You won’t see his name on a ballot, but High Point University alumnus Rich Davis makes his living on the campaign trail.
The 1991 graduate (pictured center above with U.S. Senator Mark Udall of Colorado to his right) is co-owner of the strategic communications firm Dixon/Davis Media in Washington, D.C. The firm is a Democratic media-consulting and advertising agency, producing award-award winning advertising for clients including Obama for America 2008 and 2012; U.S. Senators Kay Hagan (NC), Claire McCaskill (MO) and Kirsten Gillibrand (NY); Governors Kathleen Sebelius (KS) and Martin O’Malley (MD); members of congress from all over the country; and organizations like the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the Democratic Governors Association and the California Teachers Association. They also assist clients with earned-media strategies, manage crisis communications, provide media training and draft various communications including speeches and press releases.
“I am humbled to work for an incredible group of elected officials and candidates, and am fulfilled to work in a profession where no day is the same, the stakes are always high and I’m surrounded by committed and talented people,” says Davis.
Davis’ love of politics had a bittersweet beginning at HPU after a knee injury ended any future he had playing soccer.
“I really missed the competition of the sport,” says Davis. “But I discovered that politics is one of the few professions where there is a definitive point of sale. You either win or you lose on Election Day.”
In a way, it was perfect timing. The 1988 presidential campaign was beginning to take shape, and Davis got the political bug; thanks in part to professors exposing him to the different career opportunities politics had to offer.
“I’d always been a Democrat, and the first Bush v. Dukakis Presidential Debate was scheduled in Winston-Salem — so I volunteered with the Dukakis campaign in North Carolina. I loved the pace, the competition, the feeling I was contributing to something important that I believed in — and got my first inkling that life as a campaign operative was something one could do as a career.”
In 1990, Davis interned with the Democratic National Committee, returned to HPU in the fall and worked on Harvey Gantt’s campaign against Sen. Jesse Helms and eventually Davis was asked to run a field office. The experience was invaluable. He says he’ll never forget the summer intern luncheon with then DNC chair, Ron Brown.
“I was from the smallest school, and one of only two interns in my department who weren’t from the Ivy League. I was really proud to represent High Point University in that way.”
He says he never would have been able to balance it all if it weren’t for the support of his professors.
“I was nurtured and mentored by dedicated faculty members who encouraged me to work on campaigns while a student at High Point, and recognized early on just how serious I was about trying to make politics my career.”
Davis is doing what he can to return the favor. Despite his busy schedule, he takes time to speak to HPU communication and political science students when they visit Washington, D.C., and he’s encouraged to see the students so politically involved.
“They’re engaged and ask really thoughtful questions,” says Davis.
The best advice he can give them? Follow their passion and turn it into a career.
“The path isn’t always obvious, but if you work hard you can make a living doing what you love.”
Davis says he’s excited to see both the physical and academic changes around campus.
“When Dr. Qubein came in, he created a clear and simple mission statement. ‘Extraordinary Education. Inspiring Environment. Caring People.’ You can see and feel that mission statement in everything HPU does. It’s in the walls.”