Anniston, AL – The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs is pleased to announce that Commissioner Kent Davis will be hosting an informative and engaging meeting with veterans and community members. The event will take place at the Jim and Shirley Justice Center, also known as the Calhoun County Democratic HQ located at 812 Noble Street, Anniston, AL 36201, on Friday, November 10th at 10:30 am.
The primary focus of this gathering is to provide a platform for veterans and community members to interact with Commissioner Kent Davis, ask questions, and share their thoughts and concerns. To make the meeting even more enjoyable, a light lunch will be served. To help with event preparations, attendees are encouraged to email [email protected] if they plan to attend. However, even if you can’t confirm your attendance in advance, you are still welcome to join the event.
Commissioner Kent Davis assumed his role as the seventh Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs on February 19, 2019. In this capacity, he oversees the agency’s operations, coordinates mission execution, and supervises around 1,200 state and contractor employees across 70 facilities throughout Alabama. Additionally, Commissioner Davis manages an annual agency budget exceeding $190 million and administers state benefits and services for approximately 400,000 Alabama Veterans and their families.
Commissioner Davis has a rich and diverse background. He was born in Montgomery and grew up in various cities, including Atlanta and New Orleans. A National Merit Scholar, he attended Louisiana State University (LSU) on an academic scholarship and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1985.
His journey in the military began when he enlisted in the Navy Reserve while attending college. After graduating from LSU, he was commissioned as an active-duty Navy officer. He served on the battleship USS MISSOURI (BB-63), where he deployed to the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq War. Subsequently, he served aboard the aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72), participating in deployments to the Persian Gulf and Somalia.
After leaving active-duty Navy in 1994, Commissioner Davis attended law school on the GI Bill. He completed his Juris Doctor degree (magna cum laude) in 1998 at Georgia State University Law School in Atlanta. During this time, he also served in the Navy Reserve.
In 1998, Commissioner Davis rejoined active military duty with the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps as a trial counsel and ethics attorney. He eventually left active duty, resumed his role in the Navy Reserve, and worked full-time at the law firm of King & Spalding in Atlanta. He was assigned to various commands, including U.S. Central Command, U.S. Joint Forces Command, the U.S. Sixth Fleet, and the Navy Office of Information at the Pentagon.
In his civilian career, Commissioner Davis joined the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after the 9/11 attacks, where he served for 14 years. He held various roles, including working as a staff attorney for Secretary Tom Ridge and teaching law at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Brunswick, Georgia. In 2006, he was transferred to the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) in Anniston, Alabama, where he served as Senior Legal Counsel and Deputy Superintendent.
Commissioner Davis retired from the military in 2016 after nearly 31 years in uniform. He also served as the Director of Economic Development and City Manager of Anniston for nearly two years. In late 2017, he became the Director of Communication and Outreach at Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base.
Throughout his career, Commissioner Davis has received numerous military and civilian awards and has published scholarly works in legal journals, college textbooks, and defense publications across the nation.
Commissioner Davis is married to Lieutenant Commander Lisa Davis, USN (Retired), and together they have two children.
The upcoming event offers a unique opportunity for veterans and community members to engage with Commissioner Kent Davis and gain insights into his vast and impressive career, all while sharing their concerns and ideas. This gathering promises to be a valuable experience for those in attendance.
