Mayor
Donald G. Davis, 36 , is the mayor of Snow Hill located in eastern North Carolina. He was born and raised in Snow Hill. As an adolescent, he cropped tobacco to help his family make ends meet. Don learned three important values early in life—hard work, educational excellence, and passion for people. He eventually entered the United States Air Force, but returned to make a difference in his home community. Ebony magazine selected him as one of the “50 Young Leaders of Tomorrow.” He was featured in its 50th anniversary issue. Many have labeled Don as an “up and rising star.”
In 2001, Don, at the age 30, was elected the first African American and youngest mayor in the 173-year history of Snow Hill. Since this election, he has brought progressive leadership to the Snow Hill community. In 2005, he was re-elected mayor with 86 percent of the votes. Under his leadership, Don has worked hard to bring meaningful change for every day people. Residents of Snow Hill have experienced enormous growth especially, in the areas of quality affordable housing, street resurfacing, recreation, community activities, community revitalization, housing rehabilitation, downtown revitalization, historic preservation, beautification, civic engagement, and strategic planning. Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina League of Municipalities representing District 4, including Wilson, Pitt, Greene, Lenoir, Wayne, and Johnston Counties. In 2005, North Carolina Governor Mike Easley appointed Don to serve as a member of the North Carolina Code Officials Qualification Board. He also served as a member of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation Advisory Panel. Don was recently appointed to serve as a member of the East Carolina University Board of Visitors.
Don is a 1994 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences degree. He graduated from Central Michigan University with a Master of Science in Administration degree with a concentration in general administration and East Carolina University with a Master of Arts in Sociology degree with a concentration in social issues in regional development. Don also holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree with a concentration in higher education administration from East Carolina University.
From 1998-2001, Don served as an assistant professor of Aerospace Studies and commandant of cadets in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 600. He taught military history, national security affairs, and leadership courses. He was selected as the “Outstanding Instructor of the Year.” Don served as a lecturer in the Department of Sociology at East Carolina University between 2001-2007. Currently, Don serves as a sociology instructor at Lenoir Community College and Pitt Community College. He teaches the following courses: Introduction to Sociology, Social Problems, Social Diversity, and Marriage and Family. In 2004, East Carolina University and Lenoir Community College presented Don with the Teaching Award for outstanding instruction.
Don served eight years active duty in the United States Air Force. He had a regular commission and was promoted to the rank of captain. Don completed selective assignments and had a distinguished military career. Initially he was assigned to the United States Air Force Academy as an admissions advisor. He was reassigned to the 89th Airlift Wing as a services officer at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. As chief of the Plans and Force Management Flight, he was responsible for maintaining a 26-person readiness team and ensuring their preparation to respond within 48 hours to world crisis. Don also administered the base mortuary program. He was deployed to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware to administer mortuary services to the 33 victims of the CT-143 aircraft mishap involving the late Secretary of Commerce Ronald Brown. He was selected as the 89th Services Squadron “Company Grade Officer of the Year.”
He served as an executive officer in a 900-person organization that was responsible for administering services to a military community of over 120,000 people with the responsibility of over $14 million in non-appropriated revenue and $7 million in appropriate funds. While at Andrews Air Force Base, Don served as a protocol flight line duty officer. In this position he was responsible for managing Air Force One and Air Force Two operations during the Clinton/Gore administration. He also provided services for various foreign heads of state, congressional delegations, and members of the United Nations.
Don has completed courses in the commissioned lay pastor program in the Presbyterian Church United States of America through the Presbytery of New Hope. He has been called into the ministry for nearly five years. In 2003, he provided pastoral support at Saint James Presbyterian Church in Snow Hill. He cares for people, and is a person of high integrity.
He is married to Yuvonka Shawnte Batts and has two sons, Ryan and Justin.
E-Mail: davisd@snowhillnc.com
(Current as of December 1, 2007)