SUMMER 2020
BETA ETA
PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY
Bob and Bonnie Davis
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY BETA ETA ALUMNI CHAPTER
We recently caught up Bob and had the opportunity to discuss FSU athletics. Bob, from an organizational standpoint, the Seminole Booster's affiliation with FSU has changed. Can you describe that change and how it has impacted or changed the role of the Boosters?
A Leader in FSU Athletics
Bob Davis '72 Bob Davis (BH464) is an integral part of FSU athletics through his role with the Seminole Boosters, Inc. Bob joined the Booster's Board of Directors in 2015 and put his accounting skills to work shortly thereafter as chair of the Booster's audit committee. Bob successfully led the Booster's efforts in recovering all funds from a significant theft and implemented internal controls to safeguard the Booster's future. For his efforts, Bob received the Godfrey Smith Award of Excellence after only two years of service with the Boosters. Since then, Bob was elected to the Booster's Executive Committee where he served as Treasurer and currently serves as Board Chairman. Prior to Bob's tenure with the Booster's, he and his wife Bonnie had both retired in 2008 from successful careers. Bob had started his own accounting firm in 1984 and Bonnie was an owner of a floor covering distribution company. Bob was also a financial planner and securities dealer. Bob and Bonnie are blessed with two daughters. Ashley is a cytotechnologist at Florida Hospital in Orlando, and Lindsey, who received her undergraduate degree and her law degree from FSU, is in-house counsel at Signature Flight Support with U.S. operations based in Orlando.
The Florida State University Athletic Association (FSUAA) was set up as an umbrella organization over the Athletic Department and the Seminole Boosters. It has had a very positive effect on both organizations. As the Chairman of the Boosters I am also on the board of FSUAA. The other board members are the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the University President, the Director of Athletics and an at large member selected by the President. Board meetings are held regularly, and it brings the entire decision-making group together to discuss finances, budgets, capital projects and fundraising. Everybody now has a voice in the decisionmaking process. If athletics needs a new facility, FSUAA allows us to plan together. We discuss timing, cost, fundraising requirements together. It has made the entire University alignment better. In the past the holistic view of a decision wasn't as easy. Obviously there has been a lot of excitement around the hiring of Coach Norvell. While it is tough to judge a coach before the team takes the field but what is your perception of the coach and staff at this point? I am a huge Coach Norvell fan. I was fortunate to fly up to Memphis and bring Coach Norvell, his wife Maria, and their daughter Mila to Tallahassee to introduce them to the Seminole Nation. Coach Norvell is a man of integrity and is very detailed oriented. We get to talk fairly often, and I am very impressed. What you see is the real Mike Norvell. He lives his life to get better every day and our student-athletes appear to be all in. The new coaches are young, very smart, great communicators and hungry. When you add Ron Dugans and Odell Haggins to the group, I would put our staff up against any in the country. We have underperformed the past few years, but I am confident that time is over. I honestly think you will see one of the best defensive teams in the country wearing garnet and gold this year. continued page 2