The man sitting in the chair beside me, gently tossing a Greenville Drive baseball into the air as we talk, is not what you might expect from a high-powered corporate figure. There’s no endless cell phone ringing, no stopping every five minutes to check an e-mail, not even an overly ostentatious office. Rick Davis isn’t that kind of leader. Instead, he’s the kind of leader who aims to make whoever he happens to be talking to the sole focus of his attention; he’s the kind of leader who doesn’t mind “putting in the elbow grease” on day-to-day operations; he’s the kind of leader who’s always thinking about how he can make the workplace an enjoyable place to be. When he stepped into his role as the managing shareholder at Elliott Davis, he didn’t do so with the anticipation of power and prestige, but instead with a desire to further strengthen the firm’s team mentality, ensuring each member realizes their role and importance to the future of Elliott Davis. He had a vision of growth and progress and a strong desire to make Elliott Davis a true friend to the Greenville community. And he’s doing just that – and more.
Rick Davis didn’t grow up in the city he looks out at from his fifth floor office on Broad Street, though he is a native South Carolinian. Davis grew up in the small town of Bishopville where he says he had a pretty run-of-the-mill childhood. It was during these early formative years, though, that he learned leadership skills through his involvement in the student government and the importance of teamwork during his high school football days. It was his high school football coach who gave him some words of wisdom that still ring true today, “Where would you rather be?” A simple, yet thought-provoking question, Davis says it always reminds him to make the best of every opportunity that comes his way – a principle he wholeheartedly brings into his management style today.
He left Bishopville to attend Clemson University where he initially was accepted into the engineering program. After “bouncing around” in a few different fields, Davis embraced his love of the internal workings of the business world and finally decided to pursue a degree in accounting. Upon his graduation in 1984, Davis joined Elliott Davis and began working in the firm where he hopes to remain for the duration of his career.
Elliott Davis shareholder Ralph Kellar was at the firm when Davis joined and has witnessed first-hand his rise into the top management ranks. “I’ve seen a lot of young people come through this firm over the years, but the first time I saw Rick I thought to myself, ‘This guy’s got what it takes to succeed,’” says Kellar. “Rick’s always had a clear understanding of the accounting business and how to render the best in client service. His emphasis on teamwork and the establishment of a targeted business plan going forward has resulted in significant growth for the firm during his leadership.”
As the Elliott Davis managing shareholder since 2007, Davis is responsible for setting the strategic vision of the firm and ensuring that is accurately conveyed to all team members. He works with other shareholders to implement various tactics designed to accomplish the goals established. “We define the direction in which we move forward and we ensure that every employee has a thorough understanding of how that is accomplished,” says Davis. “It is important that everyone realizes we are working toward a common goal of the best-in-service to our client roster and that everyone remains fully engaged in the process.”
He adds, “At the end of the day, I want to know I’ve spent my time in ways that ensure Elliott Davis is going to be a better firm tomorrow than it was today,” says Davis. “I am constantly watching for opportunities to improve the skill sets and the total workplace experience for all team members, as well as initiate new programs focused on client service.”
Davis takes his drive and compassion beyond the Elliott Davis walls to the Greenville community where he serves on various civic and economic development boards, including the Palmetto Society for the United Way; the Foundation for the S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities; the Greenville County Museum of Art; and the Senior Advisory Board for the Clemson University College of Business and Behavioral Sciences in addition to his most recent appointment to the S.C. Chamber of Commerce. It’s apparent that he spends his time outside of the office working in the areas that hold a special place in his heart: the arts, the less fortunate and the continued improvement of the downtown area. “As a firm, we have always been committed to the arts in our area, as they are the catalyst by which we all thrive, helping to increase the quality of life which in turns help us retain talented young minds here in the Upstate,” says Davis. “We also have a long history of supporting the United Way. I am tremendously inspired by individuals from all walks of life who face challenges head-on and are able to overcome adversity.”
Perhaps Davis’s strongest point of influence, he says, was found a little closer to home. “I have to say that my father has always been a source of inspiration for me. His determination and strength of character have had a profound impact in my life,” says Davis. “The last few years have brought him face-to-face with multiple health issues that might have easily taken down a weaker man. But not him – he’s tough as nails. He bounces back time and time again, refusing to let anything keep him down. It’s 100% due to his positive attitude and desire to live life to the fullest.”
Likewise, Davis says there were many along his journey at Elliott Davis who helped shape his career and the type of leadership he brings to the table. Buck Welling, one of the firm’s founding members and also a well-known and beloved figure in the Greenville community, exemplified leading with integrity and heart. “Buck Welling was the epitome of what a businessperson should be. He was hard-working and genuine in his business dealings and he approached everyone with that same friendly smile,” says Davis.
Perhaps one of his most inspirational moments happened during an impromptu conversation with Bill Kellett, another of the founding members, when Davis was only first starting out in the firm. He asked Kellett for change for a $20 bill to which Kellett replied, “Son, I’ll change your life.”
“You know, we shared a little laugh when he told me that, but here I am, 27 years later, and I still remember that conversation like it was yesterday. I didn’t fully realize then the truth in that statement, but I do now. He was a founding member of this firm, and his career made a tremendous impression on me. Now I’m the Elliott Davis managing shareholder, and I realize the awesome opportunity I have in this role to affect the same kind of impact on many of our current team members. It’s a big responsibility but one I’m honored to have.”
To hear some of Elliott Davis’ younger team members tell it, Davis is already making a big impression on the future generations of the firm. Drew Rogers, a manager in the tax department, has been with the firm for five years and says during that time, he’s seen a tremendous amount of targeted growth under Davis’s leadership and witnessed his obvious passion for Elliott Davis and the team.
“I first met Rick during the recruitment process, and I immediately felt at ease with him. He was approachable and relatable – I felt like I was talking to an old friend,” says Rogers. “We have a lot of things in common – both from small towns with similar interests – and I look at his career and see that it is possible to achieve great things through hard work, drive and dedication. He has shown that people can join a firm and stick with it for the long haul, working their way up in the ranks and eventually taking on more and more leadership responsibilities. That is truly an inspiration to me.”
Rogers continues, saying that Davis earns loyalty and respect from the team because of his willingness to work in the best interests of the employees and really get to know them as individuals. “He always takes the time to stop you in the hall and chat with you about sports, family or business. It’s obvious he has respect for all of us and desires us to be happy working here. With the culture Rick has helped to establish, it’s no wonder Elliott Davis is consistently selected as one of the top places to work in Greenville.”
Despite his success, Davis maintains that the Elliott Davis family has been his backbone throughout his career. “I can hardly believe I’ve been named Business Person of the Year. I’m just doing my job to the best of my ability and working to keep Elliott Davis making positive strides into the future,” says Davis. “I’m nothing without the people who work here alongside me every day. I do my part, but I can only do it because of all their support. I am blessed to have each of these people as a part of the team.”
Outside of the office, Davis enjoys rooting on his kids at their extracurricular activities and sporting events. And, more often than not, you can find him in the kitchen, pursuing his love of fine cooking. “I love to try new things and think I’m pretty innovative in the kitchen – I like to put my own flair into recipes,” says Davis. “My wife, Katherine, and I enjoy entertaining so I take every opportunity to cook for family and friends. We have a tradition of toasting the meal by saying, ‘no one is eating better than us tonight!’”