THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 21, 1996 TAG: 9601190273
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: 20 Questions
LENGTH: Medium: 99 lines
COLIN R. ``RANDY'' DAVIS, executive director of the Suffolk division of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, had planned to retire at the end of December.
His wife was leaving her post at the human resources department of Obici Hospital at the same time, but he was persuaded to delay his departure for a month.
The postponement meant he could help organize the chamber's annual volunteer recognition banquet Thursday. He believes Catherine Brinkley, the chamber's program manager and his right-hand assistant, could handle it without him.
``Nobody's indispensable,'' he said.
The banquet is important to kick off the new year in a cohesive manner, Davis believes.
A highlight of the occasion is the presentation of the Athena Award, which is given annually to a woman who has distinguished herself in her career and community.
Delaying his retirement also benefits his wife, the former Sue Hines, by giving her time to prepare for his new-found freedom.
``I'll let her get the house straight,'' Davis said, jokingly.
He's looking forward to relaxing, planning to just kick back and watch TV or visit with their three children and six grand-children.
But Davis, a former member of City Council and the Planning Commission, is still interested in the city's growth. He'll be sure to keep an eye on progress - from the easy chair in his den.
What brought you here? My wife, Sue, was born here and grew up here. I came here to be employed by Ferguson Manufacturing Co. in 1952.
Birthdate/hometown: Oct. 18, 1924. Born and raised in Yorktown.
Fondest childhood memory: Probably growing up in an area where you could roam free and not worry about anything and not have to lock your door. You didn't have to worry about the things that children today have to worry about.
Pets: None, at this time. We always had them, but I tell anybody that if they bring a pet home now, it's theirs.
First job/worst job: First: A&P Grocery Store, in the meat department, in Williamsburg where I went to high school. Worst: When I was 14, in the summer, I had to keep the fire going to melt lead and carry the lead to the ditch for a man to seal the water pipe lines.
What do you consider your most important contribution to your career? I don't really think I have one. Just one important contribution is enjoying the work you were doing. A lot of people nowadays don't enjoy what they do.
If you had a choice, what other job would you have pursued? I don't know if I would have pursued any other occupation. I've held numerous jobs but I don't know that I would have changed anything.
Favorite evening activity: Stay at home and watch a lot of sports.
Favorite food/drink: I mostly drink Sprite. I was brought up to eat whatever was there. You didn't ``order'' dinner. I pretty much learned how to eat most anything, except broccoli.
Favorite movies/TV show: I seldom go to the movies. If Hollywood depended on me to make a living, they'd go broke. I think I did see ``The Ten Commandments.''
There's so much violence on TV and I don't care to see that.
Book you wish everyone would read: My father told me one time, ``Be careful. If you give people advice, they might take it.'' It's not a book, but I read ``Reader's Digest'' a lot. There are a lot of good things in there.
Ideal vacation: I guess my ideal vacation would be for people to leave me alone. Right here where I'm living is a pretty good place. I'm not much of a traveler.
I can't resist: I guess my wife would say turning on the TV and watching sports.
If you won the lottery, what would you do/buy? I guess I'd make sure my family was taken care of and my church (St. Paul's Episcopal).
What is the best advice you've been given and by whom? I guess my best advice was what my father always tried to instill in me: ``If you're knocked down, it's up to you whether you get up or lay there and let them trample you.''
What advice would you give to others, particularly those just starting a career? The only advice I could give is don't jump at something, understand what you're getting into and pick something where you will be happy. Don't spend time in a profession you don't want to be in, particularly if you're in it just because your father was in it or your grandfather.
How do you plan to enjoy your retirement? Do I have to do anything? If I'm going to retire, why do I have to plan what I'm going to do?
If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would you be and why? I don't know if I would be anybody else. There might be some people out there who would be who I am.
What achievements are you most proud of? The biggest thing is I've always been - and maybe some would disagree - able to get along with people, knowing when to push and when to back off.
Something you wish to say but haven't: I'm not very bashful about saying things, so I've probably said it all. Having been involved in working with people, particularly on the City Council, I would like to see the different factions of the city get along and push for progress rather than divide. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
KEYWORDS: PROFILE by CNB