Page 28 - CH Spring17 Flipbook

THE CHRONICLE ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
28
Jeff Davis ’70 Chairman US Beef & 2017 Chairman National Restaurant Association
What do you consider to be your greatest
accomplishments (both personally and professionally)?
Personally, it has to be my family! I’ve been so blessed. It starts, of course, with my beautiful wife of 30 years, Judy. We’ve raised four awesome children and enjoy ve delightful, fun-loving grandchildren.And I consider myself so fortunate to have my two brothers and two sisters still close here in Tulsa with their children.
Professionally, it has to be our family business. It was at the beginning of my junior year at Cascia Hall when my father and I opened our rst Arby’s restaurant at 42nd and Peoria. I recall so vividly those early years, working several days a week after football practice and on weekends to grow the company.Today, our United States Beef family has grown to over 360 restaurants, and we’ve been able to provide jobs for almost 8,000 people, taking careers into the middle class and above in multiple leadership positions.
What do you enjoy most about your current career
position?
In a word – everything. In 2014, I was elevated to Chairman of US Beef, and my brother, John Davis (Cascia Hall ’80), took the reins as CEO. I’m also surrounded by a brilliant executive team, which includes my son, Bo Davis, COO, and Brett Pratt, President. By having a highly experienced of cer group, it gave me the freedom to take on the responsibility as the rst Oklahoman to become the 2017 Chairman of the National Restaurant Association, representing the entire restaurant industry – the 2nd largest private business sector in the country – with one million restaurants and over 15 million employees. It’s been a great experience advocating our industry’s position on many legislative issues at the highest government level.
Did your experience at Cascia Hall help you to overcome
obstacles you’ve faced as an adult?
Have you ever heard the phrase,“Who you are is where you were when”? Well, I’m a Cascia Hall graduate. I’m a re ection of my parents, and the values they instilled in me, and those values were reinforced time again during my years on the Cascia campus.At Cascia, I learned how to study, manage my time (between Arby’s, sports, and class), and the importance of a strong work ethic. School work didn’t come easy for me, but my teachers at Cascia had my back.They were my educators and my cheerleaders.They helped me learn perseverance when times got tough.And those lessons have stayed with me throughout my life. And not only had the lessons stayed with me, my Class of ’70 has remained
extremely close over the years. Class reunions or impromptu get togethers are always fun to reminisce and laugh about the stories from our years at Cascia. It seems like every year they get more and more exaggerated.
What advice would you give to younger alumni or current students who aspire to follow a similar career path?
Be con dent. If you’ve gone to or are currently going to Cascia, you’re getting the best education afforded any young man or woman. So believe in yourself, and don’t think it’s a cliché to follow your dreams. My career path wasn’t exactly considered a glamorous one in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. Fast food was just getting a foothold; but I loved it. For me, it was a real passion, and I felt especially fortunate because I was
able to work side by side with my family. In August, 1969, I was making roast beef sandwiches at 42nd and Peoria. But even then I was dreaming of expansion. And now, 48 years later, we’re at 360 with no sight of stopping anytime soon. So don’t limit your dreams. If you’re passionate about a particular career path, keep your eye on the prize, and don’t let anyone sti e you.
Other pieces of advice that will serve you well are:
• Cascia will give you a jump out of the starting block. Keep learning and get a well-rounded education.
• If at all possible, work in your chosen career as much as you can while you’re in school. It’ll reinforce in you that you’ve chosen the right path.
• I can’t stress this enough. BE HONEST, HAVE INTEGRITY, and play fair with every person you come in contact with now and throughout your life.
• ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING! Be prepared to work
harder than you’ve ever worked.
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CASCIA HALL chRONICLE