development projects. Prior to his work in the White House and with RAISON, Davis served as a consultant to the City of Milwaukee for an urban renewal project and as Chancellor of Eastside Christian Schools in Fullerton, CA, where he also spent 8 years as a teacher and administrator. After his graduation from Hope, Davis joined the staff and served as the Men's Soccer head coach from 1992 to 1998. As he recounts some of his most inspiring professional experiences, Hope International University is at the forefront.
"(Hope) is a place of big moments," says Davis, "the kind that are powerful, influential and that have true staying power. From the very moment I stepped on campus, my life was impacted by my roommates, fellow students, professors, and the administration. (Hope) created a culture of community and scholarship that challenged me to view the world differently. Every fiber of the University inspires its graduates to become a resource, a change agent, and a cup of water for those without hope.
(Hope) Professors take seriously the daunting task of teaching both inside and outside of the classroom. Their mark of excellence in their profession was their ability to take my mind to places that it had not yet explored. The academic rigor, discipline and character expected during those formative years, serve me well in my current position.
With continued enthusiasm, I reflect on my experience as coach of the Men's Soccer team. After a few years of coaching, the opportunity to represent the University in several different countries in the Caribbean was provided by the administration. This gave me tremendous insight about the fragility of our own country and the great needs of building bridges with other nations. The trust and confidence placed in me by the administration to pursue this international endeavor, most certainly propelled my career and created the foundation for the work of RAISON.
Well over 100 outstanding young men played soccer for the University under my tenure as coach. I am honored to have been able to share life with my players and I am so proud of who they have become today. For them, I have a great deal of respect and attribute much of my personal growth and ability to laugh and seize the day to this serious bunch of rascals. In truth, the management tools that I employ today were learned on the pitch with those young men. Interestingly enough, the psychology of coaching shares a transferable set of skills to that of national security. Military officers have their chessboards and I have my soccer pitch. Finally, the University gave me something more, a beautiful marriage. My wife Heather (Kelly, BA '94)remains my great inspiration. For all that Hope has given, I am grateful and humbled by more than I could ever ask or imagine."
Davis holds two Masters Degrees and two Baccalaureate Degrees: a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, a Masters in Education from Azusa Pacific University, and Bachelors degrees in both Finance and Social Science from Pacific Christian College (Hope International University). He was a Senior Fellow at George Washington University and is currently expecting to graduate in May of 2006 from the Naval War College with his third Masters Degree, this one in National Security and Strategic Studies.
Wife Heather Davis is currently leading RAISON with projects in Central Asia and the Caribbean.