Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 29, 1994 TAG: 9411100021
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S18 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CLAUDINE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
So during a news conference when former Rep. Caldwell Butler announced that Davis and the late John W. Hancock Jr. were this year's inductees into the Junior Achievement Award Business Hall of Fame, Davis grinned, said a few words and hurried away.
Davis, however, did manage to convey how special the award was to him.
"I really appreciate this award because it is hometown. I have received a few other awards from Dr. Pepper and some other places. But this is our hometown, and I am so proud of it, I just don't know how to express myself."
Junior Achievement established the hall of fame in 1990 to honor champions of free enterprise. The inductees, called laureates, are nominated by business leaders. All of the laureates are distinguished by their accomplishments in business as well as their community service, said Butler, who is honorary chairman of the hall of fame.
The past laureates are G. Frank Clement, Junius Blair Fishburn, George B. Cartledge Sr., John P. Fishwick, Sigmund E. Davidson, Arthur Taubman, Horace G. Fralin and S. Lewis Lionberger.
Davis, 90, came to Roanoke in 1936 after a friend gave him a stake in a Dr Pepper franchise. He later earned the reputation for achieving the highest per capita sales of Dr Pepper in the United States.
In 1946, Davis opened the first Frito plant east of the Mississippi River. Ten years later, he sold the Washington company to H.W. Lay, who subsequently merged with the Frito company of Dallas creating Frito Lay Inc.
Known as the "ultimate" saleman in business circles, Davis still thrives on making deals.
"Lots of people told me 40 years ago that I'd kill myself from hard work, and now they are all dead," Davis said. "And whatever effort I put in it, has been a pleasure. I really mean that."
"The most wonderful thing about this is the fact that I got it, and more especially because it's from hometown people," Davis said. "I know every person who received the award ahead of me, and I feel real humble to be even in their class."
Hancock, who died in March, founded Roanoke Electric Steel in 1955. He took on various projects including the creation of Center in the Square arts complex and Explore Park, the living-history park in Roanoke County.
Hancock also was noted for his contributions to education. He donated the $1 million necessary to establish an endowed faculty chair in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech.
Also known for his role in integrating downtown lunch counters, Hancock created a biracial committee that met secretly to solve racial troubles.
The induction ceremonies for the hall of fame are held at the local, state and national levels. The induction of Davis and Hancock will be during a reception and awards dinner Oct. 18 at the Roanoke Airport Marriott. The reception begins at 6 with dinner following at 7. Tickets are $100 per person or $900 per table.
by CNB