Horace A. Davis

Horace A. Davis' journey to leadership in a multimillion-dollar company began when he stepped into the electronic engineering technology program at the South Campus of what was then Tarrant County Junior College. 

The TCJC cooperative job program with Texas Electric Service Co., forerunner to Oncor allowed Davis to alternate semesters attending classes and working. His full-time employer paid for his tuition and fees. He earned an income while gaining practical experience and an Associate of Science Degree in Engineering Technology. 

Davis learned the value of education from his parents. His mother attended Texas College, his father, Prairie View A&M College and was a graduate of the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. "Clearly, (higher education) was necessary to achieve my desired quality of life and to prepare for raising a family," said Davis. 

After seven years with TESCO, he seized the opportunity to expand his career by combining his technical skills and business expertise. 

"My defining moment came when I was tasked with the project management responsibility for a global recall of our flagship product," said Davis. "The project was successfully completed 12 months earlier than expected, allowing the company to maintain dominant market share and avoid a huge black eye." 

Davis' efforts were rewarded the next year when he was promoted to regional sales manager for the Western United States, leading staff responsible for several multimillion-dollar accounts.     

Now vice president of sales for North America for Megger, a designer and manufacturer of electrical test and measurement equipment for the electrical power industry, Davis, a self-described underachiever in high school, credits TCC with providing "organizational abilities along with verbal and written communication skills" that have helped him succeed.

- By Rita L.B. Parson