Art Davis

Chief Operating Officer & CFO,
Memphis River Parks Partnership
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Art Davis is the chief operating officer and CFO for Memphis River Parks Partnership, where he oversees all aspects of operational and financial management for the nonprofit public-private partnership that runs five park districts over six miles of the Memphis riverfront on the Mississippi River.

He earned his bachelor’s in accountancy from the University of Mississippi, then served as VP of finance and operations for women’s retailer Holliday’s Fashions and as director of finance for the nonprofit Memphis Redbirds Baseball Foundation.

He’s had an impressive career managing large projects and big budgets. As chief operating officer for the Children’s Museum of Memphis, he oversaw construction of the $5 million Grand Carousel Pavilion and Ballroom, which was completed $27,000 under budget. As general manager at the Liberty Bowl Stadium and Fairgrounds, he increased the number of events from 65 to 250 a year and increased concessions revenue from $870,000 to $2 million. At the Partnership he’s helped secure $3.7 million in federal EDA grants, $800,000 in state TDEC grants and $3 million in federal government USACE earmark funding. Plus, he’s managed $85.6 million in construction projects – and they’ve all been completed on time and on budget.

Managing large projects means managing large, diverse teams, sometimes with competing priorities. Davis and the team at Memphis River Parks Partnership have recognized a unique skillset required of the people who work in their parks. They’re developing the training and a certification process to ensure success for their people and their parks.

Breakout panelist: Peacemaking & Placemaking