Current Status: Alumni
Graduation Year: 1993
Richard Davis (BA '93), an Arizona native and current candidate for the Arizona State Senate, is happily married to his college sweetheart, Heather, and together they are committed to a life of public service.
Davis is currently the CEO of ARTIS Research & Risk Modeling, a premier scientific research firm for issues such as national security, international conflict, terrorism and energy. He is also President of Davis Energy, a company working to decrease the nation’s dependence upon foreign sources of petroleum by improving technology, financing, and public policy for alternative and renewable fuels.
Davis is a Trustee for Hope International University and holds appointments at RTI International, Arizona State University, the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, John Jay College, the World Energy Council and The World Federation of Scientists.
Davis served President George W. Bush at The White House as the Director of Terrorism Prevention Policy for the Homeland Security Council. Prior to The White House, he served as the Director of the Task Force to Prevent the Entry of Weapons of Mass Effect and the Director of the Academe, Policy and Research Senior Advisory Committee for Secretaries Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff at the Department of Homeland Security. He has served as Chancellor of Eastside Christian Schools, ran a non-profit dedicated to conflict mitigation and youth development, and taught in public and private schools.
Davis has an M.P.A. from Harvard University; an M.A. from the Naval War College; and an M.A. from Azusa Pacific University. He holds two Baccalaureate Degrees from Hope International University. 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."
"Every fiber of the University inspires its graduates to become a resource, a change agent, and a cup of water for those without hope."
