Emmett I. Davis Jr., chairman and co-founder of Greenwood engineering firm Davis & Floyd, has passed away..

 Mr. Emmett I. Davis Jr., chairman and co-founder of Greenwood engineering firm Davis & Floyd, and a board member with The Lander Foundation has passed away.

“Emmett Davis was a true pillar of the Greenwood community,” said Lander President Richard Cosentino. “A man of integrity, faith and devotion to his family, he was an extraordinary businessman and a dear friend to our university. We will be forever grateful for his service to and support of Lander and its students.”

Davis earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from The Citadel in 1950. He and business partner Phil Floyd started Davis & Floyd in 1954, and over the past 63 years, the company has grown to become South Carolina’s largest privately owned engineering firm, with 175 employees and five offices across the state.

He was active in many professional and civic organizations, including the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Council of Engineering Companies, which awarded him the Service to the Profession Award in 2008. In 2009, he received the Order of the Palmetto in recognition of his service to the citizens of South Carolina. He was inducted into the South Carolina Business Hall of Fame earlier this year.

In addition to service on The Lander Foundation Board, Davis was a member of Tau Beta Pi’s “Eminent Engineers,” the S.C. Historical Society and the Greenwood County Hall of Fame. He was a Life Trustee of the Independent Colleges and Universities of South Carolina Foundation, as well as director emeritus of Countybank, Greenwood. His previous service roles included director of United Telephone Company; member and chairman of the Self Regional Healthcare Hospital Board; director of the Self Family Foundation; member of the Clemson University Engineering Advisory Board; director/president of The Citadel Development Foundation; and board member/chairman of Erskine College.

Please keep the Davis family in your thoughts at this time.