Charities Board President Transitions to New Role

By Irene Lagan
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 2/6/03)

For more than 10 years, Peter Davis has led behind-the-scenes efforts to secure services for the poor and needy of the Arlington Diocese. Davis, who will soon retire from his post as president of the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities, has served on the board in varying capacities since 1991.

"It’s amazing how much good gets done when no one cares who gets the credit," said Davis. "I am quoting one of the associate directors, Michael O’Rourke, but that is the spirit of Catholic Charities."

With a combined staff of 100 people, Catholic Charities served over 40,000 people throughout the Arlington Diocese last year. For Davis, who considers himself more "a manager than a doer," the success of the agency’s programs and services is a result of the combined efforts of volunteers, employees, board members and support from the diocese. "Catholic Charities is about helping people regardless of race, religion or creed," he said. "Our aim is to serve people, and everything we do behind the scenes is a means to that end."

During his 12-year tenure on the board, Davis has been instrumental in expanding the scope of programs and services that are offered and in making sure all CCDA programs are fully accredited. When he began serving as treasurer of the board in 1991, Catholic Charities had an operating budget of $1.5 million a year. Currently, CCDA operates on a budget of $5 million. While Davis credits the agency’s success to the generosity of others who "share the same Christian values and who are dedicated to the growth and development of people," his expertise in effectively developing and managing non-profit programs cannot be underestimated.

In his professional life, Davis’ career has centered on social concerns and developing programs for the underprivileged across the United States and abroad. In 1965, Davis went to work for the USAID’s Latin America program with a political science degree in International Politics. Since that time, he has worked in numerous countries and throughout the U.S. to improve health care, trading, housing, community services and education programs.

"I have worked in almost every state in the union and in 69 countries during my career," Davis said. "I have spent lots of time in barrios and ghettos, pockets of rural poverty in Appalachia, in coal fields and in other places. Most of my efforts have been spent helping people to secure rights, gain access to services, developing education programs, health programs and other programs to help people improve."

In addition to direct, hands-on experience, Davis has extensive experience in managing programs and hundreds of volunteers. When Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1968, Davis was responsible for hundreds of VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) volunteers in an eight state region, 60 of whom were in Washington, D.C., during the rioting.

After leaving USAID more than 30 years ago, Davis became one of the founders of Development Associates, Inc, an Arlington-based social science research organization that helps numerous institutions and organizations develop programs.

"I’ve worked with people all my life, although less directly in recent years," he said. "For instance, in January and March of last year, Development Associates trained 70,000 people in the Ukraine to be poll workers in what turned out to be the most democratic election that country has ever had."

Currently, Development Associates is hosting groups from 14 different African countries to train them in the use of food engineering techniques. "Many countries reject aid because of fears that biotechnology and genetic engineering causes food poisoning. With proper information, people in those countries are able to make better informed decisions," Davis said.

Davis first became involved with Catholic Charities at the instigation of his wife Judy, who served on the Charities Ball committee more than 20 years ago. Then-Arlington Bishop Thomas J. Welsh asked some of the ladies involved with Catholic Charities to organize a ball in order to raise money. The Ball, which is still run by volunteers, is now a major annual event and a principle fundraiser for Catholic Charities.

When Arlington Bishop John R. Keating appointed Davis to the board of directors in 1991, his expertise as a manager and developer of large service organizations was badly needed. After serving as treasurer and vice president of the board for several years, Davis was appointed president in 1996.

"At that time, the dioceses was a new, young diocese and there was a heavy demand for services without the resources we needed to meet all the needs," Davis said. "So, we went to work in getting things managed as well as possible. We implemented strategic planning, as well as long and short term budgeting. Today, we are managed at the highest level of private sector organizations, but with the principles of the Church and the best interests of people. Eighty-nine percent of our funds are used in direct services."

In addition to children’s services, elderly services, homelessness and housing programs, emergency assistance, family services, Hogar Hispano and prison ministry, Catholic Charities was entrusted with funds to assist victims of Sept. 11. "Bishop Loverde asked us to manage the Sept. 11 funds," Davis said. "We are very proud of the fact that we were given charge of well over $1 million, and every single dime was given to people who needed help in keeping body and soul together as a direct result of Sept. 11."

Davis said that in addition to a superb board, staff and volunteers, the success of Catholic Charities has been due in large part to the support and dedication of Bishop Loverde. "The bishop has been extraordinarily generous with both time and resources," he said. "When we have asked for anything, he has never refused, and he has visited and blessed all of our offices."

Although Davis plans on stepping down from his role as president of the board in February, he will continue to serve on the board to ensure that the transition proceeds smoothly. Dr. Linda McMahon, vice president of Marymount University, who currently serves as the board's vice president, will officially assume the role of president on Feb.10.

"It is time for someone else to have the opportunity to serve," Davis said. "I am not tired and lacking in commitment, but I believe that change is a good thing." 

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