Delta Chi – Knight Errant – Fall 2023

6 KNIGHT ERRANT | DELTA CHI EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
Impact Report: Leadership
Reed Davis, Appalachian State ‘02
Delta Chi has long been heralded as an experience where leaders are forged and friendships
are born. Throughout its history, we’ve witnessed countless tales of members stepping up,
embracing challenges, and setting benchmarks.
Reed Davis stands amongst this lineage of trailblazers. A proud alumnus of Appalachian
State, Reed perfectly personifies the spirit of brotherhood, the tenets of leadership, and
unwavering fidelity to Delta Chi.
In 2002, Reed completed his studies at Appalachian State University with a double major
in Finance and Banking and Computer Information Systems and a minor in Psychology.
Beyond his commendable educational background, he remained dedicated to Delta Chi
throughout his undergraduate years, and then into his early professional career, and beyond.
During his freshman year, Reed got to know one of the Delta Chi brothers, Jonathan
Stovall, Appalachian State ‘02, while living in the same residence hall. Reed, a marching
band member, had to stay on campus for a Thanksgiving weekend football game while his
family traveled elsewhere. Jonathan, as soon as he learned that, in the spirit of friendship,
invited Reed to his family’s home for Thanksgiving dinner. That gesture cemented their
friendship and Reed’s connection with Delta Chi. “Jonathan showed me what true friendship,
leadership, and fraternity was all about. By sophomore year, when I got invited to
join Delta Chi, I jumped at it,” Reed recalls.
Beyond their collegiate years at Appalachian State, Reed’s and Jonathan’s dedication to
Delta Chi has persisted. Post-graduation, they both joined Delta Chi’s Headquarters staff
as Leadership Consultants. Their professional collaboration within Delta Chi further
solidified a friendship that remains strong to this day. Reed made significant strides
during his time on staff with Delta Chi. Under the supervision of Executive Director
Emeritus Ray Galbreth, Missouri ‘69, Reed effectively utilized the leadership competencies
he honed during his undergraduate years. “Ray and the directors trained us and
sent us out on the road. We learned so much from him.” Reed also served as the Director
of Expansion for two years, working with many alumni and staff members who remain
some of his closest friends today, including Rusty Williams, Georgia Southern ’05, who is
Godfather to Reed’s youngest daughter and several others from that group on staff, as well
as mentors like Jim Marascio, Bryant ’93. “My time on staff was incredible,” Reed recalls,
“and I’m fortunate to have many great friendships with Delta Chis from App State and
other chapters.”
Reed commented, “My role at Delta Chi laid the groundwork for my subsequent professional
path. The skills and experiences I gained proved invaluable as I transitioned into
the broader corporate arena.” Reed’s capabilities were quickly recognized by Truist Bank
(formerly BB&T), where he has been a valuable asset for over 17 years. Rising from the
ranks of College Recruiting and traditional Human Resource roles, Reed’s current position
as Senior Human Capital Enablement Partner and Senior Vice President reflects his dedication
and skill set.
Drawing from his rich experience, Reed shared some valuable insights about leadership.
“When you delegate, trust is crucial. Accept the outcomes and provide constructive feedback.
Your job should be to empower those you work with to do their job. Bad news doesn’t
get better with time. It does not make a bad situation better to wait it out. Address the
issue and fix it, if possible. Otherwise, move on and learn from it. And most importantly,
always celebrate the victories of others. Those in your professional and personal life have
successes, and you should absolutely celebrate those! There is nothing more fulfilling than
seeing those around you succeed.”
Continued