George Davis, II

George L. Davis, II has been a problem solver, chief strategist, and effective communicator serving in the public, private, and non-profit sectors over the last 30 years.  Spanning the diverse fields of public safety and health, government, mining and minerals, economic development and community revitalization, and climate security, George has worked as a thought leader and strategic partner to improve the quality of life within the State of Michigan.

As the current Director of Security and Public Safety at the Detroit Salt Company (DSC), which owns and operates the historic underground Detroit Salt Mine, George directs the public affairs portfolio comprised of federal, state, and local government relations, community outreach and sustainable development initiatives, and media relations for the company.  The public safety group he leads handles DSC’s relationships with local law enforcement and fire officials, its Corporate Security teams, and Homeland Security. He serves as the company’s Facility Security Officer to the US Coast Guard for DSC Maritime Operations.

Certified as a professional miner through the U.S. Department of Labor-Mine Safety and Health Administration, George is one very few African American mining executives in the United States. He is a member of the Geological Society of America, the Michigan Geological Basin Society. a member of the Energy and Environment Committee of the Detroit Regional Chamber, a former board member of the Michigan Mining Association, and a board member of the Oakwood Heights Business Association.

Before joining the private sector, George served as Deputy Group Executive to City of Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer, where he led strategic initiatives targeting illegal dumping, abandoned cars, and hazardous material spills for the City of Detroit. He also served as a Public Policy Analyst for the Detroit City Council, where he provided analysis on environmental initiatives, including brownfield development, air quality, and other efforts of the Department of Environmental Affairs. He also served as a Project Manager for the City of Detroit’s Empowerment Zone and its environmental programs. and the Project/Outreach Coordinator with the Legislative Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan.

He is a Past-President of the Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision, Former Chair of the Detroit Climate Action Committee Business and Industry Work Group, a founding member of the Detroit 2030 Coalition.

In the area of climate security, George is a Search and Rescue (SAR) professional, serving as the Emergency Manager for the Safety and Technical Rescue Association (SATRA).  He has coordinated several major SAR operations including a mine rescue in Peru, restoration of a functioning hospital during Hurricane Rita in Texas, confined space rescues during Hurricane Wilma in Florida, and 117 rescues during Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

During his tenure at SATRA, George founded the Civil Affairs Division to provide coordination with local assets while the rescue team is deployed in forward areas.  This division was responsible for strategic planning, communications, weather and geologic analysis, public information, and humanitarian assistance.

George is a SKYWARN Weather Spotter for the National Weather Service (NWS) and assists in storm data collection for thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hazardous winter weather events.

As a thought leader in climate and security, George maintains affiliations with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Planetary Security Initiative, and the Center for Climate and Security.

He founded Safe and Secure Detroit, Inc., a think tank that develops current messaging for public safety education and engages community volunteers around climate security matters. This organization has produced news articles, public service announcements, op-eds, magazine columns, podcasts, social media posts, workshops, and a broadcast radio program.

George is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where he studied political science as an undergraduate and educational policy as a grad student. He is accredited as a Professional Emergency Manager (PEM) for natural disasters through FEMA and the Michigan State Police. He has completed coursework through the Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) at the Naval Post Graduate School, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center at Texas A&M, the Market Environmentalism Academy of the American Conservation Coalition, and the Great Lakes Homeland Security Conference. He is a graduate of the Leadership Detroit Class XXII.

In his spare time, he is an Assistant Football Coach at Cranbrook High School, an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Board President of the Crescendo Detroit music program, and a Board Trustee at the Detroit Cristo Rey High School.

In his personal life, he is father to two adult children.  His hobbies include music, writing essays and poetry, studying foreign policy and military affairs, and linguistics.